Today's Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop has been around for more than 30 years. Many stereotypes have been put on it such as; drug stereotypes, money stereotypes, and violence stereotypes. Misogyny also plays a huge part in Hip-Hop.

Many hip hop artists reference violence in their songs, which leads to violence being a stereotype commonly associated with this genre of music. Over time, hip hop artists have come under fire from community groups and government agencies for the use of violence lyrics in their music.

Hip hop artists are not the only artist that uses drugs, but drugs are likely mentioned more in hip hop music. Many lyrics in this style of music refer to selling drugs as a way to make a living and using drugs such as marijuana. Dr. Dre's notable hip hop album "The Chronic" referenced marijuana in its title, and 50 Cent's semi-autobiographical movie "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" talked about his rise from a drug dealer to a rapper.

Women's groups have often criticized hip hop music for the use of misogynistic lyrics and images. Women are commonly referred to in derogatory terms in some rap music, while scantily clad women are also common fixtures in hip hop videos.

While musicians in virtually every genre can achieve enormous commercial success and enjoy the wealth that comes with it, hip hop performers are known for vigorously celebrating their money and even exaggerating how much they have. Rap videos frequently show rappers holding stacks of money, wearing expensive jewelry and driving fancy cars. Additionally, many hip hop lyrics reference being rich and spending large quantities of money.

In contemplating this phenomenon and making an effort to understand not only its foundation but the premise that comprises the root of Hip-Hop ideology, it is important to remember that this emerging culture has similarities to other cultures that have emerged throughout history. Hip-Hop was initially born of the ability of those early practitioners of rap music, DJ wizardry and street-corner fashion creation to overcome their inability to gain acceptance and recognition by the established music, fashion and entertainment industries.

            Further galvanizing the fledgling culture was the lack of acceptance by adult culture, who refused to recognize these newly emerging forms of expression as legitimate. This was particularly true where many parents were concerned. Needless to say, if parents and other authority figures didn't understand Hip-Hop, didn't like it and, in many instances, admonished young people for embracing it, young people were even more compelled to further immerse themselves in this newly developing culture.

 As I stated in my previous blog Hip-Hop, like Rock 'n' Roll before it, is not only a genre of music, but also a complex system of ideas, values and concepts that reflect newly emerging and ever-changing creative correlative expressive mechanisms including but not limited to song, poetry, film and fashion. In the early days, Hip-Hop was primarily related to the rhyming, rhythmic spoken word art-form known as rapping. Rapping is, in fact, not a new method of creative expression. The ease with which young people can participate in this form of creativity seems to have helped the phenomenal growth of this genre of music and expression.

            I interviewed a local veteran DJ, DJ B-Hop, when asked what his take on today’s Hip-Hop was. He replied, “Today’s Hip-Hop is nothing like the Hip-Hop he grew up loving. The Hip-Hop he loved was all about everyday life and the problems that the average African America family was dealing with.   Today’s Hip-Hop focuses more on how much money they have. How many women they have and how big their house and cars are no real love for the roots and foundation of Hip-Hop.”

I myself don’t agree with all of the lyrics in today’s hip-hop. I feel like artist can express themselves without all of the negativity. Like it or not the future of America is watching and listening. Children as young as two years old look up to Hip Hop artist.

           

Work Cited

McCoy, William. What Stereotypes Are Associated With Hip Hop? | eHow.com. 22 March 2013.
Hopper, Barry. Personal Interview. 22 March 2013