Allow me to introduce myself, My name is Greg "Olskool Ice-Gre" Lewis (@Olskool_IceGre), the male half of the veteran Chicago Hip Hop duo Abstract Mindstate. I branded my groups music Adult Contemporary Hip Hop (ACH) over twenty years ago, but it wasn't until 2021 when a globally known, multi-platinum, multi-Grammy Award winning Rapper/Producer and Designer had an epiphany that the world needed to hear my group again (after a 16 year hiatus), that I began laying the foundation. He stated that our music is going to heal people and save lives. As we began recording, I deemed it necessary to do the work that would solidify this idea of an expanded genre called Adult Contemporary Hip Hop (ACH). Abstract Mindstate received a significant amount of press for an album titled Dreams Still Inspire that year, and I discussed ACH in every interview.

ACH Defined: Adult contemporary Hip Hop (ACH) correlates with the sound of a recording. It embraces the traditional aesthetics of rap music. Although “adult” delineates the acronym, it has little to do with “age” as it relates to the creator. Musically, ACH leans heavily on the boom bap and hardcore sound of raps golden era. Although favored by an experienced audience, the number of young artists influenced by a more traditional rap sound continuously grows. In terms of lyricism, ACH likens itself to a high degree of originality, style and cadence which are at the forefront of the storytelling whether non-fiction or a fictional point of view. Hip Hop has dominated music culture and rap is one of its revered five elements or pillars along with graffiti art, breakdancing, DJing and Knowledge. In this regard, ACH emphasizes as well as upholds the aesthetics of rap culture and tradition by celebrating the presence of lyrical skill and technique.

The Reason: As a lifelong creative and self-proclaimed Hip Hop historian, my passion, like many others, lies in the creation and appreciation of Rap and Hip Hop music. However, for too long, the categories in music award shows have failed to embrace the diversity within this genre. In the sea of trends and social media driven music, those artists who stand true to the traditional roots of Hip Hop are often overlooked. It's time we rectify this imbalance. 

The Reality: Rap and Hip Hop music has a rich and varied landscape. Artists of all ages exist who continue to create music deeply grounded in the traditional sounds of this genre. This subgenre of Hip Hop, dubbed as Adult Contemporary Hip Hop (ACH), will create diversity and inclusion in a space that has so far been regulated to a more mainstream, trend-led style of Rap Music. The talent and dedication of ACH artists has become lost in the current state of the Rap/HipHop category, inadvertently undervaluing the contributions of artists who favor a more traditional Hip Hop sound.

Considering this, we demand that a new category be introduced at award shows: Adult Contemporary Hip Hop. This will not only acknowledge the richness and diversity of Rap/Hip Hop music, but also give these artists the recognition they truly deserve.

In a society that increasingly values diversity and fair representation, it is a disservice to the artistic community to overlook such a vibrant subgenre of music. Expanding the Rap/Hip Hop category will directly benefit these artists and ensure that their talent is duly acknowledged.

Those responsible for organizing these award shows, we call on you to make this change. Let us diversify the categories in our Music award shows and celebrate the full spectrum of Hip Hop.

Please, sign this petition and support the introduction of 'Adult Contemporary Hip Hop' as an expanded category at award shows.