1st Anniversary

A year ago this day marked the establishment of Hip Hop in India the online reservoir bringin together all the elements of Hip Hop in a unified community. The mission has been to have a structured, growth oriented approach with dispersed dissemination of Hip Hop values reaching out to practitioners and enthusiasts of the culture, common masses and the society at large. Aficionados in respective elements have provided valuable inputs which helped many practitioners of respective elements too gain an in depth study of crucial and trivial topics that helped overall development. The success of this community is quantified with its strength of 1600+ members on its facebook page: facebook.com/hiphopinindia & its ever growing presence across online platforms (blog, youtube, twitter etc). Core values have been learnt, also areas have been percolated which were left unattended in Hip Hop even at a global level.

"StreetSkool - A Series of Street Culture" an initiative to showcase Hip Hop in India

For the Country-wide Community -
MCs, Dj's, Bboys, Graffiti artists, BeatBoxerz, Street entrepreneurs, Street Fashionistas - Indians here and Indians abroad - Everybody can air their Works & Art with a licence to Create & express unlimited!! - Have U ever felt dejected that u might never get noticed for your Creative & Unique work in this Cut-throat World? Well - fret no more - Here's a Huge exposure to a Global Audience!! So PLEASE Co-operate now in our Initial Stages - and then You Can reap lifelong benefits!! -- Support and help IRF so that IRF can help u!

Participate in ur own success: The series will telecast on Hip Hop in India TV a channel formed on the Youtube platform youtube.com/hiphopinindia.com, a Strategic hub for visual content making the series a TV show of Our Own!!

Are we all ready to Finally take that Giant Step towards making the Indian Underground a Global Beast?? "StreetSkool" is designed to bring within Everybody's reach now - a medium to Creative Fulfillment - NO MORE shall we compromise and be left behind - Your Efforts & Knowledge will now Directly and completely alter the face of Hip Hop in India - and in Indians anywhere on the Planet who wish to be part of it!

India - Are You Ready? Then All u gotta do izz:

• give an introduction of u'rself/krew & da location where u are from.
• make a youtube compliant video(check da file size check da file format it should be in terms with youtube's policy) expressin u'r view on the state of Hip Hop in India.
• you can freestyle, prepare a skit, promote u'r album/event, send out a message, do what u do the show izz all u'rz.
• Send the finished product ready video to hiphopinindia@gmail.com
• U will be notified on the date u'r about to feature on StreetSkool series.
• The series will be hosted on hiphopinindia.blogspot.com and will also be promoted on international forums given below:

rapworlds.com/forums

undergroundhiphop.com

allhiphop.com

hiphop-universe.com

anotha.com

The scope of this activity is to fuel the Hip Hop movement in India while artist exposure will be amplified and viewers get an insight to what the country's Hip Hop culture is all about.

Follow us on: http://www.facebook.com/hiphopinindia

The Trouble With Mixtapes

After DJ Drama was arrested for selling mixtapes by US Police over the initiative by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), questions again have been thrown up regarding the legality of mixtapes. As the Indian Hip Hop scene is showing indications of progressing onto the next level, where several underground artists have put out mixtapes already such as Srik's - The Pledge, Enkore's - This is me, Frekey's Ganj-ha and some of who are planning to such as Smokey's - The Cellotape, Gaggy's - I Am Home, Mash's - The Journey, FBI's - Inkounter, Big Kronik's - Thoroughbreed. SOS's - The Last Resort and my own titled as Rapper's Law, it becomes relevant that we make ourselves well aware of the legal standing of mixtapes as per Indian Laws as well apprise ourselves of the general understanding of a mixtape.

The term mixtape applies to a variety of sound recordings, the legality of which may or may not be clear instantly as often its a mix of everything. The definition for a mixtape is very wide and they may include original vocals over popular instrumentals, remixes of commercial tracks by DJs, a mash-up of several tracks over which copyright may or may not subsist (depending upon how much substance of the under-lying copyrighted work has been included). Mixtapes may be about tracks from newer artists or remixes of tracks of already established artists as well. As is clear from the variegated aspects highlighted about mixtapes, gauging legality for a mixtape cannot be on a general platform and assessments have to be made on a case-by-case basis. Still it becomes relevant to determine criteria which may help us to understand if we are pouring our music out within legal boundaries.

