ABSTRACT
This chapter starts out with an autobiographical anecdote about playing in an Indie band in the early 1980s before being awoken to the importance of New School Hip-Hop. It shifts from initial subjective impressions and memories towards a more objective historicisation of its theme, while nevertheless maintaining a strong sense of general affirmation and enthusiasm for its topic. As part 1 of a two-part essay it sets a scene and lays out ideas to be pursued in the subsequent part.
