Teen Summit Tackles Hyphy Movement

Teen Summit Tackles Hyphy Movement
Written for the web by Cornell Barnard, Reporter

Modesto teens got their voices heard Saturday, speaking out at a teen summit about the controversial hyphy dance culture, often blamed for sparking violence and dangerous behavior.

Hundreds of teens spoke out on issues facing their community, but hyphy took center stage at the summit Saturday, part of the annual African-American Education Conference at Modesto Junior College.

Many teens said hyphy, a style of music and dance popularized in northern California hip-hop culture, has made its way from the Bay Area into inner-cities across the valley.

"Teachers don't teach it, but you learn it in school. Kids are walking with mp3 players, listening to it everywhere," said MJC student Darrel Crane.

Modesto Police blamed hyphy for a reported riot after a concert last fall. Hyphy activity is also blamed for sparking dangerous auto "sideshows," where drivers spin cars and perform other tricks frightening close to bystanders.

http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=24801

Too bad they can't be sensible like we were and do the Mashed Potatoes, the Frug, the Bump! Why can't they drag race or play chicken?

It's disgraceful, I tell you. Disgraceful!

(and yes, I was the teenager from hell.)

Rewind 80 years and this article could have been written about jazz. Rewind 60 years, and it would have been swing. 50 years, rock'n'roll. 40 years, Motown. 30 years, disco. 20 years, rap, and 10 years, raves.

This is just parental hysteria. These people need to get over themselves - their kids are not going to listen to the same music they did, and they're just going to have to accept it.