Before that, a history of mixtapes has to be in order. Mixtapes back in the days were largely considered as party music compilations where consumers would request DJs to put a collection of their favourite tracks usually laced with personal shoutouts by the DJs. Earlier mixtapes were put out by the pioneer DJs of Hip Hop - Grandmaster Flex and Afrika Bambaata and such compilations were sold on the streets for money. Thus the very beginnings of mixtapes have been mired in illegality through sales over material for which copyright permissions were not sought expressly or otherwise.

Nowadays mixtapes have evolved into a much more complex musical form than its earlier counterparts and may contain several different compilations of various artists, or scratched recordings, or remixed tracks from popular artists, or just about anything. Pinning copyright liability in such instances becomes extremely difficult. However one thing is clearly certain that you cannot enrich yourself unjustly by using some one else's creation. Therefore one must not profit from any such mixtapes if he seeks to put them using other's creations without first obtaining prior permission from them. Usually copyright infringement cases are successful largely on the basis of proof of hurt profits and denial of marketshare. So if you are distributing your mixtapes without charging anything, then in those cases copyright infrignement would be difficult to sustain. Moreover, no label would proceed if copies issued are fairly less in number.

If you are using beats downloaded from the internet over which you write your own lyrics and record with your own vocals, you may be allowed to distribute the copies of your mixtape freely as long as you are not selling them for profit. If otherwise, when you intend to sell your mixtape for profit, then without obtaining prior permission from copyright owners and acquiring adequate rights can incur criminal liability upon you for wrongful gain and private profit-making on other’s creation. The terms & conditions for most of the beatmakers who provide beats for download on the internet allow users to freely use their beats for promotional purposes only and as long as there is no sale of any copy for profit. So in such cases, there is already an implied permission by the beatmakers to use their beats for your mixtapes if you are intending to distribute them for free and therefore you may not have to apply for permission from the copyright owners. However in other cases, it is advisable to seek prior permission to be on the safe side and also mention it in your CD label that permissions have been sought from so and so artists and/or producers. Artists must also take care to not use any logo or trademark belonging to any other company, business, artist, label etc on their CD covers so as to avoid violating trademark laws. It is interesting to note that the “Parental Advisory” label on CDs is actually a trademark owned by RIAA. However you can use such an advisory sticker on your CD labels without violating any trademark laws because such a trademark has become widely used now. A trademark owner loses the right to sue over a trademark if such a trademark has become hugely popular and is widely used by everyone, which is the case in respect of the Parental Advisory Trademark also. This is the reason why no one can allege trademark infringement if someone uses Xerox for photocopying machines because it has become widely used and synonymous with photocopying that even though Xerox was originally a trademark, no violation will occur anymore if its used by others who are not owners. Also it is a best practice to mention your address and contact details also on the CD Cover so as to not make the authorities suspicious. They would be suspicious where address is not mentioned as that is generally considered as a way to escape arrest and seizure by not providing any or incorrect address.

There are several certain other grey areas in our copyright laws relating to mixtapes, but however they would be dealt with in subsequent posts as they would be outside the scope of the present context. Nevertheless, mixtapes have always been used as a great marketing and promotional tool by upcoming artists and for gaining Street Credibility by established artists. Mixtapes have largely collaborated to a vibrant under-ground Hip Hop and it is but only a logical step forward in a rapper's journey before he breaks through to super stardom as was in the case of 50 Cent's rapping career. Although on the other hand, record labels see only violation of their statutory rights in the world of mixtape, where they see the works of their signed artists are being used in an unauthorized manner.

-

Brassic Bhai

Image from here

Anna Hazare and the Jan Lokpal Bill: Rebuttals to Critics

Yada yada hi dharmasya glaanirbhavati bharata |
Abhyuthanamadharmasya tathatmanam srijamyaham ||

As part of our Rap Battle Against Corruption Series. Click on the link to submit your creations in support of Anna Hazare.

