How I and others understand what Hiphop is or isn’t has been an obsession of mine for the last 35 years. As a lifelong student of religion and spirituality its been difficult to not view the search to know Hiphop as similar to if not the same as the search for ultimate reality. People take perspectives on the world, revealing how they relate to their everyday lives through how they allow themselves to explore and interpret the layers of their experience. Since I began asking the question of "what is Hiphop”, i’ve realized that people understand Hiphop in three distinct ways and by using what is known as Integral Theory can be better understood.
In the context of Integral Theory, as developed by Ken Wilber, the different typographical representations of "hiphop" can be correlated with the various dimensions of human experience as outlined in the theory i.e. behavioral, psychospiritual, cultural and social. These dimensions are often depicted through the Four Quadrants which include the Interior Individual, Exterior Individual, Interior Collective, and Exterior Collective. Here's how these can be related to the expressions of Hiphop:
1. hiphop (lowercase) - All Quadrants: sensory/emotional experience individually and collectively
- hiphop: The lowercase usage suggests a personal, intimate engagement with Hiphop. It represents how individuals personally experience and internalize Hiphop culture through their emotions and personal reflections. This form emphasizes the personal meaning and emotional connection that Hiphop has for an individual, aligning with the subjective nature of the Interior Individual quadrant.
2. Hiphop (Capitalized) - Exterior Individual and Collective (Objective and Interobjective)
- Hiphop: Capitalizing "Hiphop" indicates a recognition of the more formal, structured aspects of the culture. It encompasses the observable practices such as dance, art, and music, and the organizational structures like music labels and social groups within the Hiphop community. This perspective views Hiphop as a significant cultural and social phenomenon that can be studied and analyzed, reflecting the objective and interobjective dimensions.
3. HIPHOP (Uppercase) - All Quadrants (Integral)
- HIPHOP: The use of all uppercase letters suggests a comprehensive, all-encompassing view of Hiphop. It recognizes not only the external, observable elements but also the deep, internal experiences and the broader cultural and societal impacts. This usage implies a holistic view that encompasses personal feelings, communal values, social behaviors, and the global influence of Hiphop culture. It aligns with the integral approach, which seeks to understand phenomena through multiple perspectives and dimensions.
By using the framework of Integral Theory, we can see how different expressions of "hiphop" reflect different levels of engagement and understanding within the culture, ranging from personal subjective experiences to broad, integrative perspectives that consider both internal and external dimensions of human experience. This approach allows for a deeper appreciation of Hiphop's complexity and its impact on both individuals and society.
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.