Is Tekashi 6ix 9ine the King of the new NEW YORK? by MJ Savino

One of the hottest topics worldwide is Tekashi 6ix 9ine, with the latest being the crown of New York Hip Hop he declares to own.  Let me begin by sending a born day salute to the father of Hip Hop, DJ Kool Herc. If we are discussing crowns and titles of New York it is only fair to mention the creator of Hip Hop. I won't drill the younger generation with a history lesson, although they can highly benefit from one. 

We associate the word King with ruler, leader, a man who can unite people for a greater cause based on his own accolades. Does 6ix 9ine fit this role as King? What has he contributed to Hip Hop? How has the big apple shone since his stance?  Some claim the older generation are stuck in the 90's era of Hip Hop. I beg to differ. We are true to the culture of Hip Hop and its subculture of Boom Bap, storytelling, and conscious rap. Hip Hop is not music, that is only one element. Can the younger generation name the five elements of Hip Hop? Can 6ix 9ine? Music, dance, graffiti, deejaying, and knowledge fuse together for Hip Hop. Can fans honestly say he is an authentic representation?

I'm not here to take anything or any success away from 6ix 9ine. His image is targeted to a certain age group. An age group that is vulnerable and seeking an out from school, parents, teenage struggles, and finding themselves. In that sense, yes 6ix 9ine might fit the bill as King. He offers that carefree, eccentric, and flashy lifestyle that most teens are drawn to. Unfortunately, that's all they choose to see. Do they acknowledge the gang references? Do they acknowledge the degrading of young adolescent females? Do they acknowledge the disrespect to our forefathers who created the foundation of Hip Hop? Does his music offer motivation, or even talk about real life issues that the younger generation can relate to? 

Read full article in Issue #20 of Scrilla Guerillaz  Magazine