Meh, just found this, peep it...

For anyone to even try to insinuate that Hip Hop is not of a complete and unique African/ African American tradition is an insult to everyone who truly loves the art. While it is true that all people who enjoy, buy, write about and participate in the culture TODAY are of different races- in the beginning it was black.

Rap music, is African oral poetry. It has been traced through rock, jazz, the blues and gospel to originate in West Africa. West Africa is where a majority of the first so-called slaves ( they were prisoners of war) were kidnaped from. This is documented in intmate detail by Dr. Kwaku Person-Lynn in his presentation "Rap Music: Afrika to Hip Hop". It can be purchased by Spirit Flight Productions at PO Box 2946 Inglewood, CA 9030. I don't remember how much the tape is- I just own one.