Chapter 5 'Represent': Race, Space, and Place in Rap Music by Murray Forman
I definitely found this article relatable. Though I am from a small, predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Queens, I grew up a lot of the time at a dance crew I was part of in Harlem. Growing up with my group of friends, I learned the meaning and the importance of territory and, basically as Forman said in a very academic and collegic way, everyone's "hood".
It is repped throughout the music industry constantly, rappers, singers and all types of artists incorporate aspects of their "hoods" into their songs, album covers and live performances. Nicki Minaj has mentioned several times that she is from Queens, the song "Where Brooklyn At?" clearly reps that borough, "Jenny from the Block" by Jennifer Lopez notes countless times that she is repping the Bronx.
I think it is important to have a place where one can always come back to. Having your own territory is always something powerful, it is the place that you know you will always have support and back. Many artists pay homage to the people of their territories because they know that those are the people who are keeping their career alive and thriving.
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