How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
One evening a music video that consisted of a bunch of young black fellows talking really fast came on the television. The four of us sat there mesmerized by the song, trying to understand what the black fellows were saying. At the end of the video, some letters came up at the bottom of the screen. They read "Sugarhill Gang, 'Rapper's Delight.'" Junior quickly wrote it down on a piece of paper. After that, we came to the quarters every other weekend to study that kind of music on television. We didn't know what it was called then, but I was impressed with the fact that the black fellows knew how to speak English really fast, and to the beat. (1.2)
This is Ishmael's first time hearing rap music and it's actually a pretty big moment in his life. Rap not only helps him in the good times, it's helps him through some tough spots during the war. It even saves his life. More music, less problems.
Quote #2
Junior, Talloi, and I listened to rap music, trying to memorize the lyrics so that we could avoid thinking about the situation at hand. Naughty by Nature, LL Cool J, Run-D.M.C., and Heavy D & The Boyz; we had left home with only these cassettes and the clothes that we wore. I remember sitting on the verandah listening to "Now That We Found Love" by Heavy D & The Boyz and watching the trees at the edge of town that reluctantly moved to the slow wind. (1.39)
Music is an escape from the awful reality around Ishmael's life. It's also his only connection back to home. That and the clothes on his back. We guess if you're stuck with only a few cassette tapes, those are some good ones.
Quote #3
The crowd shouted, "Drown the rebels." The guards walked into the circle and started searching our pockets. One of them found a rap cassette in my pocket and handed it to the chief. He asked for it to be played.
You down with OPP (Yeah you know me)
You down with OPP (Yeah you know me)
You down with OPP (Yeah you know me)
Who's down with OPP (Every last homie)The chief stopped the music. He stroked his beard, thinking.
"Tell me," he said, turning to me, "how did you get this foreign music?"
I told him that we rapped. He didn't know what rap music was, so I did my best to explain it to him. "It is similar to telling parables, but in the white man's language," I concluded. I also told him that we were dancers and had a group in Mattru Jong, where we used to attend school. (6.9-13)
Hip hop saves lives. Once the chief hears the boys talk about their past and their rap group, he realizes they aren't actually a threat. Crisis averted thanks to Naughty By Nature.