The hip-hop world suffered a major loss this past week with the death of one of it’s earliest pioneers, who is arguably the most responsible for the spread of rap music. On Friday, October 2nd, John Rivas, aka Mr. Magic, died of a heart attack in Brooklyn, New York at the age of 53.

When was the last time you heard a Redman song on the radio?? Have you seen any Talib Kweli videos lately?? Ever heard Crooked I over the airwaves??

The fabric of hip hop is one which was woven from the urban culture of inner city New York. It encompasses all of the characteristics of the gritty streets from which it evolved.

Sticky Fingaz getting knocked out on MTV, a picture of Prodigy in a ballet outfit displayed on a huge projection screen at a rap mega-concert, photos of Rick Ross in a Correction Officer uniform.

When we listen to hip hop music, we assume that we are listening to the thoughts and experiences from that artist first hand.

Shots ring out disturbing a hot, but otherwise tranquil, summer night. The sounds of scattering feet drown out the faint melody from the ice cream truck down the block.