What is Hip Hop?

1048 Words3 Pages

Despite the controversy regarding the derogative nature of Hip-hop, One cannot downplay the cultural influences that hip-hop has impressed on the world. Merriam-Webster defines hip-hop as the stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rap (citation). Although the conventional definition of hip-hop is generally correct, it does not adequately portray the gravity of the movement. Coined by the urban youth, Hip-hop has forced its way to the pinnacle of mainstream America. Hip-hop’s massive influence on the English language, the fashion industry, and world peace warrants its cultural superiority. Hip-hop is a revolution; a rebellion in a sense. Hip-hop is a way for us African-Americans as well as other ethnic groups, to accept the misfortunes that we have inherited and convert these adversities into blessings. The birth of hip-hop dates back to the mid 1960’s. As the streets of New York City erupted in violence, social decay, and economic demise — young, multiethnic, inner-city kids devised their own solution to the traumatic challenges that they continually faced (Price III). Three New York Artists, Busy Bee Starski, DJ Hollywood, and DJ Afika Bambaataa, have been credited for coining the term “hip-hop” (Reese). Rapidly gaining the attention of the urban youth, the musical genre of hip-hop began its movement in the 1970s; with funky beats resonating at house parties, family gatherings, basement parties, and throughout the streets of New York. One of the most noticeable events that marked the beginning of the hip-hop/rap era on a world stage was in 1979, when the Sugar Hill Gang produced the enormously successful song entitled, “Rapper's Delight” (Reese). Rap music continued to blossom after the release of Rapper's Delight. I... ... middle of paper ... ...derived from the hip-hop culture and emulated by others. The hip-hop nation has also incorporated the attire of upper-class Caucasian society as a manifestation of their lack of power in American society. Urban hip-hop artist have been pushing bourgeois brands such as Nautica, Ralph Lauren, and Levi Strauss & Company. As these brands contradict the image of an “urban street king”, the wearing of the brands has been used by the hip-hop generation in order to establish commonalities among various ethnicities and socioeconomic statuses. It goes without say that a significant number of African American, Whites, Latinos, and Asian youth between the ages of 12 and 22 dress the same irrespective of their ethnicity (Reese). Hip-hop’s impact on the fashion industry has undoubtedly been a unifier of various cultures and can be seen as a notion to stimulate worldwide harmony.

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