New York Ricans from the Hip Hop Zone

New York Puerto Ricans have been an integral part of hip hop culture since the very beginning: from 1970s pioneers like Rock Steady Crew's Jo-Jo, to recent rap mega-stars Big Punisher and Angie Martinez. Yet, Puerto Rican participation and contributions to hip hop is frequently downplayed, if not completely ignored. When their presence has been acknowledged, it is usually misinterpreted as a defection from Puerto Rican culture and identity into the African American camp. But, Rivera argues, nothing could be further from the truth. Through hip hop, Puerto Ricans have simply stretched the boundaries of Puerto Ricanness and latinidad .

Raquel Z. Rivera is a freelance journalist whose articles have appeared in El Diario/La Prensaand Hoyin New York, El Nuevo Dfaand The San Juan Starin Puerto Rico, and in magazines like Critfcas, New York Latino, In the House and Stress. A member of the Puerto Rican music group, "Yerba Buena," Rivera lives in El Barrio, New York City.