This is A Love Letter to Hip Hop for me because hip hop is the love of my life
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Photo credit: Patrick Robertson
Photo credit: Patrick Robertson.
"I think it's important for us to celebrate hip hop because it's an art form, it's a culture that was created for us by us almost out of necessity…
Photo credit: Patrick Robertson
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Credits:
Kimberly Paige, EVP and CMO, BET and Executive Producer
Monique Ware, Executive Producer
Kim Osorio, Executive Producer
Rhonda Cowan, Talent - BET.com and Executive Producer
Founded in 1973 as a form of expression that carefully depicted the struggles of a marginalized community, Hip Hop is now a global ecosystem and lifestyle. At BET, we are proud to support, advance and celebrate Black culture and Hip Hop this year and beyond.
Hip Hop has indeed taken it this far — we always believed that it would.
This Love Letter was shot on December 26, 2022. And as cold as it may have been outside that day in New York City, the microphone at that studio in Brooklyn was on fire when the cameras started rolling. Bar-for-bar, Black Thought challenges listeners to think about Hip Hop’s origin, how far it’s come and its future. The whole set was in awe of his ability to capture this historical piece in one take.
It was important to visually represent Black Thought’s words to tell this story brilliantly captured by the acclaimed Director Benny Boom. These two Hip Hop pioneers pay homage to all that is Hip Hop (MCing, DJ’ing, Graffiti, Breakdancing and Tagging) showing its expansive reach and influence in film, fashion, technology and business.
Black Thought (on bars) + Benny Boom (on visuals) = Hip Hop Magic.
Known to most as Black Thought, Tariq Trotter pens a love letter to the culture, as Hip Hop turns 50. These are words from one of Hip Hop’s most prolific thinkers. As he himself celebrates his 50th birthday, The Roots crew front man sets off BET’s celebration of all things Hip Hop. You can thank us later.
Respectfully, Black Thought
no matter what medium you're working in, if you're painting a picture, if you're writing a book, if you're writing a song, those works of art that resonate the most are when you actually pour your true self into it
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It feels great to see those visuals, man. When I initially wrote the piece based off the treatment that Benny sent me, that's the way I saw it in my head
“
Photo credit: Patrick Robertson
Photo credit: johnny nunez/ Getty
Photo credit: johnny nunez/ Getty
CREDITS
KIM OSORIO - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
MONIQUE WARE - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Hip Hop is a cultural movement founded in 1973 as a form of expression that carefully depicted the struggles of a marginalized community. And given that BET has always been at the center of Black culture we pledge continued dedication to the preservation, authentication and celebration of Hip Hop beyond this year. Hip Hop has indeed taken it this far, and here at BET, we always believed that it would.
Love Letter was shot on December 26, 2022. And as cold as it may have been outside that day in NY, the microphone at that studio in Brooklyn was on fire when the cameras started rolling. Penned in less than a week, bar-for-bar, Black Thought challenges listeners to think about Hip Hop’s origin, how far it’s come and its future. The whole set was in awe of his ability to deliver one takes of this piece.
These two Hip Hop pioneers pay homage to the elements of Hip Hop. Along with rap–the dominant element of Hip Hop these days, DJ’ing, graffiti, and breakdancing are all being individually highlighted to remind viewers of Hip Hop’s expansive artistic reach. Visually, the experience of a Benny Boom was critical to bringing this to life.
Tariq Trotter (on bars) + Benny Boom (on visuals) = Hip Hop Magic.
Black Thought pens a love letter to the culture, as Hip Hop turns 50. These are words from one of hip hop’s most prolific thinkers, still in his prime. As he himself celebrates his 50th birthday, the Roots crew frontman sets off BET’s celebration of all things Hip Hop. You’re welcome.
Respectfully, Black Thought
Photo credit: Patrick Robertson.
I think it's important for us to celebrate hip hop because it's an art form, it's a culture that was created for us by us almost out of necessity…
“
“
Photo credit: Patrick Robertson.
no matter what medium you're working in, if you're painting a picture, if you're writing a book, if you're writing a song, those works of art that resonate the most are when you actually pour your true self into it
“
”
Photo credit: johnny nunez/ Getty
“
“
It feels great to see those visuals, man. When I initially wrote the piece based off the treatment that Benny sent me, that's the way I saw it in my head
This is A Love Letter to Hip Hop for me because hip hop is the love of my life
“
”
Photo credit: johnny nunez/ Getty
“