As the DJ for Run-DMC, one of the first bands to help create hip-hop culture around the world, Jam Master Jay was a well-known figure in the hip-hop and rap music industries. He was instrumental in establishing the sound and aesthetic of this genre. He was born Jason Mizell.

Jam Master Jay's quote alludes to a period of time when a lot of people wrote off hip hop and rap music as a fleeting fad or trend. He disregarded such viewpoints since he was aware that they were founded on a lack of knowledge regarding the complexity and significance of the genre. Saying that hip-hop was just a fad, in his opinion, was akin to saying that a tree is only a tiny sprout, ignoring its potential for development and impact.

By the late 1980s, hip hop had already emerged as a major cultural force, with key musicians helping to usher in a new era of expression and music. However, a lot of outsiders were still reluctant or flatly denied its significance. Jam Master Jay, who was well-established in the hip-hop scene, recognized that these critics frequently lacked firsthand knowledge of the rich cultural significance and history of the genre.

Dismissing rap and hip hop, in his opinion, would be equivalent to rejecting a whole generation of musicians, listeners, and cultural bearers who saw this music as a reflection of their own experiences. It was a potent storytelling technique that spoke to millions of people worldwide and was much more than just rhyme and rhythm.

Jam Master Jay emphasized the value of identifying cultural movements before they are broadly embraced by society at large by stating his conviction that hip-hop is timeless and relevant. His remarks are a helpful reminder to value and recognize the richness and genuineness of new cultural forms, even when they defy accepted conventions or are met with suspicion from those who do not fully comprehend them.

His quote basically sums up the idea that sometimes it's simpler for people to dismiss something novel and unfamiliar than to see its potential benefits. It challenges us to see past our first impressions and recognize the true worth of cultural innovations that not everyone has yet fully grasped or valued.