When HipHop Grows Up

I attended Kevin Powell's booksigning yesterday at McNally Robinson for his new collection of essays, Someday We'll All Be Free.

It was a really great turnout. And not just quantity but quality. Folks came eager for some knowledge, debate, reflection and answers.

Kevin hit the mic and did a nice short speech, read two short passages from two essays (one about Katrina and one about the 2004 presidential election). He was eloquent and down-to-earth. To me, Kevin represents what can happen when hiphop culture grows up. One can be political and current. One can be a writer and a speaker. One can know the latest about 50 cent and be able to speak in the words of the youth. One can also deconstruct what's wrong with 50 cent and speak it in the words of the youth. One can quote Sonia Sanchez and Gloria Steinman. One can write several books and care about his/her community. When hiphop culture grows up, or shall I say mature, it's an incredibly powerful force.

After Kevin's time, there was a question and answer period. Since the audience was primarily of color, Q&A turned into a debate about the social/political/economical/pyschological ills of our community. Some had some really insightful comments, some wanted to hear themselves speak. And Kevin came prepared to offer genuine suggestions/solutions. The most important one being: what is your plan? He made it a point to say he feels like he's been involved in every kind of debate and is tired of the empty rhetoric (Amen). We know things are dire, so what is your plan?

A woman made a comment that she felt the debate was missing a discussion about love and self-love. Ms. Susan Taylor, of Essence Magazine was in the house and offered a heartful response. That was priceless.

It was a booksigning that turned into a quesi townhall meeting. But I think some folks left feeling motivated/agitated and Kevin sold some books in the process.