This year, we have an interesting dilemma regarding Hip Hop Appreciation Week. Traditionally, HHAW is held every third week in May. Now I’ve heard the Teacha say that week should always include May 16th, the anniversary of the signing of the Hip Hop Declaration of Peace, at the United Nations in 2001. However, sometimes May has 5 weeks, as it does this year, and the month begins on a Thursday. So the week that includes 16th is actually the second full week of May.
Another thing that comes up is the idea that HHAW since 2007, has been celebrated Sunday to Sunday, by many Hiphoppas. Therefore, it can simply be counted by Sundays, starting the third Sunday in May. This year, that date doesn’t include May 16th which is actually a very relevant date in Hip Hop history, possibly the third most important. So what do we do? Perhaps we should always start HHAW on the 16th and go to the end of the third week (4th Sunday). Yes it will be extra days, but doesn’t the culture deserve a few extra days of recognition? At the same time the Sunday to Sunday tradition, I have personally observed over the past 7 years has a comfortable feel to it. What do you think?
Kurt Nice
Kurt Nice aka Kurtiss Jackson is a behind the scenes pioneer in the Hip Hop Kulture, creating the first nationally distributed video mix tape series, Shades of Hip Hop, in the late 1990s. Since touring the country with the Stop the Violence Movement and the Temple of Hip Hop as KRS-ONE’s National Marketing Director, Kurt Nice has been a constant commentator on conscious Hip Hop and its relevance to the new rap music of today, through radio and cable appearances. contact Kurt at info@hiphoplives.net
Follow Me:
Kurt Nice aka Kurtiss Jackson is a behind the scenes pioneer in the Hip Hop Kulture, creating the first nationally distributed video mix tape series, Shades of Hip Hop, in the late 1990s. Since touring the country with the Stop the Violence Movement and the Temple of Hip Hop as KRS-ONE's National Marketing Director, Kurt Nice has been a constant commentator on conscious Hip Hop and its relevance to the new rap music of today, through radio and cable appearances. contact Kurt at info@hiphoplives.net
