The Effect Of The Hip-Hop Subculture

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A subculture is as an ethnic, regional, economic, or social group exhibiting characteristic patterns of behaviour sufficient to distinguish it from others within an embracing culture or society (Merriam Webster dictionary). Hip - hop started out as a youth subculture many years ago, because it reflected the social, economic, political and cultural realities and conditions of many African – American youths lives and speaks to them in a language that they understand. Although hip hop started out with music, over the years it has grown to not only be evident in music, but in art and can now be considered a way of life for many. The progression of hip hop has created its own working class for the black community as well as provided a parallel between …show more content…

Furthermore, I will be examining the shift that rap has made from being a subculture to mainstream, the effect of hip hop business on the ‘Hip- hop Nation’, as well as a popular hip - hop artist Jay - Z and how he has been able to create an identity for black male youth and if this identity fits with the intended purposes of the hip-hop subculture. Hip - hop is a melange of lyrical stimulation filled with the meticulous metaphors, tales from the ‘hood, and the ruthless truth sayings about the social and economic injustices in the “land of the free”. ( Belle, 2014). This movement which started out as a subculture in the South Bronx has now developed to become an international phenomenon, i.e. it has been taken over by mainstream media and can no longer be deemed a subculture. Over the years, since this movement started, many developments have occured for hip - hop to to attain the international recognition it now …show more content…

This includes the fact that ‘commercial rappers since the mid-1990s have typically affirmed their own credibility with sexist tropes, while many underground artists like Jurassic 5 or Dilated Peoples affirm their credibility with broader discourses and styles that are not dependent on misogyny' (Ogbar, 2007 p. 101); however Pro headz aim to create a safe space for black women who are seeking such, in a society where they are treated with increasing levels of hostility. (Muhammad,

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