Gospel Of Hip Hop: The First Instrument - The

: Using the body as an instrument for self-expression. Street Fashion : The visual expression of cultural identity.

To codify this culture, KRS-One expands the traditional "four elements" (MCing, DJing, Breaking, and Graffiti) into a comprehensive framework of nine: : The study of divine speech and storytelling. DJing : The pursuit of technology and rhythm. The Gospel of Hip Hop: The First Instrument

These elements are intended to lead the practitioner to : Health, Love, Awareness, and Wealth. The Meaning of "The First Instrument" Gospel of Hip Hop, The: First Instrument - powerHouse Books : Using the body as an instrument for self-expression

: The independent linguistic evolution of the culture. Street Knowledge : The study of universal law and heritage. DJing : The pursuit of technology and rhythm

At the core of the book is a critical distinction: "hip hop" (lowercase) is the product—the music and entertainment—while "Hip Hop" (uppercase) is the culture and the people themselves. KRS-One argues that Hip Hop is not something you do , but something you are . He defines "Hip" as the mind and "Hop" as the movement, suggesting that the culture is a metaphysical principle—a conscious behavior that rescued a generation from the "self-destruction" of poverty and ignorance. The Nine Elements and H-LAW