Martin Luther King Jr. messages of having a dream are still remembered and continue to live on in our today's history. But looking at today's society and individuals how much have we really overcome from his teachings in his messages? Here it is 2008 and some of the same problems that Dr. King was fighting for in his movements in the 60's, we are still dealing with today. Do we have peace in the world today? Is racism still alive? Do we practice the aid of helping one another overcoming obstacles and barriers? So as we remember and observe this day in memory of Dr. King, let us not forget what we all should be doing to have his messeges live on through our lives.

There is not a more personal and realistic form of expression on this planet than Hip Hop, not just hip hop music but the entire landscape of Hip Hop from graffiti, breakdancing, music, fashion, books, movies etc. Hip Hop in essence is about defying the odds and rising from nothing, its about dreaming of a better day and glorifying the American Dream. Hip Hop personifies the American Dream - Life Love and the Pursuit of Happiness. "Cash rules everything around me C.R.E.A.M". is our anthem. "It aint where ya from its where you at" is our mantra. Scarface is our movie, Shawn Carter is our president **** Bush. Donald Goines wrote our Declaration of Independence and its a story called "Black Girl Lost", Tupac is our JFK, Run is our Pastor in a church with stained glass windows with the image of Makaveli crucified on the cross. What other art form can make you laugh, make you cry, create love and spark hatred all in the same verse. Turn a word designed to objectify us in to term of endearment so that everytime I call you "my Nigga" you know that I hold you dear to my heart and evertime I tell my girl that Its Just Me and My Bitch she understands that its Me and You against the world like Bonnie and Clyde. Who else can rock cornrolls with tuxedos, Jordans with golf shirts, Kangols with sweatpants, $2 Doo- Rags under $200 fitted caps, Make saggin jeans, cocked baseball caps, diamond studded T-shirts the flyest thing in the world, so fly that every race on the planet tries to rock it how we rock it and fail miserably in the process only validating us even more. If only the rest of the world could be as lucky as us to truly understand what Keepin it Gangsta really means. In this commercialized world of corruption and greed only we know the truth- so Throw ya hood up and represent where you came from otherwise they just might forget where you came from, even worse you just might forget it too

This is what I have found to be the key to "Professional Longevity" in Hip Hop music.

Understand and know what has kept Hip Hop itself vibrant and self-sustaining for over 30 years. Hip Hop thrives upon its variety of styles and diversity of ideas. Remember, Hip Hop is a continuous international urban conversation; it is not a dictated lecture or a one-sided statement. It is an on-going urban discussion about life and living expressed through art and culture. EVERYTHING ABOUT HIP HOP IS GOOD! Our music and art reflects life itself.