Said so by Lord Krishna to Arjuna during the battle at Kurukshetra, when Arjuna was fighting a moral dilemma within himself to fight against his own brothers. These words were catalytic in moulding Arjuna’s stance in the war of righteousness when Arjuna was split between duties of dharma, duties towards his fellow brothers and the duty to achieve what was just. The primary reason behind Arjuna’s dilemma was that he was cogitating within the established institutions and notions of dharma. That is when Krishna narrated the entire Bhagavada Gita to him so as to help him resolve his moral dilemma and come victorious in the battle against the Kauravas. Bhagavad Gita or the Holy Gita is considered the greatest contribution from Ancient India and it provides all that is needed to raise the consciousness of humans to highest degree possible. The concepts of dharma and adharma have been central to ancient India's dealings and everyday life. Perhaps present day politicians and leaders had forgotten the essential teachings of the Holy Gita and need a lesson in history that when things get terribly rotten - someone will eventually rise upto the occasion and thwart evil.

Critics of the present movement and the Jan Lokpal bill are perhaps in such a dilemma which troubled Arjuna back then (If I may be politically correct) because they are thinking within established institutions and the doctrine of adequate separation of powers. Critics arguing that such a way of “influencing legislation through virtuous agitation and moral twisting”, seem to be oblivious (amusingly) of the fact that the new system being advocated is not presented as a way to fit it within the existing institutions, but as something which is different from how democracy is practiced in world nations these days. Perhaps those critics and sceptics are to lose much from a shaking up of these institutions, and such could be the reason behind them advocating for strengthening of basic institutions before pushing for this bill’s legislation. The last time such novel protests were criticised as blackmail; we were under the rule of britishers. So no wonder those most comfortable with present conditions will most surely advocate for such a line. Critics seem to brow beat the fact that the success of this movement will undermine representative democracy. Their argument is that an unelected body and group of people will in a way have control and scrutinizing powers over an elected body which are the “real” representatives of the people. Such an argument is obnoxious and grossly subversive because it fails to take into account the actual contours of democracy in India. It is not much of a hidden fact that persons with criminal antecedents, business connections and massive wealth are the ones who get elected and not every individual wishing to make a change can ever get a fair chance at elections. It is also a known fact that voter turnout in the country usually hovers around 55-60% in general elections. Which means if the ruling party garners 40% votes and gains majority in parliament, it is still not truly representative of the wishes of the majority in the strict sense as 40% is still less than half of the overall voting population. Then in what respects, can there be criticism to Hazare’s movement along the lines of representative democracy? I believe the killings of honest campaigners, whistleblowers, and people with integrity during elections also have been ignored while trumpeting up the virtues of representative democracy against the supposed “lawlessness and moral violence” of the present agitators. This argument if stretched could go onto even justifying implementing the AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Forces Act) to the rest of the country as well. Why? Because the elected representatives thought so and because the unelected bodies, NGO’s and social activists should not be in a position to influence legislation.

Critics like Pratap Bhanu Mehta points out that “moral imperatives” should not be employed to resolve questions of functioning of institutions. That if our concerns are not answered by the present institutions, then those institutions have to be reformed and strengthened at its foundations instead of indulging a “fast unto death” sort of protest which was deemed by him to be “crossing the limits of reasonableness”, taking help from B.R. Ambedkar’s position which warned against taking recourse to such methods as they could lead a democracy to a “grammar of anarchy”. Perhaps Ambedkar’s sentiments held a rational strain at that point of time when the zeal of our politicians and the breath of fresh air of independence still intoxicated our souls and only fed energies to our integrity and honesty. It will be puerile to impute that statement into present times when every other institution is rotting in the country eaten by termites of corruption and connivance. Interestingly, it is a change thats been advocated here and not strengthening of basic institutions which have been all major failures one after the other in resolving matters of corruption and scandals. The fear is that unbridled virtuosity may overcome practical objective realities and could lead to a probable persecution in future if such vast swathes of powers were granted to the jan lokpal. But this fails to account for a complete lack of virtuosity seen otherwise in a corruption ridden system supposedly based on an objective separation of power. Advocating that taking a moral high ground has no place in such an institutional setup is akin to saying that moral turpitude should not prick someone’s conscience over corruption in the same setup. Bravo!

