The Five Elements Of Hip-Hop: • MCing: Also known as emceeing or rapping, this is the oral element where MCs use rhythmic speaking and storytelling through lyrics • DJing: This element involves the use of turntables and a mixer to create music by scratching, mixing, and manipulating records. • Breakdancing: A physical and dance-oriented element that involves complex, athletic, and gravity-defying movements. • Graffiti: The visual element, where artists use spray paint to create tags and murals on public surfaces, often turning the city into a canvas. • Knowledge: The fifth element, which refers to the collective understanding of the culture’s history, social and political issues, and the knowledge needed to master the other four elements. It is sometimes considered the most important element, providing the foundation and purpose for the others
“The idea that knowledge is the fifth element of hip-hop is credited to Afrika Bambaataa, an influential DJ in the early days of hip-hop. He considers knowledge to be the most important element of them all. According to him, a person cannot MC, DJ, breakdance, or make graffiti without having knowledge, the fifth element that ‘brings it all together.’”
If a painting is created mainly to match a luxurious interior rather than to express something deeply personal or challenge ideas, then it leans more toward decorative art, even if it’s technically a painting. It becomes part of the decor rather than a standalone statement.
That raises an interesting question—does the intent of the artist or the way the artwork is used define whether it’s fine art or decorative art? If someone paints with raw emotion and meaning but it ends up as a luxury wall piece, does that change what it is?
Especially with modern abstract painting—it’s everywhere in high-end homes, hotels, and corporate spaces. A lot of it seems designed to be aesthetically pleasing but not too thought-provoking, so it blends into the environment rather than demanding attention. It feels like abstraction has been commercialized into a luxury good rather than a form of deep expression, at least in many cases.
Of course, that doesn’t mean all abstract art today is purely decorative. There are still artists pushing boundaries and using abstraction in meaningful ways. But a lot of what sells seems to be more about fitting a vibe than saying something.
There’s lots of ways to be, as a person. And some people express their deep appreciation in different ways. But one of the ways that I believe people express their appreciation to the rest of humanity is to make something wonderful and put it out there.
And you never meet the people. You never shake their hands. You never hear their story or tell yours. But somehow, in the act of making something with a great deal of care and love, something’s transmitted there. And it’s a way of expressing to the rest of our species our deep appreciation. So we need to be true to who we are and remember what’s really important to us.
