As Channel 4 has recently been having a street culture series of programs looking at everything from graffiti to Hip-Hop to all sorts of street sports, I thought I’d look at the 5 most significant Hip-Hop moments to my life. Here is a white working-class lad from Castleford’s view on his greatest Hip-Hop moments of his life:
1. Missy Elliot – Work It
This was the first timberland track I heard and I was a little obsessed with the music video, such good dancing from some very talented people…
2. Beat Freakz
I can’t do street dance but I flipping love watching it, the best crew I have ever seen are Beat Freakz. This clip is from America’s best dance crew on MTV (presented by Mario who is better known as Slater from Save By The Bell). Gasp in awe at just how brilliant they are, even with the sound on mute it’s just so good…I cry watching this, check out the spin at the end when she gets sunglasses and puts them on I mean COME ON!
3. Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip – Thou Shall Always Kill
My mind exploded when I first heard this, mainly a white guy doing spoken word / poetry over some very good beats and talking about so many intelligent things relevant to people in the UK! Been a fan ever since…best line? “thou shall not attend an open mic night…etc” VERY TRUE.
4. Beastie Boys – take the piss out of them selves (again)
Nothing makes me like an artist more when they show to the world they are aware of their position in the grand scheme of things. The Beastie Boys made a very famous video (fight for your right to… Party) and at the time showed underage drinking, lewd acts, gate-crashing parties, and burning a science magazine! So they launched there new album by making a 30 minutes piss take of them visiting their self’s back at that period of time. With a cast of very funny people this is just brilliant – best moment is the cowbell moment…you’ll know what I mean! (warning 30 minutes long (but worth it))
5. Roots Manuva – Witness my Fitness
This is the first rap video I ever took to my heart… video is also genius.
So that’s it for my top 5 but Hip-Hop and the culture that surrounds me continues to influence my life, I might not swagger, make beats in my bedroom, or listen to rap all the time but that’s not to say I dip my head into this flavorsome culture. Hope you enjoyed my little synopsis.
Till next time
Roy Gibson's Blog 