It is nearly impossible to get a bunch of passionate hip hop fans to agree on anything. But I tried anyhow, starting with a series of polls on Facebook that aimed to figure out which emcee or group was the best in the game as driven by the letters of the alphabet. No specific rubric or criteria was given; just a simple request for answers to the question, "Who is the best emcee or hip hop group beginning with the letter 'A'?; 'B'?; 'C'?; 'D'?..." and so on. The responses were immediate and spurred some pretty spirited discussions. A general consensus was ultimately reached for each and per the request of Music Editor Leilani Polk, I've brought the poll results to Ear Buds. For the past year, I've revealed a letter and its "winning" artist, and we've come to the finish of the first 26...
It is fitting that the Zulu Nation represents the final letter in the Hip Hop ABCs. You can’t talk about hip hop culture without mentioning the Zulu Nation and you can’t mention the Zulu Nation without mentioning Afrika Bambaataa.
The Universal Zulu Nation was instrumental in expanding hip hop culture, but they also spread a message of peace. Bambaataa, widely known as the 'Godfather of Hip Hop,' offered former and would-be gang members an alternative to violence. The goals of peace, love, unity, and having fun continue today by way of the now-international organization. Regardless of how you feel about the current state of hip hop, it had early roots in the Zulu Nation and they remain as dedicated to those goals as they have always been.
In studying Bambaataa, it was extremely interesting to discover that some of his early influences were from Japan and Germany. Bambaataa helped start hip hop so it is quite appropriate that his Universal Zulu Nation helps us close out the Hip Hop ABCS. The Letter Z goes to the Zulu Nation.
***
Now' it's time to re-open the ABCs debate, starting over fresh with the letter 'A'. We'll reveal the new winners each week after your votes come in... Will last year's champions hold their titles? Which ones will be pushed out in favor of a new Hip Hop ABCs winner? You be the judge.
Vote on your favorite hop hop artist or group below repping 'A' below.
Infinite Skillz is a Hip Hop fan and emcee. Click here to find out more about his music
