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Calling all hip hop practitioners, it’s that time again. Last night the CBS television show “Cold Case” took it back to the bridge, Philly style in it’s latest episode “Read Between The Lines.” Philadelphia has always had rapper contributors from the Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff all the way to The Roots. As hip hop still remains a fighting force in many cultures world wide, this notable direction demonstrates that the music so many still appreciate is in fact valid.

In this episode the team re-opens the 1991 death of a talented 14-year-old rapper girl Donalyn Sullivan who was placed into foster care with her sister. Donalyn Sullivan who takes on the alias Suga Don, becomes new to the neighborhood and discovers this new clashing vibrant sound much like something out of the intro from the movie “Brown Sugar.” It was like a flashback to the early days of rhyming as teenagers gathered in intimate circles to spit the hottest 16. Head nods to all of the actual song placements by real emcees throughout the segment.

The central character falls emotionally in love with the music because it’s a true outlet for her to express what others would normally ignore. She is searching to find herself as the music is also struggling to grasp it’s own definition. The episode almost hints at the origins of conscious rap while Suga Don decides to stop with the cheaper form of music that sells quick and embrace the message of her soul which is yearning to rap something with a point rather than cars and clothes for a subject matter. She resides to compose a song based on meaning, which turns out to literally be an out cry for help. 

The “Cold Case” script was well written and richly executed as one of the main detectives, a middle aged white woman asked a suspect in her coolest down voice whether the possible drama occurred because they were still “beefin!” The episode reminded viewers of the male dominated imbalance that still exist for women trying to take their due from the industry. The show touched on multiple characteristics of hip hop from freestyles, battle raps, image, recording, and mostly the heart and courage that one must consider when pursuing a record deal. This was an honest attempt to display hip hop to a wider audience. Hip hop hasn’t been ignored for a long time, but with support like this from those who once upon a time just didn’t get it hip hop will never be silenced.

Written By Sha'Linda Jeanine

Sha’Linda holds a M.S. and B.S. in Mass Communications. In addition to The Koalition she is also a journalist/author for HipHopDX, AllHipHop, Yo Raps, HHW, etc. Her focal point is Hip-Hop the genre and lifestyle. This examination is her concern, responsibility, and cultural investigation.