Anna Hazare is a person who has led an unblemished, stoic and an inspiring life. So also have his supporters ranging from Kiran Bedi, Baba Ramdev and Arvind Kejriwal. While fears of who would decide who is morally high enough to grace the lokpal’s position have a valid basis, but for present purposes, it would take only an unfeeling person to believe that these persons are unsuitable for sitting on the committee for drafting this bill or possibly sitting on the lokpal’s bench itself. So what if in future the lokpal’s seat also gets corrupted or gets draconian? Won’t We The People of India come out to reform it once again? WhilePratap Bhanu may have problems with the idea of creating new institutions to replace older ones instead of reinforcing them, he may be pleased to know that new institutions infuse a new zeal and enthusiasm into the populace and the present agitation is a resounding testimony to it. Even life takes birth, grows and dies. Newer versions, newer things, newer ideas, newer products etc, keep the interest of us human beings alive. Corporations like Microsoft, Nokia and Apple have realised it. When will old hats and politicians realise it?

P.S – I am glad that Mahatma Gandhi gave us the noble ideas of non-violent protests and satyagraha or heads would have been rolling literally at the Jantar Mantar ala French Revolution style.

You can read the article by Pratap Bhanu Mehta here.

Rap BATTLE Against Corruption

Anna Hazare has easily become the conscience of the nation after he decided to go on a fast unto death (aamaran anshan) in order to persuade the Government to abrogate the Lokpal Bill in its present form and to involve the Civil Society and the public in its formulation. Anna Hazare has filled up that void of leadership which had hitherto left Indians directionless and cynical. Indians were overly critical of any politican who fashioned himself as a leader for the people because it was always evident that such a politician would be myopic and restricted in his agendas. For the same reason, the Marxist-maoist movement in India also could not fill the void of leadership because their agendas were restricted and did not curry favour with people in established homes. This is where Anna Hazare steps in whipping up nationalistic fervour after adopting Gandhian principles of protesting, which has once again gone on to show that Gandhian ideas have not become irrelevant in present day and age. It is because the birth of our nation was founded on such noble principles, that a national movement on this scale has been largely peaceful so far unlike any of the other movements in the arab world that took place only recently.

The Lokpal Bill had been languishing in the parliament for 42 years and had been introduced into the lower house a total of 10 times, but met with no success each time. It is for the passing of this bill, that Anna Hazare has chosen this novel protest to put the Government through the grind of accountability. The Bill is an anti-corruption bill, but in its present form which the Government is keen to pass will provide only advisory positions to the public Ombudsman who can only advise and give recommendations to the Government on matters of corruption. The agitation started by Anna Hazare is for passing the bill in a more stringent form which provides for strict public scrutiny and investigation by the Ombudsman of all government officials, including the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Judiciary. Those who oppose this agitation by Anna Hazare argue that the democratic model of Public Representation will be hijacked by NGO’s and Social Activists if law-making is influenced through these methods. But are not the wishes of the majority one of the basis upon which are based the prime fundamentals of a democracy? Yes, the entire nation wants the lokpal bill to pass in its stringent form and not just as a mere eye-wash. Democracy will be taken to a newer high if this movement comes to its logical fruition. The Bill’s opposers also say that giving responsibility to the larger civil society would result in a situation where it would be difficult to lay responsibility on any one person if something fails to succeed by advocating the saying that “No one is responsible when everyone is responsible”. This is a valid concern, but each and every method has its own pitfalls, and considering the present scenario, despite its potential pitfalls, this bill’s passage into a law in present circumstances will definitely be a step forward.

Regardless of what happens or eventually comes out of this movement, one thing is for certain that Indians can unite and come together on issues other than those related to Cricket. This is unfolding into a pan Indian Movement and has caught everyone’s imagination young or old. It has shown that Indians no longer will silently tolerate corruption as they have been for all these years. It has shown that Indians can always come together on a cause united and strong. Anna Hazare is our modern day leader for having shown us that it is possible.

It is in this respect, in celebration of our beloved leader that Hip Hop in India announces several contests for all the Rappers and Artists out there. Read the following:-

1) Rappers: a) Audio Contest – Release a track on this issue. The themes can be related to Corruption/Anna Hazare/Indians Against Corruption/United Indians. Once you are done with the track, just release the track at our Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/hiphopinindia

2) Lyricists: - Write lyrics/topicals on the abovementioned themes and send them to hiphopinindia@gmail.com. There is no line limit.

3) GFX Artists: Draw up a picture on any photo software or create your own images or edit any image showing your support for this movement/Anna Hazare/Fight Against Corruption.

