Jesse Warren

IN the hands of urban black youth, hip-hop was born, raised, and nurtured in New York City in the 1970s. Several decades later, it has become one of the most popular forms of music in the world. But hip-hop is much more than just music; it is a culture representing the lifestyle and art of its creators.

Historically, there are four core elements comprising this culture. First, the music of DJs provided the lively soundtracks for early block parties in the Bronx. Second, the rhythmic words of MCs accompanying the music provided an outlet for poetic expression by inner-city youth. Third, break-dancing came about as the physical expression of the music, providing entertainment and a competitive outlet for dancers. Finally, graffiti was adopted as the visual expression of hip-hop, bringing new art and messages to the urban environment.

This series will examine the presence of hip-hop culture among the youth of Shenzhen which is, in many ways, the Big Apple of China.