Welcome to Hip-Hop’s Love Letter—a platform born out of passion, storytelling, and an unconditional love for hip-hop. My name is Sarah Irene Mendoza, and I created this webpage space in 2011 as a home for my radio show and podcast. Over the years, it has evolved into my creative archive hub for all things hip-hop, hosted audiovisual projects like music videos, concert vlogs, artist interviews, and more.

Hip-hop isn’t just music—it’s a movement, a time capsule, and a mirror reflecting the stories of our communities. HipHop’s Love Letter is my tribute to this art form that shaped me, from my earliest days as a broadcaster at KSFS to my journey through the intersections of media, culture, and identity. Hip-hop taught me how to listen, how to tell stories, and how to love the process of creating something meaningful.

My journey began at KSFS, San Francisco State University’s student-run radio station, where I discovered the magic of connecting people through sound. Late nights spent curating playlists and exploring the depths of hip-hop’s history gave me a profound appreciation for the culture—not just as entertainment but as a form of storytelling, resistance, and celebration. I carried that passion into my career, where I’ve been fortunate to work in music curation, artist programming, and live broadcasting. Through it all, hip-hop has remained my compass, grounding me in the power of authenticity and creativity.

Inspiration Behind The Name:

The inspiration for the name Hip-Hop’s Love Letter came from a moment in the movie Brown Sugar—a film that feels like a love story to hip-hop in its own right.

Directed by Rick Famuyiwa and featuring a stellar cast including Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan, Mos Def, and Queen Latifah, Brown Sugar explores the lives of two best friends, Sidney (played by Sanaa Lathan) and Dre (played by Taye Diggs), who have risen to prominence in the hip-hop industry. Their professional success is accompanied by a deep personal bond, but it takes years for them to realize they are truly in love with each other. The character Sidney, inspired by real-life hip-hop icon Angie Martinez, is a music journalist whose passion for the culture drives her career and her relationships. Angie Martinez, often referred to as “The Voice of New York,” is a trailblazer in the hip-hop industry. Her influence as a radio host, journalist, and artist helped shape hip-hop’s narrative and brought authenticity to Brown Sugar.

In the movie, Sidney asks a poignant question: “When did you fall in love with hip-hop?” This line resonates deeply with me and continues to define my work. Like Sidney, my love for hip-hop became the foundation for everything I’ve created. Hip-Hop’s Love Letter is my tribute to the culture’s rhythm, revolution, and legacy—a lifelong project that amplifies its stories and celebrates its impact.

Fast forward to 2025, and Hip-Hop’s Love Letter is now 16 years old. What began as a college radio show has grown into an expansive platform, preserving the essence of hip-hop while embracing its evolution. Through radio broadcasts, podcasts, concert vlogs, artist live streams, and marketing campaigns, I’ve dedicated my career to honoring hip-hop’s past while amplifying its present and future.

My mission has always been to create a space where emerging voices—DJs, MCs, poets, activists, and R&B artists—can share their stories and connect with an audience that loves and respects the culture as much as I do. Hip-Hop’s Love Letter continues to be a time capsule for the music, art, and narratives that make hip-hop so transformative.

This platform is more than a website—it’s my love letter to hip-hop’s past, present, and future. It’s a celebration of the beats that move us, the stories that connect us, and the culture that shapes us.

The origins of hip-hop are deeply intertwined

The origins of hip-hop are deeply intertwined with the history of marginalized communities finding their voice. It started on August 11, 1973, when Cindy Campbell threw a back-to-school party in the Bronx and enlisted her brother, DJ Kool Herc, to spin records in the rec room of their building. That night, the four elements of hip-hop—MCing, DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti art—came together to form the foundation of a cultural revolution. From those Bronx basements, hip-hop grew into a global movement, carrying with it the stories, struggles, and dreams of the people who created it.

2025 TODAY

HipHop’s Love Letter is dedicated to preserving and celebrating. It’s a space where we honor the pioneers who paved the way, like Cindy Campbell, Angie Martinez, and countless others.

Through storytelling, curated events, podcasts, and more, HipHop’s Love Letter amplifies the voices that make hip-hop the cultural force it is today. From its early days in the South Bronx to its global influence, we reflect on its past, celebrate its present, and imagine its future. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering hip-hop for the first time, this is a space for you.Join us as we stay true to the elements, the rhythm, and the rhymes.

TILL INFINITY – Sarah Irene Mendoza AKA La Madrina