Movement: Hipster Hip-Hop

Growing up, I never thought about putting the words, Hipster and Hip-Hop together until I went to Houston's monthly hip-hop party, Sneakerboxx. Hipster Rap/Hip-Hop is a movement that has people debating: Is this authentic? Sneakerboxx was called Rockbox when it used to fill up The Proletariat, back before it closed its doors. Due to the fact that the Prole wasn't my type of vibe with hipster-attire passing through, I never went to Rockbox. I like people who dress how they want and feel comfortable in their own shoes. It didn’t seem like a place for me. However, one restless night, I attended so I could decide for myself, if I could vibe with the crowd.
Now, Sneakerboxx resides at The Backroom of The Mink. Playing anything from old school to underground hip-hop, to mainstream, the resident DJ’s, Dayta and Squincy Jones have a good mix to flow. And they don't just stick to one sound. They mix different genres with hip-hop, still giving us a beat to nod our heads.

B-boys take up the dance floor, having their moments to shine. The crowd gathers around, making it hard to pass through the tiny space. The amount of diversity that arrives means there are the authentic and the poseurs, who just may come to be seen, or think it’s a cool party, but don’t know much about the hip-hop culture. No, their style is not typical of 80's hip-hop or even modern day bling-bling. The essence of the hipster comes into full effect, not with the DJ's, B-boys, or the Emcees (Reko Trill & El Roy Boogie), but with the people who walk onto the dance floor...and park. Not much dancing, besides the B-boys were going on until later at night, around 1:00AM. It makes it difficult for someone who really knows how to party, like myself, to dance and enjoy the good music that is played. Parkers are obnoxious. If you don’t wanna dance, step to the side, or go downstairs. However, I did get an underground feel. The Backroom is a sweat box. You feel like you are stuck in a sneaker, fancy the name, Sneakerboxx.

Going back to the hipster rap/hip-hop: I decided to research this phenomenon. Is Hipster Rap/hip-hop more authentic and true to the origins of hip-hop than the modern day take of the culture? Rap group, The Knux, speaking on their take in the movement: mainstream hip-hop today is like cheesy hair-metal in the ’80s, and all the so-called “hipster rap” is like punk rock because it takes it back to the raw essence.


Like most new things, I was suspicious of the hipster hip-hop movement. However, hip-hop has been around for over 30 years. It has to have a place to grow. In our culture, we are oversaturated with mediocrity and clones that have no original or sincere thought. No one will tell you that Pharrell Williams of N.E.R.D. is not hip-hop because he dresses like a white skater boy, with a tight shirt and jeans. He has produced the most influential and progressive beats for some of the best rappers out there today. Let’s go back to Run DMC who collaborated with Aerosmith in the 80’s and made history by crossing genres. Remember, hip-hop was created out of sampling music that was popular at the time. If rappers use electronic beats, which is the technology of today, then what is the difference? What hipster hip-hop is doing, is allowing the rappers, artists, and DJ’s to rebel against the mainstream culture and find something new within itself. Just like with punk rock of the 80’s, it is only the followers that come to the parties and become involved in the culture that waters it down. So don’t let the poseurs scare you away. There is amazing music coming out of this movement. Perhaps the only poseurs are the ones labeling these artists ‘hipsters’ because they are doing something different. Let the music speak for itself, not your 80's Fresh Prince of Bel-Air throw back hat. You make your own decision.

If in Houston, check out Speakerboxx at The Backroom of The Mink - midtown, on Thursday nights. A large crowd doesn’t arrive until about midnight, so be prepared to be out late.
Link to a Dayta mix: http://www.nanachill.com/This_%20mix_is.mp3


Also, check out and download a mix by Chicago’s DJ, Ray Protege. He’s been cited as a leader in the movement. This is Dope and the real deal.

Download link: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FOSQF4RR
1. Double O (Kidz In The Hall) - Speaks On Hipster Rapper Label
2. Kidz In The Hall ft. Donnis and Chip The Ripper - Mr. All of That Sh^T
3. Pacific Division - Paper
4. Mic Terror - Hiooo (Produced By M$M)
5. The Cool Kids - Oscar
6. The Knux - Cappucino (Remix)
7. Mickey Factz ft. N.E.R.D - Don’t Be Light
8. Wale - The Artistic Integrity
9. Kid Cudi - Mastered (Produced By A-Trak)
10. The Cool Kids - Dinner Time
11. Kid Cudi ft Wale - Is There Any Love
12. Mickey Factz - Addresses Hipster Label
13. Mickey Factz ft The Cool Kids - Rockin And Rolling
14. Izza Kizza ft. Missy Elliot - Walking The Dog
15. Phone Call W/ Hollywood Holt
16. Hollywood Holt - Hollywood
17. Mic Terror ft. Donnis - Owee
18. Mic Terror Talks about Hipster Label
19. Pacific Division - Love it
20. Donnis L.o.v.e. - Boyfriend