Hurricane Katrina and Hip-Hop

For professional and personal reasons, my daily news consumption is mostly about terchnology and music. I barely watch the evening news because it only seems to be about crime and the weather.

So, being a rainy news dodger, I was late on all the Hurricane Katrina reports. I knew there was flooding in some southern states, however I didn't realize just how devastating it was.

A few days ago, I asked aloud to the news people at SOHH, "I wonder how the artists in that area are doing?" Someone else was already moving on that idea, and within a day they had stories from a handful of rappers who had their bearings together enough to do an interview.

When Bad Boy's Choppa revealed, "A couple of my homies drowned..." the story all of a sudden became real to me. (Read the whole thing here: Hurricane Katrina Strikes: Lil Wayne, Baby, Choppa Hit Hard, Plan to Rebuild) I felt a weight of sadness on me that I couldn't fully understand or shake. I dived into news coverage to get some understanding, which only increased my anxiety, and made me angry at our aloof politicians.

I cried, I prayed with friends, and I donated to the Red Cross (they were the first to help my family when we had a fire, so I trust giving to them). In conversation, I defended the people who had to stay behind in cities like New Orleans, because  reports have said that these were some of the poorest people in those places and had few options on where to go.

I grew up, and I live in Harlem. If my town were ever swept away underwater it would devastate not just my home, but my history and social connections. My barbeshop. My church. The hospital where I was born. My Friday night hang out spot. My old grade school.

I don't know how to end this other than to say I used to think it was silly that some people experience the world through a hip-hop prism. Yet, I didn't connect with the devastation happening in our Gulf states until I heard how it affected some rappers. So maybe that's not so silly.

Comments

[dj mirateck]

Hashim- The fact that you admit this speaks volumes about how people (who are detached from the general Gulf vicinity) are reacting to media coverage of this catastrophic event. It is too easy to ignore and pay no attention to, and the fact that you- a media savvy online veteran- did not realize the extent of the disaster until there was a hip hop related story, says a lot.

This is much bigger than hip hop, and this is much bigger than 9/11. Watching and reading about this is almost too much to bear. That being said, I have the utmost respect for those in the media that are calling out politicans on air about their lack of preparedness and lackluster response.

Did you hear the Mayor of New Orleans give that radio interview? I respect that man, we need more politicans like him- that don't act like politicians and candy coat the situation.

[southern lovin']

How exactly do you immerse yourself in music and not know what is going on in the world? Music is a direct effect of what goes on in the world (ie. the news). True it can be biased, skewed, etc. etc...but you can't be spoon fed all your info. Do some f****** research. The news is a jumping off point. You should be ashamed of yourself for just figuring out that this **** was serious. Despite popular belief the world does not revolve around New York.

[Catalyst]

I do agree that its sad you JUST found out about the devastation, but I can't really be upset about it having been through the same disgust with television news.

Still, there are alternate sources to find out whats going on in the world. Being that you are a Hip-Hop Blogger, did you not realize online news sources are a great alternative to the evening news action movie weather reports?

This isn't really a criticism, I'm just curious of how its possiible that you just found out since you're obviously into 'technology and music'....and are online..alot.

In response to Mirateck's comment, it does speak volumes about those who are detached from the Gulf region...

yet having known the devastion as it unfolded
and then reading how it affected certain artists like (Chopper, Lil Wayne, etc) did make it hit closer to home for me too. This is not because i'm a fan (not into their music at all)...but similar to Americas reaction when Magic, and later Easy E announced they were HIV positive. We knew before of the disease...but it was catapulted into the limelight once it garnered celebrity attention.

[Hashim]

I didn't JUST find out. This is days ago, but days after it got bad.

Every year I hear about hurricanes and floods. I purposely tune that stuff out. This time, a whole city disapears. Now I need to pay attention.

I guess it's more accurate for me to say, I wasn't CONNECTED with the event until I heard about Choppa.

[...{dj}MERSY;one-->//]

WAZZUP ya'll!

Sorry I don't watch the news as it's very depressing! So as HASHIM had stated, I too am very lae in finding out what was going on. I actually found out cuz everyone was talking about it @ my work.

So sad to just turn on the Tv one day and realzie a whole city has been engulfed.

I AM NOT A RACIST, BIAS, ETC. BUT PLEASE EXCUSE ME FOR WHAT I AM ABOUT TO SAY AS I WANT TO KNOW MYSELF:
I here all these songs and black folks/organizations talking about how the GOVERNMENT doens't give a shit about black people and how their efforts are not up to par verus other disasters. BUT, being that I'm not one to come to conclusions right away, I did my research to find both point-of-views and . And here is where I'm confused:...WHY WERE THE INNER CITY CIVILIANS SHOOTING/ATTACKING THE CHOOPERS, NATIONAL GUARDS, etc??? did I miss something?

anyone wanna clear it up...

[Ifasehun]

Look up the
The Pan-Afrikan Hurricane Relief Project:
A chance to support real grassroots organizations that always have served the poor in the Gulf States.

http://www.assatashakur.org/1005.htm

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At

http://upbeat.tk

All of our one dollar beats are sample free and royalty free, these beats can be used for Rap, Hip Hop, R&B, advertising, motion production, sports, games, software, ringtones, and more. All we ask is two things, one if you use these beats for commercial purposes that you give "upbeat.tk" written credit for our production and two not to resell or give away beats without vocals if used for musical purposes. Links to download beats will be sent by e mail after purchase, each beat will be sent as a WAVE Audio File and a MP3 File. When purchased you will have non-exclusive rights to the beat or beats you buy for life. If you have any questions feel free to email us at upbeattk@gmail.com thank you and enjoy.