Article by Josef Sorett

In mid-March, 2002, the Hiphop Archive began the Hiphop Virtual Zones Project as a part of its Virtual Collection. We define zones as cities, regions, communities, nations or any defined Hiphop area.

The broader goal of the Virtual Collection is to compile and organize a database of all existing websites that have subject matter and/or visual representations from within the global Hiphop scene. Researchers on this project conduct thematic and geographic-specific internet research documenting and downloading Hiphop-relevant web content.

The Hiphop Virtual Zones Project began with five undergraduates. Over the past few months each researcher has been exploring a specific region known for its unique Hiphop scene.  Because of the particular contributions of each Zone, these strategically identified areas have been targeted as critical zones. The initial Hiphop Zones include Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Oakland, Florida and Louisiana.

In recognizing Hiphop’s origins and continuing roots in the community, our first research category of inquiry was community organizations. So far our researchers have catalogued over one hundred websites dedicated to topics ranging from Graffiti to Hiphop’s presence within educational institutions. Here’s a quick sample of some of the cyber-stuff that caught our search-eyes thus far.

On the community front, check out: http://www.innerstrength.org - “A counter-gang, pro-social group in which teenagers can meet their developmental needs for a sense of connection, belonging, self-definition, and opportunities of excitement, academic growth and mastery.” Inner Strength recruits young men to participate in Hip Hop Forums to engage in open conversation as a part of the “Nation Time Syndicate's Life Issues Dialogue Series.”

Looking for a blend of social justice that leans to the artistic side? http://www.rampartjuice.com/ - JUICE (Justice by Uniting in Creative Energy) seeks “to address the root causes of juvenile crime and of  youth’s need for belonging by providing a safe center run by and for young people focused on skill building in the arts surrounding hip hop culture: word, art, music, and dance.”

On the flip side, for anyone who doubts that there is still resistance to Hiphop:
http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/teametro/graffiti.htm - This is an organization committed to “keeping our neighborhoods clean,” by getting rid of graffiti. For over five years Team Metro has sponsored an anti-graffiti contest, Graffitibusters, which has youth create private graffiti that discourages public graffiti.

While these sites are just a sample, The Hiphop Virtual Zones Project team and the Archive staff are excited by the challenges of exploring and documenting the numerous and diverse representations of Hiphop on the ever-growing World Wide Web. We will continue to report on and add virtual zones throughout the year.

Contact: Josef Sorett sorett@hiphoparchive.org