Volume Records Supports the Revitalization of Rap!

March 18, 2008 - PRLog -- Has the true art form of rap been lost?  Is it now about who has the “hottest” video girls or who has the “baddest” rims?  Rap music is not perceived by many individuals as an art form, but as a fad or even a nuisance.  However, rap music is so much more than that.  It’s been active in the US for over 20 years. It has evolved from country to country, city to city, race to race …..constantly evolving.  

Volume Records CEO, Moe Jackson, urges musicians to return to what the world of hip-hop was invented to be.  “There are some artists, labels and money makers that have dictated to society what rap should be, but they have never lived the life.  They try to glorify mindless aspects of life such as cars, profanity, murder, etc. because the ”bigger than life” concept made money.. While rap was really intended to tell a story – share an experience and bind together a dying society.  But we believe that listeners today are seeking something different.”  Volume believes that even if you are from the streets there is still more to you!  Something more you can teach.  Volume encourages it’s musicians to use their bitterness, rage, guilt, remorse and even regrets positively.  

But how did rap and the culture of hip hop start?  You may be surprised…..many trace the history of rap back to a West African tribe known as the Griots.  This group of people were professional singers and story tellers and as history recounts show, this was a trade that actually made quite a bit of money..  The Griots would perform at community functions, high-class ceremonies and rituals and were a very respected group of people know for their talents.

Fast forward to the United States in 1979  “Rapper’s Delight” was released by the Sugar Hill Gang which was a “nonsense” rap that took audiences by storm – proving that music could just be plain “fun”. “White Lines”, a rap with an anti-drug theme, and “The Message”, about ghetto life in the black neighborhood were also big hits. Rap music began as a positive voice – voicing concern to a generation.  Rap-in its rawness – IS an art form.  It’s what we do with the raw state of it.  How we choose to mold it…..construe it.” , states Mickey Smith of Volume Records.  

The hip hop culture can even be traced to the year of 1925 when Earl Tucker (aka “Snake Hips”) performed at the Cotton Club.  He invented a dance style similar to today’s hip hop moves with floats and slides.. In 1980 graphitti was very influential in the hip hop community – but once again,  it started as something positive.  Keith Haring (from MTV) would actually become famous years later for his “art’”. Haring would walk through subways and begin drawing in the subway corridors. The community left his work untouched to show how much it was admired.  

There is one other early hip-hop/rap contributor that played a monumental part in this urban phenomena- A young student named Kevin Donavan. Donovan later changed his name to Afrika Bambaataa., “Bam”. In honor of an ancient Zulu chief, he created the group “Zulu Nation” and became a spokesperson for the hip hop culture.  The major function of this organization was to replace gang rumbles and drugs with rap, dance, and the hip hop style  .Then as rap music evolved and became popular, women tended to be the targets of male rap lyrics and generally were not portrayed in a favorable light.

In 2006,-LL Cool J tried to convince his peers to stop degrading women in their music videos, because he feared they were setting a bad example to the younger generation.  

Volume Records also challenges listeners.  “When you purchase, download or request music, think about the lyrics and not just the beat. Challenge musicians to use what rap was intended for – building a society not dividing and breaking it.”
Music should be the one thing in this society that we should be able to count on to bring us together.   In the words of Artist Consultant, Mickey Smith,  “Let’s face it – the street life – the ugly, the bad, the anger, the rough, the sexy– it will always be here.  But lets find creative, intelligent, brilliant and innovative ways to express it.”  

Rappers in the past were admired for their talent, their skills and their stance. The tribal storytellers who made even fortunes at times.  The graphitti that was admired by the entire community.  The strength of the people while facing adversity.  The group “Zulu Nation” who wanted to offer something in place of all the negativity of the streets.  Rap was always meant to bring it’s listeners power and strength.  

By the way, the “Zulu Nation’s” leaders’ name, Afrika Bambaataa means “Affectionate Leader”.  “Affectionate”: loving, warm.  “Leader:”: the head or chief.  Do rappers still take on that same responsibility or has life (and music) become empty?

Volume Records dares this generation to redefine rap.  In the words of Volume's CEO,  “The hip-hop world has the power to assist in revolutionizing our society”.

Please visit Volume Records at http://www.volumerecords.biz.  You can also blog with them at http://volumerecds.wordpress.com.

Website: www.volumerecords.biz