Hip-Hop and the Hustler's Spirit

I was at some panel during the Summer where I heard Nelson George explain why he loves the power that Hip-Hop has in helping us have a good time and express ourselves, however he wants to further use that power to help Black folks get better economically and socially.

I thought, but didn't get to ask- isn't Hip-Hop already doing that to a certain extent? I've heard Dame Dash often defend the dirty lyrics of his artists with the explaination that Roc-a-fella is inspiring the youth to be entrepreneurs and business men. Dame's motives behind his claims may be shady, but I think he's right.

A university study found that Blacks and Hispanics with some graduate level education are the most likely groups to start a new business. Yes, the most likely. Amazingly it's by three times as much as Whites (read the chart on pdf).

That figure is the best example of how deep our music has ingrained the hustler's spirit into the Hip-Hop Generation. How many of those Black and Hispanic guys are writing business plans and humming some random Jay-Z, 50 Cent, or Diddy verse about "getting that money"? How many of them have been inspired by the rags/riches stories that we've heard again and again from our favorite rappers?

Many have suggested that the DIY ethic is another element of Hip-Hop. Who can disagree? It seems that every other rap artist and rap fan has a side hustle- a way to make money outside of the system, whether legal or less than.

And I'm happy to see that trend even carrying over to our educated peoples who are sick of the glass ceilings of the corporate world.

Now, blame that on Hip-Hop.

Comments

[i'm the skwidawd]

I think the statistics are part of the long tradition of "get in where you fit in." Things that work against blacks in business -- cronyism, nepotism, discrimination, racism, educational requirements, ass-kissing, etc. -- can often be avoided by starting a business. Still, it's an amazing statistic and it shows unbelievable resilience and dynamism. It's a much needed piece of good news.

That said, I don't think this is a hip hop entrepreneurial revolution. Black people can succeed with or without hip hop. Nelson George is just trying to get some publicity for his ideas. Black people don't need hip hop or Nelson George to be successful, any more than white people need Kurt Loder or country music to help them be successful.

[Hashim]

'I think the statistics are part of the long tradition of 'get in where you fit in'"

but where does that tradition come from? I've always been told it was immigrants who started businesses while Blacks settled for gov't jobs.

It would be helpful is there were statistics that spanned the last 3 decades so we could see if there's any corelation with the rise of hip-hop hustle talk.

[Omar]

The DIY-attitude is a very big trend in hip hop right now. Compared to the 80s, rappers have diversified into many businesses other than music: clothing, movies, books, liquors/spirits, restaurants, real estate, only to name a few.

[i'm the skwidawd]

Hashim... good question. There has definitely been a big influx of Somalis, Dominicans, etc. But I'm inclined to believe it is primarily an non-immigrant trend. But I could be wrong. Let me do a little digging and get back on this.

[i'm the skwidawd]

Here's one discussing differences between Blacks and Latinos.

http://www.detnews.com/2005/careers/0510/18/B01-302718.htm

[i'm the skwidawd]

Here is the Census Bureau press release.

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/business_ownership/005477.html

[i'm the skwidawd]

That last one, I guess was from 2002, but echoes the trend.

Here is an article from SFGate.com.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/07/29/MNGREDVVKM1.DTL

[Hashim]

thanks for those links man. I'm reading them now.

[reader]

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