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Yo! What's Hip Hop? By C'est Le Nanan Translated by Richard Lu (§f¬F¿o)

     Hip-hop is more than just music: It's a lifestyle and a culture. DJing, dance, MCing, and graffiti are the four main elements of hip-hop. The spirit of hip-hop is best represented by rap music, which focus on rhythm and lyrics. This kind of music is closely related to street dance. Originally, the use of mixing tapes to create new tunes was novel. Graffiti, first used by gangs to mark their turf, later developed into an independent art form.

Hip-hop culture is popular in Taiwan. Magazines like Bang and Cool teach basic dance steps, and report the genre¡¦s newest fashions. Bang Sister, aimed at female readers, is somewhat like hiphop¡¦s Cosmopolitan. If you are interested in learning hip-hop dance--including freestyle, poppin¡¦, breakin¡¦, and lockin¡¦--you can take lessons at FelizFuFu Dance Studio (B1, 18, WuChang St, Sec. 2, (02) 2389-8462), Original Rhythm Dance Studio (2F, 41, JinShi St., (02) 2557-9438), or TBC Dance Studio (B1, 153, YanJi St., (02) 8773-6017). Analogue Park (4, Lane 91, WuChang St., Sec. 2, (02) 2370-6197) teaches from the basic rules of hip-hop music, including the use of mixing tapes, to a professional level

Specialty store DA PROJECT RECORDS, at 37, Lane 77, ChungHsiao E. Rd. Sec. 4 (tel: (02) 8771-6745) has hip-hop, rap, R&B, urban soul, funk, plus professional DJing equipment. For clothing and accessories, try Super Workshop (36-1, HanJung St., (02) 2389-8758), WOOD (24, Lane 96, KunMing St., (02) 2388-9572), or DOOBIEST (122, WuChang St. Sec. 2, (02) 2370-9171) which is owned by the famous DJ George.

    Some local hip-hop acts have started to get the public¡¦s attention. MC Hot Dog, Taiwan¡¦s first well-known rapper, has released three albums and an EP. Dog G,whose style is more Taiwanese, is admired by many.