For the last 30 years, hip-hop culture has played a major role in shaping my life.  I have actively participated in its original five elements (clothes, language, graffiti, music and dance) while admirably watching it grow into a world economic powerhouse.  Being that I grew up in New York City in the 70’s and 80’s and remember when hip-hop was “just a local thing us New York City kids did”, sometimes I can’t help to feel like a proud parent whose watched their kid grow from a new born infant to a respected citizen of the world.

One of the elements I believe hip-hop should be noted for is the evolution of the urban “hustle”. The “hustle” was mostly about doing what one could do to create a cash flow. Whether it was selling CDs on the street corner, or opening upa sneaker store, or creating and managing a local hip-hop group, this thing we now call hip-hop, helped form a nation of entrepreneurs and high ranking professionals.

The ideal of rebellion is deep rooted in hip-hop.  Breaking the rules and a “F**k the system” attitude is what propelled many Urban Americans into the higher education and economic status.  We were not supposed to win with the cards we were dealt.  Call it arrogance, defiant, or whatever. I call it American.  For middle class Americans who aspire to be rich, it’s imperative we adopt and embrace the mindset of “us against them” or “haters make me greater”.  This type of hip-hop ideal brews the type of independent, self-reliant mindset, which is the essential ingredient to becoming a self-made success story.

However, unlike the quote, “knowledge is power”, I always said, “Action is power”. Doing something generates more results than simply knowing something. See, the curse of today is the lack of action and the abundance of information. Knowledge today is more easily accessible than any other time in history.  It is the lack of authentic “hustle”, in combination of information that produces major results.  Is it hard? Of course. Nevertheless, the only other option is to be average…not for me and don’t think it’s for you either.

Since we are talking hip hop and hustle, I want to leave you with one of the greatest examples of hustle there is in hip hop today. His name is Jay Z.  Going beyond the scope of music, Jay-Z  has created and sold clothing lines, record labels and beer. He’s in the Guinness Book Of Records for the most entires at No. 1 on U.S. albums chart by a rapper. His “hustle” drove him to create a potential 11th number one album. Here’s a short promo of newest album “The Blueprint 3″

Have a Great Weekend!

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