I do think that hip-hop has a relationship with comic book culture, and Kung Fu movies too, for that matter.
Ali Shaheed MuhammadThe basic idea of a hero rising up to represent an oppressed or disenfranchised group of people is as true to hip-hop as it is comic book lore.
Ali Shaheed MuhammadTake emceeing, one of the foundations of hip-hop culture. A guy grabs a mic, steps up on stage and becomes a spokesman; the voice of the people. If anything, that might be the strongest similarity between hip-hop and comic books, with super heroes, like many rappers, fighting to make a change.
Ali Shaheed MuhammadThere's the shared imagery between hip-hop and comics, with some producers and emcees taking on super hero personas.
Ali Shaheed MuhammadFor the future, be true to yourself. If you're gonna be influenced by someone be influenced by them. Don't cop them so much that you're a clone. No one wants to deal with a clone. There's not that much more substance in being a clone, but definitely be influenced by people...take what you can from that and sculpt it into your own situation. In doing so, you'll be happy and I think your people will be happy listening to what you do.
Ali Shaheed Muhammad