EDHS Contemporary World Affairs

BrianaV · Veteran Member

Hard Hitting Modern Perspective on Hip Hop Graffiti

MrsCavalluzzi · Guru

I think some of the artistry in the hip-hop culture is truly extraordinary, and some of the best modern offerings - some of the wordplay and mastery of language and literary/cultural references in hip hop music is most impressive and deserving of "props" to the writers :). And, some of the graffiti out there is an extremely sophisticated level of artistry.

Having said that,

* how much concern should we have about some of the messages of hip hop that clearly advocate violence, disrespect for women, drug glorification, etc. - especially since a series of studies indicate a strong possibility that culture influences behavior?

* how much of the joy of graffiti is about the added thrill-seeking of lawbreaking? Which is to say, if communities created "Graffiti-friendly" areas where artists could freely illustrate, would they actually take advantage of it, or would they still be likely to tag other places?

* and seriously, HOW does graffiti get onto freeway overpasses?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!? :)

moniCA92870 · Senior Member

there should be a lot of concern about what hip hop graffiti advocates because since it's out in public, children can be influenced by it at an early age if they are around it a lot. but if they used it in a positive way, it could change people's opinion about it- they might realize that these people who are going around and writing on everything, may not be so bad. i think it would be awesome if we had a certain area for positive graffiti, but whether or not it will stick to those places is a good question. as for the graffiti on the overpasses- i bet they make themselves invisible and then fly above the freeway to write up there.

jacobcorbin · Senior Member

I liek them a lot. Rapping is such a good way to express how you feel in an extremely creative way. People who can feestyle are extremely intelligent in my mind. Graffiti, even though its illegal, is probably one of my favorite forms of art. If your really looking at it, a lot of symbolism is used when creating it and everything used in them have some sort of meaning. I think there should be more of it in art classes or just a class for it.

Ayesha · Veteran Member

i think that hip hop culture is very creative and is definitely a good thing as long as people aren't using it in a bad way, which is what happens often. graffiti is a very interesting and creative art form, and it should definitely be appreciated, but when people break the law by doing it where they shouldn't be, that's not okay.

there should be places where graffiti is allowed so that these artists can express themselves, and other people can admire their work. i think that even if they create places like this where graffiti is allowed, some "rebels" will still do graffiti where it is not allowed, they're just stupid and are ruining for everybody. but there are always people like that.

as for the messages in hip hop about drugs and violence, although it could be dangerous, it is more the listeners' fault than the music artists'. it is up to us to decide what kind of music we listen to, and even if we are in an environment where we cannot choose, it is still our choice to LET that music influence us in positive or negative ways. so i guess we should be concerned, but not too much.

i don't know how it gets onto freeway overpasses, but i've always wondered the same thing Mrs. Cav.

Vanessabug · Senior Member

I like the idea of free illustration. Mr Switzer told my sociology class that when he went to UCSB they put out a giant wall basically for kids to freely "decorate" I do believe that the "artists" of graffiti would take advantage of this but graffiti is also often gang related. in this case i dont think anyone would conside it "art" and the gangsters who are doing it probably dont want to be seen?

and about the freeway overpasses: I am always amazed at the intricate designs on the overpasses! first of all, it must take HOURS to work on something like that
second, how do you do something illegal that openly in the public? and third, i mean really. do they have to like suspend themselves from the top?

KW00D · Senior Member

Personally I don't think there's anything about graffiti that's worth condoning. It's illegal and it's vandalism and personally I don't think it's very artistic

ghan28 · Veteran Member

How do you not call that artistic????

You don't have to draw picasso's to be considered an artist. graffiti is a different way and form of expressing yourself and you should respect that. Even though it's illegal and considered vandalism, graffers are highly respected artists on the STREETS and these people have humongous talent.

-- Edited by ghan28 at 01:18, 2009-03-03

Bam · Senior Member

I love hip-hop it's a way of living and as for grafiti i think its alright for people 2 do it,it's a way of showing your artistic side but for others that do it because their in a gang or crew they shouldn't be doing it.

Luis777 · Senior Member

hip-hop has became really big and its a every day life for alot of people it isnt just the music you listen to its also the way you dress to the way you speak... it has became natural for most people and i think it has its purpose. Graffiti is a way people can show there love for hip-hop and im not saying its ok for them to go and put it on freeways or billboards but if there allowed then why not its art to the hip-hop culture