The Winners in all the three categories will be felicitated by Hip Hop In India Blog and the winner of the audio contest will be promoted for a whole month at both this blog and at Indian Rap Forum. The Winners also will be interviewed by this Blog and given exposure to more readers and viewers. This Contest is open till May 30, 2011


Its time to show your solidarity with the movement. Time to be real. Time to be Indian. Time to bleed Saffron, White and Green and not just blue.

- Brassic Bhai.

- Pics from here and here

- Image editing by Poetik Justis.

The culture as different from the game

The culture passes through the history of Hip Hop, transferring from one generation of rappers to the other thus in a way preserving the culture in its birth form. Yet it remains a challenge to retain the culture in its originality. Hip hop as a form of culture had not taken roots in India, and therefore twin questions are posed regarding the culture in its original form. Whether the culture should be retained and transmitted as it is to this country or if such culture be incorporated with our own values thus granting the nascent culture a rebirth in our diverse country.
To achieve the answers to the first question, present era of Commercial Hip Hop which has successfully placed several rappers in much DESIRED lives of luxury, needs to undergo a self-introspection and reach back to the original days in order to reinvent the values of peace, love and harmony. Hip Hop Elements are art forms of self-expression tailored with amplified personalization and creativity. Considering the arts/skills as talent may bring in sufficient distinction and also the reasons for perceiving a transition in Hip Hop. Living the culture is achieved when the reality of the community, society & personal issues are addressed in a revolutionized way with those elements all the while maintaining the entire process a non-violent event. Hip Hop in India has not yet been brought to the attention of the common man who usually is the one who ends up facing oppression and corruption. In the present age culture is barely given due consideration as the emergence of popular music and themes plays more of a vital role in Hip Hop elements. Thus what is only capable of generating revenue in large malls, itunes, cities, urban centres, lounges, clubs is only being generated thus taking those artists away from the essence of the Original Culture.

If you are an artist and not known it signifies you are not even present in the game. The time you start visiting the cypher posing to be a contender, competition will grow and staying on top of the game becomes a predominant objective. Unity maybe affected as well as common interests may be subdued with motives of personal interest. Once you are on the stage your ‘Act’ should have a mass appeal and that becomes the focal point of one’s approach. The game gets even more derrty with hate, diss & backers trying to put each other down. Its’ more of a game than culture these days as to many who take it seriously may do anything for the money as THEY consider their talent as a livelihood . Commercial tracks may appeal to a select majority crowd and Underground lyrical tracks may have their own followers. In this capacity players oppose each other and the game continues….

‘Haterz’ – Watcha gon’ do when they come for you?

Playa hatin goes down in da game right from local artists {MC/Bboy/DJ/Graff artist/beatboxer} to global iconic ones. Playin a devils advocate has been by default a much easier venue to explore and many of their cynical traits give in to such roles. When little knowledge is worse than no knowledge (although haters may fall largely in this category) haters impede your progress and growth by putting you down on every aspect showing how little you know of anything. Hate is inevitable and one is likely to balance his progress with emerging and increasing number of followers outweighing haters. They are usually driving forces to excel in ones’ shortcomings. You may call yaself a thug u can be hated, you may be good at commercial stuff you will face hate. No matter how good you are at da thang you do there will be repercussion in the game. Having haters purely signifies that your presence is felt, there can be positive critics and the negative one who is a hater.

Local artists {MC/Bboy/DJ/Graff artist/beatboxer} may pretend to be best of mates when they meet but in the absence of one party bitchin goes on to a major extent. Hidden identities are used online to pass sarky comments on websites promoting local artists who equal a backstabber persona there also may be straight forward haters whose derogatory remarks cannot be digested. Although, ignoring haters can be a good option its not a remedy you need to keep track of who’s talking what about you. There is never going to be any healthy debate with haters. Defending title is challenging when critics evaluate your performance in such cases haters are irrelevant. Infact, critical reviewers are needed to tone your skills. Sometimes it may get hard to differentiate a critic from a hater and strong areas you need to work on maybe overlooked. Geographically each zonal ( North South West East) artist stick to their respective domicile and do not want to interact with different zones (depends but is evident). One strong point to be raised is don’t let a hater deprive you of what you do be yourself nothing can beat that. Facing haters will go smooth when you have a simply natural I don’t give a …. attitude Or question yourself Why so serious?