HIP-HOP IS WRESTLING, AND WRESTLING IS HIP-HOP
The same principles apply…
April 21st, 2020
OPINION | HIP-HOP IS WRESTLING, AND WRESTLING IS HIP-HOP
By DA Donnieboy
Some of the most die-hard fans you will ever encounter are true fans of professional wrestling, and true fans of hip-hop. These two mediums will get a crowd rocking like nothing you've ever seen, will keep a spectator's attention from beginning to end and has the most replay value out of anything that is consumed in today's age. I'm an elite fan of both things, so I know from experience how intoxicating either can be. It's also really easy to find a fraud in the audience, or a casual attender apart from an expert. In either form of entertainment, the fans hold ownership over the hype surrounding the art-form. This is ours, and if you ain't down, you aren't allowed in.
The more you think about it, the more the similarities between these art-forms is uncanny. Everything from being attracted to the characteristics being displayed, getting attached to their signature tactics, or overall just feeling able to relate to that character. Both of these mediums have fallen soldiers that are forever marred in controversy, but are also examples of how to do exhibit the skills needed for longevity and success. (Chris Beniot and 2Pac come to mind.) The stigma also exists for fans of these genres, receiving large amounts of criticism for even being fans of wrestling or hip-hop, instead of being a fan of reality shows or pop rap for example. We have all of the same highs, all of the same lows, and the overall sense of pride and unity. But let's dig into some specifics.
WE ARE IN LOVE WITH THE CHARACTERS, NOT THE PEOPLE.
In most forms of entertainment or media, it's almost impossible to separate the character from the actual human being. Well, that isn't a normal occurrence in hip-hop or in professional wrestling. The people we grew up watching, the people we idolize, the people we look up to and emulate; If you notice, they aren't the humans behind the characters, they are simply the characters themselves. We don't praise Clifford Smith, we praise Method Man. We don't idolize Richard Fliehr, we idolize Ric Flair. The images they represent, the skills they exhibit, the rush they give us, that's what we appreciate. That's what we remember. In these circles, we know that if we look further into people's personal lives, things may get a little foggy. So, instead of ruining the mystique, we separate the men from the myth.
“The people we grew up watching, the people we idolize, the people we look up to and emulate; If you notice, they aren't the humans behind the characters, they are simply the characters themselves”.
WE FOCUS ON SKILL, NOT ON HYPE.
It's painfully obvious that in this day and age, people consume music and television with no rhyme or reason, other than they know other people listen to or watch it. If you ask them why they are avid listeners or viewers or something, most won't even know how to respond. Or they'll just say "everybody's doing it". In order to be a true fan of hip-hop, or a true fan of wrestling, you have to actually be invested in the product. You have to feel it, want it, dedicate yourself to it. The fans reflect the players in that regard, as hip-hop artists and professional wrestlers can only satisfy their most extreme crowds by displaying amazing skill and ability. If you're rapping in front of a rabid crowd, hungry for content and style, you'd better come with some great punchlines, fantastic flows and overall good stage energy, or you're going to get booed out of the building. If you wrestle for a capacity crowd who expect to see a night of dazzling grappling, you better come with high-impact manoeuvres, rock-solid mat wrestling and charisma that will get the crowd to participate. You can't just fake it 'til you make it over here, this ain't a game.
WE LIVE FOR THE ART, NOT THE DOLLARS.
Being able to make a living off of what you love doing is probably the goal for every human on earth. But doing things simply for money isn't the way to live. In fact, there's little difference from that type of person and a common prostitute. Most of the wrestlers die-hard fans love, and most of the hip-hop artists who are widely revered, live by the motto of "Do it for the art, not the fortune and fame". Sure, lots of money comes with it, but that part is a bonus, considering that some people in these fields were, can, and in some cases, do other things to make money. But the thrill of performing keeps coming back up in their hearts. It's an itch they can't fully scratch, a drug that can't be kicked. So in essence, the people we praise are slaves to our fandom, rather than slaves to their employers. The wrestling superstar, Edge, recently told fans that he was a junkie for the rush of being able to perform in the ring, and on the hip-hop side, does the term "Microphone Fiend" mean anything to you?
There are many things in hip-hop and professional wrestling that mirror each other, but one thing stands above all; The performers and fans are the most energetic, involved and enthralled people of any other performance art on the globe. We wear our fandom and professionalism on our sleeves as badges of honor, showing people that we are in this together, we are one and we stand together. The next time you see someone wearing a wrestling t-shirt, or you hear someone rapping lyrics you know, give them a shout. You might have a lot more in common with them than you think…
#HipHop #Wrestling #ProWrestling #WWE #2Pac #ChrisBenoit #DameDash #MethodMan #RicFlair # #Edge #Rakim #MicrophoneFiend #HipHop #DADonnieboy