This literary work is a description of the documentary titled, "APACHE LINE: FROM GANGS TO HIP HOP". It was conceived by Jorge "POP MASTER FABEL" Pabon and Johnny "ZIP" Rodriguez. Savage Schoolin' Written by: Jorge "POP MASTER FABEL" Pabon. During the 1970's, New York City was the canvas for an extremely complex society of urban warriors with social and cultural imperatives. In this vibrant mosaic of cultures flourished a diverse population with varying traditions, characteristics and attitudes. The fast pace and aggressive nature of the city warranted the average urbanites development of survival instincts, finding ways to exist against all odds. Certain neighborhoods were truly concrete jungles laced with countless obstacles and an array of predators. Conscientious elders made an effort to educate their communities by sharing their history, wisdom and knowledge of self. These sages illuminated paths towards success by providing a strong foundation for the youth to build upon. Families who were economically challenged struggled by juggling a few jobs and mastered the art of "making a dollar out of fifteen cents". Quite often, parents and guardians were pre-occupied solely with providing for their families. Being a single parent meant spending even less time with their children. Many were not able to pass down social and cultural traditions and values. The youth were also challenged and effected by this hardcore reality. We were trying to find a sense of identity and acceptance. Some of us who couldn't find the answers at home filled this void with street life and culture. Venturing out into a world of gangs, drugs, crime, desperation, hostility and numerous other social ills. On this quest, some gravitated towards racial and ethnic commonality while others united on familiar principles and lifestyles. In extreme cases, young people were forcibly drafted into gangs. Preying on their fears and insecurities, gang recruiters would make them an offer they couldn't refuse. Hundreds of street families created their own jurisprudence and traditions. They varied in purpose and often clashed in the struggle to obtain respect, protect their turf and have a voice in their community. Among the numerous gangs in NYC, Manhattan was home to: the Viceroys, Satan Spades, Savage Samurais, Dynamite Brothers, and La West Side Familia. Turfs in the Bronx were divided among dozens of clubs including: the Ching-A-Ling Nomads MC, Savage Skulls, Savage Nomads, Seven Immortals, Bachelors and Black Spades. Clubs native to Brooklyn include: the Tomahawks, Dirty Ones, Devil's Rebels and Filthy Mad Dogs. Organizations fighting for social justice, such as The Black Panthers and The Young Lords, offered some of the street rebels a cause. Their influence provided a blueprint for structure and pro-activism. The Ghetto Brothers (Bronx) and The Renigades of Harlem (Spanish Harlem) made the transition from gangs to community advocates. Their metamorphosis became an example for hope and positive change amidst the chaos and confusion. On the flip side, certain gangs preferred lawlessness believing it was easier to survive living a life of crime and defiance. Influenced by the Hell's Angels' style and attitude, many wore customized outfits advertising their clubs name and emblem. These colors or patches typically represented the nature of the club. Just as indigenous tribes made unique distinctions in their apparel, street commandos strived for individualism. Gang culture embraced and created forms of artistic expression. From bombing the city with codified tags and pieces to uprocking against rivals, their talent and passion for art mirrored the zeal and loyalty to their clubs. In order to maneuver through turfs and neighborhoods, we relied on our heightened senses and instincts. Old timers and experienced youth used street knowledge in order to avoid trouble yet uphold respect in the hood. We sharpened our radar, developed the gift of gab and perfected our body language. From your talk on down to your walk we had to prove we had heart or risk being perceived as a sucker. Words were carefully chosen and diplomacy was the key to not getting stomped out. Ghetto passes were earned in different ways. Without claiming allegiance to any particular clique there were those who obtained status in their neighborhood by other means including: sports, street games, arts, humor, poise and fighting skills. The ghetto pass wasn't foolproof as it could be revoked at any time by an outlaw who did not respect or recognize this privilege. The gangs owned the streets providing both a sense of identity and security for some, while perpetuating terror and fear for others. This living canvas, New York City, reflected extreme sides of the spectrum. Its composition fused elements of avant-garde and realism without distinctive borders. When "Hip Hop" was just words in a rhyme, NYC's urban youth engaged in various forms of artistic self-expression. For the most part, these cultural components were recycled from previous creative movements. Music, speech, dance, art and fashion were among the elements either passed down by earlier generations or emulated by the next. Mentorship played a major role as skills were passed down to protégés. In certain cases, teachers referred to their students as sons/daughters. With this acquired knowledge came responsibility. The protégés were expected to carry on the reputation and expertise of the mentor since they were reflections of each other's dedication. Sons/daughters were also encouraged to respect their elders and take their skills to the next level in order to stay on top of the food chain. The most dedicated settled for nothing less than the best, representing to the fullest. We took great pride in our art, as it was an extension of our souls, marked our status and a source of self-empowerment. It was a means for achieving ghetto celebrity status. Getting there was half the battle; the other half was maintaining our rank in a highly competitive arena. At the epicenter of this great renaissance there were the jams. Block parties became our powwows. These cultural gatherings served as a place to exhibit our skills, engage in artistic warfare and network. For the most part it was a celebration of life through art. These all age events were free and accessible to the community. They provided an alternative to the negative activities that plagued our neighborhoods. Although violence still threatened our communities, artistic expression became tools of war as we battled for king and queenship. These cultural imperatives were obtained by any means necessary. Plazas and schoolyards were occupied without permits. Electricity was jacked from the lamppost giving power to the DJ's equipment. Subway cars and handball courts became galleries for outlaw artists. The spirit of revolution echoed into the dawn of a new era, the epoch of Hip Hop culture. Outdoor jams and community events provided a platform for the unification of various art forms. DJs, MCs, dancers, and writers became identified as components of a common movement eventually labeled Hip Hop. Each component has it's own history and social circles. The earliest Hip Hop practitioners were known to represent more than one element, the common denominators being rhythm and style. Passion, fury and aggression were carried into the next phase of this phenomenal renaissance. Very few people survived the voyage from gangs to Hip Hop, as we now know it. Those who did wear hard earned patches and metals of honor fastened on their hearts. These highly decorated soldiers are human embodiments of today's most influential cultural movement. They carry the history and legacy of countless warriors. "APACHE LINE: FROM GANGS TO HIP HOP" captures testimony from some of these folk heroes who reveal untold chapters of New York City's urban history. Hip Hop icons such as: Afrika Bambaataa, T.KID 170 and INK 76 share their trials and tribulations experienced during the transition from gang to Hip Hop culture. Former gang members describe how they fought for survival and a sense of identity. "APACHE LINE" gives us an insider's view of a place that time forgot. This documentary also focuses on accountability and encourages our youth to think critically about decisions they make. It represents the experiences of generations of Americans and many who continue to search for acceptance, love and a family. ©2008 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED