Hiphop as Binding Force of a Cypher
Hiphop can be envisioned as the connective essence of the cypher, a dynamic interplay that facilitates recognition and discernment among its participants. It serves as a medium through which Hiphoppers can identify the genuine from the insincere, whether in reference to an individual, a collective, or their ideologies. This concept of energy or force is articulated not merely for the sake of definition but to encapsulate a phenomenon that, while intangible, is akin to concepts such as chi, prana, spirit, essence, the All, Ultimate Reality, or Truth. These terms attempt to articulate an omnipresent Reality that permeates all matter, yet eludes complete characterization.
For those immersed in the culture, Hiphop represents the vital force that ignites creativity, shapes the environment for its manifestation, and underpins all musical genesis. It evokes a profound sense of joy, euphoria, or ecstasy experienced within spaces where Hiphop thrives—whether it's being played, nurtured, or exhibited. This exultation is tied to the communion with the creative source itself, a connection paralleled in spiritual traditions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Each of these paths speaks of a transcendent unity with the All, a sensation of oneness that is deeply personal yet universally acknowledged through the teachings of prophets, saviors, avatars, sages, seers, and masters. These figures serve as exemplars of those who have encountered the Ultimate Reality within their respective belief systems.
In a similar vein, the spectrum of consciousness within Hiphop acts as a conduit toward experiencing its Reality—a Reality realized by the prophets of Hiphop who, like ancient seers, forecast and steer the culture towards heightened self-realization, emancipation, and resistance against both external and internal oppressive forces.
Hiphop and Diunitality
The concept of diunital nature, which resonates with the ethos of Hiphop, encompasses both the self and the other, forming the cohesive dynamic of the cypher. Participants step into the cypher with dual intentions: firstly, for personal enrichment, whether driven by ego, curiosity, or spiritual growth; secondly, to contribute to a collective energy exchange that fosters the imparting of self-knowledge from individual to group, or from the collective to the divine. The term "diunital" implies that phenomena are amalgamations of dualities that are interdependent (Myers, 1988; Nobles, 1980; Phillips, 1990). When we harmonize our internal and external energies, we experience an elevation in well-being and balance. It is the freedom to express oneself authentically within an accepted space that cultivates harmony within a cypher. Whether at home with family, in an educational environment with teachers, or on the streets interacting with law enforcement, individuals may feel constrained in their expression compared to the liberty found within a cypher. This is not solely due to the presence of peers but rather the intrinsic Hiphop energy within the cypher itself, which can manifest in any setting where its members are receptive and engaged.
The concept of diunital existence, as it relates to the cypher in Hiphop culture, is deeply rooted in the idea that phenomena are unions of opposites that are mutually dependent on each other. This term, which is derived from African American cultural values, suggests a harmonious coexistence of dualities, such as self and other, individual and community, competition and collaboration. In the context of the cypher, this diunital existence is manifested through the dynamic interplay between emcees who come together to express themselves both as individuals and as part of a collective.
The cypher, an integral part of Hiphop culture, is a space where emcees engage in freestyling, a form of improvised lyrical performance. It is a communal practice that fosters kinship and is derived from original Hiphop conceptions of identity, community, and anti-corporate cultures. Within the cypher, participants contribute their unique styles and perspectives, yet they are also part of a larger whole, sharing and exchanging energy, knowledge, and skills. This reflects the diunital principle where the self-benefit of one's ego-mind, curiosity, or spiritual expression is balanced with the collective benefit of assisting in the sharing of energies to facilitate the transference of knowledge from self to other, or group to creator.
The diunital nature of the cypher is also evident in the way it serves as a training ground for aspiring MCs and a platform for more experienced artists to pass on their knowledge. It is a democratic space where the microphone is willingly passed among lyricists, and while some artists may be more skilled than others, no one is considered superior. This reflects the diunital concept of mutual dependence, as both novice and veteran emcees rely on each other to create the energy and learning environment that is unique to the cypher.
