THE DEAN

Voice of Harlem, Words Paul Johnson Jr

Over time, the voice of Harlem has changed. During the early years, Harlem was known for soul food and beautiful music. Drugs came in and swept the spirit straight out of the 100’s blocks and left homes broken and dope-fiends standing acute to the buildings that once housed legends like Peewee Kirkland and Angela Davis.

Now, Harlem hosts the likes of Bill Clinton and Jim Jones. Although some see Harlem as what it used to be, let’s look at what it is now. The music is still there, the pride is still there and the basketball is probably better than it’s ever been. The hats are a little bigger, the clothing’s a little baggier and the shoestrings are a little looser but the Soul is still tight, the pockets are still fat and the trumpets still blow to the sweet tune of Bessie Smith (in the form of Dipset… of course).