New York Times says "Ask a Hip Hop Veteran"

This week the prestigous New York Times opened its blog to Jorge "Fabel" Pabon, hip hop historian and adjunct professor at NYU.

photo credit: Joe Conzo

"Born and raised in Spanish Harlem, Mr. Pabon Mr. Pabon has appeared in several documentaries and films, including the hip-hop cult classic movie “Beat Street,” “From Mambo to Hip-Hop” and VH1’s “The White Rapper Show,” as well as Rennie Harris’s theatrical production “Legends of Hip-Hop.” He also choreographed the hip-hop theater piece “Dreamscape” by the playwright Rickerby Hinds." New York Times.

Q&A Today was the last day that Fabel took questions from the public-at-large about hip hop. The New York Times City Room's "Ask a Hip Hop Veteran" had no room for "which rap artist is dissing whom?," or "Did Russell Simmons really sell hip hop out?" Nope! Only intellectual questions on the culture were blogged. To see the answers go to the New York Times:

"Q: Is it true that black youths in the U.S have abandoned hip-hop culture?" Posted by Chris Cager.

"Q: Why is it the culture of hip-hop continues to grow, expand, study itself, and drive new styles overseas, but in the United States, it seems like the pioneers are disgruntled, the mainstream does not care, and the underground is so weak in terms of resources and impact that they are nonexistent? Can you explain to those unaware what the 5th element of hip-hop is?" Posted by Mr Ask A Question. Posted by Tahirah Abdullah.

"Q: My department, the Educational Opportunity Centers, at Penn State University is having its first Study of Hip-Hop conference this weekend. Most of the 100 registered attendees are college students, some are still in high school, some are parents, faculty or staff members. We are emphasizing the four basic elements in sessions that focus on hot topic issues like women in hip-hop, violence and the economics of the music. As we convene the conference, what should we say to the youth on your behalf? If you had one message to give them about hip-hop and your role in it, what would it be? We’ll read them your thoughts at the conference."

The four hip hop artforms Representing graffiti art, Lee Quinones, of Wild Style fame, was featured in the same blog section this past March in "Ask a Graffiti Artist." Read Lee's three-part responses here!