Furthermore, the diunital existence in Hiphop culture is not just about the balance between individual and community within the cypher; it also encompasses the relationship between Hiphop and the broader society. Hiphop itself is a response to and a reflection of the social, political, and economic conditions that gave rise to it. The music and culture serve as a form of resistance and empowerment, providing a voice to marginalized individuals and communities. The cypher, as a microcosm of Hiphop, embodies these same principles of resistance and empowerment, creating a space where individuals can assert their identities while contributing to the collective strength and voice of the community.
The concept of diunital existence in Hiphop culture, as it relates to the cypher, is about the interdependence of individual and collective identities, the balance of competition and collaboration, and the connection between Hiphop and the larger societal context. It is a reflection of the African American cultural values of unity, community, and resistance that are central to the ethos of Hiphop.
Cyphering: Youth and Spirituality
The success of a cypher, a space of creative and authentic exchange, hinges on the participants involved—be they practitioners, listeners, or facilitators. Take, for instance, a disagreement between a youth and a parent; the parent's grasp of the youth's cultural context is crucial for effective communication. Given that the child may not yet have a fully developed set of principles, it often falls upon the parent to guide the dialogue, effectively becoming the mediator of the cypher.
Engaging in a cypher with one's child transcends the acts of rapping or beat-making; it invariably involves genuine conversation and a rhythmic flow of energy. The communication approach adopted by the parent—or facilitator—must extend beyond conventional methods like eye contact, reflective listening, and the use of "I" statements. It should also honor the child's unique expression, employ a shared dialect, and demonstrate an awareness of one's own communicative style, akin to that of an emcee.
The diunital essence of the cypher remains constant, irrespective of the setting, situation, or circumstance. The objectives for both the self and the other align: for the self, it is about articulating inner thoughts and feelings with the hope of being understood and receiving constructive feedback. For the other, it is about exchanging emotions to improve the situation and to deepen the spiritual or subjective connection among participants.
The establishment and preservation of a subjective relationship foster bonds between individuals. When the subjective link is severed, even the most objective relationship can falter, as both object and subject rely on a shared understanding to function. Today's youth often seek solidarity in peer groups rather than familial ties, driven by a shared alignment of values rather than blood relations. The challenge lies in the perception of the morals and values held by contemporary youth. Hiphop culture, with its elements of emceeing, DJing, breakdancing, graffiti and cyphering is frequently viewed as solely youth-centric or as a vehicle for commercialization, thus its profound capacity for relationship-building and healing remains underutilized.
Hiphop and cyphering, often practiced by youth, serve as a form of spirituality, though this spiritual dimension may not be explicitly recognized by its practitioners. Young people come together in these cyphers, spontaneously forming on any given day, to share a collective experience that transcends mere social gathering. Here, they express and exchange deep-seated emotions and thoughts through the medium of freestyle rap. The cypher's goal is multifaceted: participants strive to showcase their linguistic prowess, intellectual depth, or even their persona within the Hiphop culture, whether that persona is intellectual, reflective, or street-hardened.
In this context, the act of freestyling can be likened to a spiritual offering, similar to how a choir member might "make a joyful noise unto the Lord." The lyricist, through their verses, connects with a creative force, channeling and vocalizing their innermost feelings and thoughts. However, unlike traditional religious practices where a pastor or priest provides guidance, Hiphop artists often navigate their spiritual and artistic paths without such direct mentorship. This lack of guidance is particularly felt in the mainstream Hiphop scene, which has increasingly focused on themes of materialism, misogyny, and violence, overshadowing the more conscious and positive aspects that characterized the genre's early days in the 1980s and continued into the early 1990s. In the past, this mentorship aided in the development of a lineage of freestylers who offered support not just for their artistry but for their personal development.
Despite the commercialization of the genre, the essence of Hiphop as a spiritual and cultural practice persists, particularly in freestyling and cyphering. These practices offer young people valuable lessons about self-awareness and cultural identity, providing a framework within which they can explore and affirm their place in the world. Imagine a scenario where a young person, seemingly in need of direction, is introduced to a spiritual path that resonates with their existing beliefs and experiences. This path, rooted in the cultural and spiritual energy of Hiphop, does not require conversion or persuasion; it is already meaningful and relevant to their lives. The cypher, in this sense, becomes a sacred space, a "place of worship" where these spiritual energies are cultivated and celebrated.
