Hip Hop Evolution on Netflix is worth a watch, whether you’re a hip hop fan or not. Since many of the greats are still alive, it’s a conversation between mentors and mentees, full of great storytelling, interesting people, and takeaways relevant to any kind of creative effort. The first episode left me with plenty to think about.
First, it’s a story of innovation and inspiration. Each person gets asked where their inspiration sprouted from, and some of the answers are surprising. For example, have you ever heard of Pigmeat Markham? I hadn’t, but apparently he inspired DJ Hollywood, arguably one of the fathers of hip hop (emphasis on arguably, see point 2 below!). Inspiration is contagious, and it doesn’t matter what the subject. In times like these, we should all surround ourselves with stories of inspiration and innovation.
Second, it reminds me that no progression is linear in the real world. Hip hop history is full of contention, with different players identified as the most influential, different traditions being considered more fundamental to the evolution. Controversy means people care. It also belies the fact that innovation – whether in a musical tradition or in a tech company – never goes in a straight trajectory. Rather, progress happens like a series of small explosions. Most of the time, we don’t recognize them when they happen. When I’m discouraged, it’s important to remember that steps forward, back, and around are all part of progress.
Finally, the episode made me think of 8th grade earth science class and those striated rocks whose stripes each represent a layer of history. The hip hop tradition, as with many artistic traditions, seems like a striated rock, built over time and on the shoulders of those who came before them.
A single episode of TV filled me with inspiration, an appreciation for the unpredictable nature of progress, and a reminder of the importance of history and our mentors. And isn’t that what art is for?
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