This issue of THAT is about what battling means to Hiphop and how our understanding of the battle can serve as a lesson for the rest of the world. In Hiphop, a battle is about a disagreement over who is better or best at something. There are classic Hiphop battles between emcees, b-boys and b-girls, graf artists, turntablists and others. If you think about how these battles occur, not only do you witness two highly skilled individuals competing over their artistry, but everyone who hears and sees them also learns a little more about Hiphop and how to build. For example, in this issue, many writers talk about old school battles. Whether it’s LL vs. Kool Moe Dee, The Bridge battles, and even the X-men vs. the Skratch Piklz, you learn about technique, skillz, humor, history, technology, politics, linguistics, history, neighborhoods, police brutality, pimps, teachers, liars, preachers and so on! These battles help build communities while war, beefs and gang activity destroy them.

We have all experienced war and the aftermath when there is no intention to battle for principles. During the Iraq war and now, I hear young men and women refer to the conflict as a dispute headed by a leader who only cares about his turf and his people. They refer to the president proudly as the archetype of a gang leader and are mystified that most Americans consider it an insult. The metaphors are troubling not only because they indict our government, but because they work so well. Any teenager can tell you that the easiest thing to do when there is a conflict or beef with someone is to abandon negotiation, mediation and conversation and just fight, seek revenge, and get even. These types of disputes can happen over pride, misunderstanding or simply a need to bully because that’s all you have going for yourself. Hiphop emerged out of a desire to stop gang fighting, wars and pointless destruction. We know that the real battle is not against something—it’s for something. It is to stand up to tests of character and courage and practice; it is to learn, demonstrate, and compete and to get up and try again. This battle is not only for recognition, it is to create, learn, recognize and then perform and practice what is learned within an artist’s personal style.

For many of us, Hiphop is the only place where we feel we are heard and represented. There are explicit rules of fair play that may vary, but we always know how the competition is won and lost. These competitions also include the unspoken rule about how to lose and how to win with pride and dignity. Not everyone can battle within these rules. Some win and behave as though they invented the victory dance. Others lose like a two year old in tantrum mode. Both are embarrassing. It is at these moments that performers’ crews come into focus. Weak crews try to tear up the place and look for, humiliate and fight anyone who is truthful or ruthlessly honest. Strong crews work with a performer on their attitude so that they represent whether they win or go down in battle. Even when performers and crews are acting outside the rules, everyone knows that if we come back to the basic principles, we can pull off an agreement. This is possible because the rules do not shift based on race, gender, economic standing, popularity or who owns the club and who’s winning. Hiphop has principles and we battle over them and for them. The battle for Hiphop and excellence, truth, fairness and dignity is what the Hiphop Archive has to offer. And it may well be everything that we need.

Marcyliena Morgan
Editor-in-Chief
THAT