However, there is no formalized system within contemporary society that recognizes or supports this kind of spiritual practice for youth or adults. This absence is symptomatic of a broader disconnection fostered by Western institutions, which, since the Industrial Revolution, have increasingly promoted values of individualism, personal power, and economic success. These institutions have contributed to a mechanization and despiritualization of human existence, alienating individuals from the foundational subjective relationships that shape their interactions with family, educational systems, religious organizations, and social controls.
As a result, many young people remain on the periphery of consciousness, lacking the encouragement to develop deeper, more subjective relationships that resonate with their current realities. In this context, the world of Hiphop offers a vital, albeit underrecognized, arena where young adults can engage with and develop their identities and worldviews. This cultural space provides a counter-narrative to the prevailing societal norms, offering a platform for expression, connection, and personal growth.
Cypher as A Gateway to the Divine
In the realm of Hiphop, the practice of freestyling within a cypher serves as a profound gateway to deeper self-awareness and collective consciousness. This artistic expression allows participants to be "free" with their chosen "style," fostering a dynamic environment where lyricists are continually challenged to innovate and evolve. This constant push for freshness not only sparks new thoughts and behaviors but also facilitates the exploration of various archetypes and sub-personalities within oneself.
Freestyling in a cypher is akin to a spiritual practice, where the lyricists connect with a universal creative force, often referred to in various cultures as the All, Absolute Being, Godhead, or simply Truth. This connection is the mystical element often absent in contemporary religious teachings, which tend to convey the divine through structured doctrines and established hierarchies. In contrast, Hiphop offers a more direct, unmediated experience of this force, akin to the spiritual concept of the All, which transcends conventional religious imagery and dogma.
Every religious or spiritual tradition has a primary method of expressing how to access the divine. The three primary modes are: analogy, negation, and injunction, each offering a unique pathway to understanding and experiencing reality. When freestyling, Hiphop practitioners use these same three modes to express how it understands reality:
Analogically, Hiphop lyrics use metaphors, similes, and vivid storytelling to paint a picture of reality, often embellished with the same type of imaginative elaboration found in religious icons and mythologies. This method helps listeners draw parallels between the lyrical content and their own life experiences, making the spiritual and existential themes in Hiphop relatable and impactful.
Negation, a concept deeply rooted in the Vedantic tradition of "neti, neti" (not this, not that), is also prevalent in Hiphop. It involves defining what something is by stating what it is not. In Hiphop, this is often seen in the critique of "Wack MCs," where the authenticity of Hiphop is defended by denouncing what it is not. This method mirrors the way certain spiritual traditions strip away labels and attributes to grasp the true, indescribable nature of the divine, which is beyond dualistic distinctions.
Finally, the injunctive approach in Hiphop is about direct experience. Similar to spiritual practices in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism, where followers are guided through specific practices to experience reality directly, Hiphop imparts knowledge through a set of experiential 'rules' embedded in its culture. These rules are not just about creating music but about living a life that reflects the truths Hiphop stands for. This is akin to the spiritual injunctions found in mystical branches of world religions, which guide adherents toward direct encounters with the divine.
Thus, Hiphop, much like these ancient wisdom traditions, does not merely describe reality; it offers a lived experience of it. Through its unique blend of analogy, negation, and injunction, Hiphop invites both its artists and audiences to engage with and understand the All in a deeply personal and transformative way. This engagement is not just about listening or performing but about embodying the principles and truths that Hiphop stands for, making it a powerful medium for spiritual exploration and expression.
Hiphop Alive
Justin F. Miles is the founder of Hiphop Alive and pioneering practitioner, theorist and educator at the intersection of Hiphop culture, mindfulness and contemplative studies. He is the leading voice championing the use of Hiphop infused contemplative modalities to foster resilience, emotional intelligence, and community empowerment.