According to Jason "Phatz" Kirkman, hip-hop has been misused and misappropriated. He’s written a book to shine a light on how the genre originated in the Bronx in the mid-60’s, as a peaceful, cultural alternative to crime. Phatz is on a mission to help youth understand hip-hop’s true purpose and to take it back. Here's an article worth reading to understand some of Phatz' work:  Mentors and hip-hop combine in Virginia Beach Here's a link to the Kindle edition of Phatz' book:   OFFSTAGE: The Culture of Hip Hop Before the Elements  Here's a description of the book:  OFFSTAGE offers the reader a look at Hip-Hop from a historical perspective and a cultural perspective. The history of a people will give you people, places, times and things that culminate in their experiences. The culture of a people tell you who the people were in their heart and soul. It gives you insight on their walk, their talk and how their path formed and shaped them. The original people of Hip-Hop accomplished way more than redefining the get down part of a song. Before anyone can begin expressing their artistic and musical capabilities (the elements) they must first present themselves to you. OFFSTAGE gives you the opportunity to get to know the original people of Hip-Hop before the party started. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/onewhiteteacher/message