Let me just start this post by stating I have the upmost love, respect, admiration and appreciation for one of the greatest MC’s of all time and champions of Hip-Hop KRS ONE. But recently KRS along with other notable hip-hop pioneers have taken a stance to boycott the National Museum of Hip-Hop. This position is not being taken because of misrepresentation, lack of support, corporate involvement…but because of ………..MONEY. You read correctly the pioneers taking part in this boycott are shunning the institution because they are not being paid for their representation in it.
The irony of this is that these pioneers have criticized their hip-hop offspring for their “commercialism” and “materialistic” approach to the art form they created. I understand that some of hip-hop’s forefathers and mothers may have fallen on hard times and did not get to enjoy the fruits of hip-hop in the abundance that today’s artist do. BUT when an institution is being built in your honor out of appreciation how could you not be grateful and humbled by that. This is especially odd considering KRS’s involvement in the organization.
Conventional wisdom would tell these pioneers to use this opportunity to educate a younger generation of their works and accomplishments. Or simply put: use it to make themselves relevant again. I as a fan and idiot savant (I am fully aware of what that means) of hip-hop I fully support the National Museum of Hip-Hop. I would hate to believe that I have more appreciation for hip-hop than some of its pioneers……….Discuss