Bringing Balance to the Game: Salymah IV’s “Strip Hop”
The Georgia Emcee is on a Mission
When done right, call & response helps preserve Hip Hop’s live elements. On "Strip Hop," the new track from Georgia emcee Salymah IV, it’s the catalyst framing her narrative:
"Is Strip Hop Hip Hop? ... HELLL NAWWW!!!"
The "dereliction of duty" Salymah IV describes falls on everyone: men, women, rappers, and television programs. She sees the misguidance of our youth by this new wave of "Strip Hop" rappers and vows to save us all.
You’ve seen award shows lately, (skin and more skin,) not to mention the promotion of "Strip Hop" fast food meals designed to kill us slowly. Not one to judge from afar, Salymah IV lives what she speaks. She is a wife and mother who travels and performs with her family. If that ain’t Hip Hop, I don’t know what is.
Salymah IV’s powerful message reminds us that what we see on award shows is merely mainstream rap music, not Hip Hop.
Speaking of Hip Hop, Salymah IV highlights the DJ in a major way. Not only does she commission Smittie to hook up this bouncy, brass opus, but she also requests the scratches. Smittie’s flawless execution of both ensures Salymah IV is in her element, helping her deliver this searing testimony.
Hip Hop is a self-governing body. Last year, Special Ed raised eyebrows across the globe when he stated that N.W.A. forced Hip Hop to lose its principles. Whether you agree or disagree with Ed, there are countless times within our existense where the culture has been critical of itself. This is one of those times.
Salymah IV is as focused as ever, and the Georgia emcee pulls no punches, not only exposing the problem, but offering the solution.
Other emcees have spoken on this topic before, but with a single verse or a line. With "Strip Hop," Salymah IV drops a masterclass from beginning to end.
It's important to note that the literal meaning of community is not a collection of people, but a collection of families. So join the growing family of real Hip Hop by spreading the word, pitching this track to a DJ in your area, or by streaming "Strip Hop" here.
