Thursday, December 07, 2006

S.H.E. will be missed: Eulogy for Hip-Hop

We have gathered here today to witness the passing of a work of art, a creation who would put to shame any who would dare compare themselves to H.E.R., an inspiration for a generation that needed a direction after the death of voices that cried out for freedom and equality. H.E.R.timing was impeccable, born in the Bronx with roots extending back to the Caribbean and further back to the motherland, S.H.E. was influential even in infancy. S.H.E. was the daughter of the activistic, turbulent 60's and the free-loving, indulgent 70's, a perfect union between a celebration of life and a challenge to change it. S.H.E. was multi-faceted; with the speech of kings and paupers, moving with the rhythm of dual wheels of steel in perfect synchronicity, clothed in graffs identifying H.E.R. many tribes, and when S.H.E. danced.....S.H.E. danced in a break that pushed your imagination to the limit and challenged your every convention of what the body could perform. A voice for the hood, S.H.E. was unfettered, unshackled, speaking of the warm city nights, block parties, the everyday struggles, the skill of wordplay and scratching.....the joy of life despite all that the world could deprive of the youth of the streets. S.H.E. was young, free, and naive.
The world has a way of making your grow fast. Hip-Hop was no exception. S.H.E. began to travel, expanding H.E.R. horizons, spreading the gospel of the 5 tenets, crying out in the streets for anyone who would lend an ear and sit at H.E.R. feet to be taught about pride, wisdom, and activism. Along the way, S.H.E. learned from others, new voices, new cadences, new melodies, diverse methods of droppin' science, venturing even into the suburbs to reveal a world to young white privileged children that there exists a world where lights don't always stay on and cereal can be only eaten with water. It was this move that many would later come to regret.....
It was subtle at first, no sign of illness was apparent in H.E.R. Artists outside of the hood began to attempt to have their way with H.E.R. and she gladly obliged, eager to become universal, but they abused her, took her for granted. Normally, S.H.E. would have removed herself from the situation, but Mr. Corporate saw the value in H.E.R. and how every young consumer with mommy and daddy's allowance in hand bum rushed the stores to get their turn with H.E.R. Corporate salivated over the potential, but saw the changes that needed to be made. H.E.R. natural locks wouldn't work, it would need to be pressed and bleached, skin shaded lighter, the Africa medallions put away and replaced with extravagant diamond jewelry, bare feet covered in Gucci shoes, the coke bottle shape slimmed to a 36-24-36; all so S.H.E. could be put on the corner and sold to the highest bidder. S.H.E. had always known love, always sought it, and in this instance, it was the same, figuring that any attention was love. Mr. Corporate had his way with H.E.R. every morning before he put H.E.R. on the streets to make money for daddy. S.H.E. would still try to sneak back to the hood to grasp some semblance of the early days, but S.H.E. was encountered with rappers, a different breed from the emcees she grew up with. Rappers wanted to push death, sell death, glorify death, and rape and pimp H.E.R., claiming the a woman had no value except to serve the physical needs of a man. There were a few who gave H.E.R. shelter, trying to dress the wounds and allow time for rest and healing, while encouraging H.E.R. spirit with hope that one day all will be like it used to be, but they could not heal the wound in H.E.R. heart. Slowly, S.H.E. faded until S.H.E. was no longer there, how long it had been since S.H.E. had gone no one really knew, since most focused on the antics of H.E.R. many bastard children: Bling, Movin' Weight, Gangsta, Stuntin' and others; all the results of loveless acts of sexual abuse by those in the hood who claimed "to love and respect H.E.R. because they grew with H.E.R."
As we lay H.E.R. here in this ground, I'm reminded of what S.H.E. meant to me. The moment I first heard that voice, what it said to me, what it drew from me, and directed me to strive for for the rest of my life. I remember times in a room full of people when S.H.E. would come on and I felt S.H.E. was looking straight into my soul and revealed a part of me I never knew was there. There are times I hear H.E.R. in the middle of the night, thinking S.H.E.'s back, but I realize that it's "They Reminisce over You" playin' on the radio late or "Keep Ya Head UP" in the playlist rotation. For those of us who knew H.E.R., our hearts will always hold H.E.R. near and there S.H.E. will remain alive. I would like to acknowledge H.E.R. only children to come today who will be laying her to rest: H.E.R. twins Conscious and Conscience. We pray the work S.H.E. began will be continued through them.....let us pray..................................................................
Next up: Yung Cheezy's shouting match with Monie love on Hip Hop's state:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/jeezy-calling-out-nas-on-monie-love-show-mp3.html
N***as will never learn; Lord, we still waitin' on that whole apocalypse thing...anytime now.....