HR0377 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0377 LRB103 33731 LAW 63545 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the music genre of hip-hop for its cultural and social impact in commemoration of its 50th anniversary on August 11, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Hip-Hop is a political and musical movement with a distinct culture, with its four core facets being DJing, MCing, otherwise known as rapping, break dancing, and street art or graffiti; the genre's rise can be attributed to Black artists who persisted and continue to push barriers and stand up for their right to be heard; and

WHEREAS, Hip-hop's influence has reverberated across countless industries, including music, fashion, and sports, and has spread from New York to every U.S. state and around the world; the genre has also spawned the subgenres of gangster, conscious, rap rock, and drill, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, Hip-Hop was created through the house party scene thanks to the efforts of such disc jockeys as Frankie Knuckles, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Steve "Silk" Hurley, Jesse Saunders, Ron Hardy, and many more creating house music, the predecessor to modern electronic music, around the same time as hip-hop's rise during the 80s; and

WHEREAS, Hip-Hop's evolution continued into the 90s with legendary artists 2Pac, Biggie, Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and others; during this era, the genre's status was constantly challenged and upheld by the courts, which affirmed an artist's right to free speech; and

WHEREAS, Hip-Hop reached meteoric heights in the 2000s and beyond; through the work of such artists as 50 Cent, Drake, Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole, the genre's place as the dominant popular music genre of the United States was firmly cemented; according to global marketing research firm Nielsen, the genre, listed as hip-hop/modern R&B, finally overtook rock music as the highest selling music genre in the United States in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Hip-hop artists of Illinois have made significant contributions to the development of hip-hop, and they include Kanye West, Twista, Common, Chief Keef, and Chance the Rapper; and

WHEREAS, Kanye West and Common, two of hip-hop's most popular artists, were both born and raised in the Southeast Side of Chicago, with the former hailing from the South Shore neighborhood and the latter originating from the Calumet Heights neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, Kanye West has flourished in a career spanning more than 20 years, influencing generations of artists in all genres; his talent and impact have been solidified by his 24 Grammy wins, his 84 RIAA-certified platinum digital singles, the most of any artist, and more; and

WHEREAS, Common has succeeded in a career lasting more than 30 years, working to make an impact in hip-hop, film, activism, and more; his talent and impact have been demonstrated by his three Grammy wins, his multiple RIAA certifications, and through his roles in film, television, gaming, and activism; and

WHEREAS, Hip-Hop continues to have an impact on our society through its influence on music, culture, fashion, and beyond; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the music genre of hip-hop in commemoration of its 50th anniversary and its continued cultural and social impact on the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Governor, the Lt. Governor, the Speaker of the House, the Mayor of the City of Chicago, Kanye West, and Common.