Influence of Hip-hop and Rap

Over the past 30 years, rap and hip-hop has evolved and its influence on society has increased. Music is a big part of people’s lives and is heard everywhere from elevators to stores to and in movies. When music is heard so often, it can have a powerful effect on its listeners, and hip-hop and rap is a musical genre that is now popular worldwide. Hip-hop originated long ago in many different parts of North America but its real birthplace is the South Bronx.

When it was introduced years ago, it has been liked by and moved younger audiences ever since. Hip-hop wasn’t always as popular as it is today.

When it started out, it got a lot of backlash from other people due to its differences from the mainstream music. For a while, this type of music has been controversial and deemed bad due to the amount of profanities and mentions of drugs and alcohol mentioned in the lyrics however, not all rap music is like that.

Hip-hop has been consistent across the regions and culture A lot of the songs are used to make its audience more aware of society. Rap and hip-hop is influential and give’s people a voice and chance to speak their minds.

Rap first started on the streets then grew into what it is today, a phenomenon. From a rapper’s personality to the meaning of the lyrics, rap has changed a great deal. In the early days of rap in the 90s with Tupac, Notorious B.

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I.G., and more, a lot of the songs were different than what they are today. Most of the songs were based on or about the hood and gangs. Other topics included, poverty, violence, drug use, and crime. “Hood politics” was a consistent theme for these rappers as well as keeping a gangster persona. Many bigger, or more popular, hip-hop/rap artists were convicted criminals.

In the 90s, the songs were more about the journey of the artists rather than his or her success. This is much different than the modern-day rappers and songs. Being a thug was no longer mandatory to be a successful rapper. The songs no longer had to be about hood and expanded to different topics like love, religion, and fame. Today, rap has broadened to many different themes whereas 90s hip-hop was the story of ghetto life and the gangster anthem, preventing it from becoming big along with pop music. Not to shed a negative light on early rap, the lyrics did spread truth, it’s the people who did not understand the meaning and intention of rap.

Before hip-hop and rap were popular, they were limited only to the Black communities of America and even then, the “Black radio” was hesitant about playing the songs in the radio station. Before, the R&B songs produced two versions: one with a rap and one without. When the songs would play on the radio, they would choose to play the version without the rap in fear of advertisers not enjoying it. It all changed when the first rap song made it on the Top 40 on Billboard Hot 100. Then more rap songs started to make their way into the Billboard charts and soon enough, Rap/Hip-hop had its own chart. After that, rap grew as well as its fans and has now become a preferred genre by many globally. Hip-hop then gained a multicultural appeal. In fact, in the early 90s, “there were reports that maybe 70 percent of the audience buying hip-hop was white” (Peterson). It has evolved from street music to songs people would hear on the radio. Although rap is a popular genre, it is not just about the music.

Hip-hop has grown and it’s more than just music, it’s a lifestyle. It is more than just a music platform now, it’s the world’s favorite youth culture. DJing, rapping, and breakdancing are creative outlets that make up hip hop culture. These were developed by African American communities to allow people to make a political or personal statement and to participate in community activities. Hip-hop is only music, it is a fashion, a dance, a language, and an attitude “Hip Hop has progressed to the point where, to a certain extent, it governs culture” (Odenthal).

Hip-hop culture is constantly changing generation after generation. With a new generation, comes a new style so the culture has to change with it. Originally, hip-hop culture included rapping, dancing, graffiti, and beatboxing. Now it has expanded to street wear, jewelry, cars, slang, and mindsets. Hip-hop has its own purpose and language. Hip-hop is an advertised lifestyle that is far from humble beginnings. Most hip-hop artist/rappers are seen with tracksuits and gold chains. They usually own a big house with many cars and wear jewelry with lots of diamonds. Hip-hop culture and music are global and are the center of music and fashion industry around the world.

Street wear is a type of fashion that many rappers wear and others have taken on this style. A lot of high-end brands have taken this to account and started creating their own renditions of street fashion. Gucci is a brand that many rappers wear and has become very trendy amongst younger people. Artists are seen wearing the infamous Gucci tracksuit and Gucci shoes. Hip-hop culture today focuses more on partying and swag, which is different from the earlier culture of graffiti and break dancing. Although they are still involved in today’s hip-hop, they have a new style. From music to fashion and jewelry, rappers have become a role model to many.

Hip-hop has a big influence on society. As rap and hip-hop have grown in society, it’s influence on others has also grown. Hip-hop has an impact on our society both locally and globally. For a long time, rap has had a bad reputation, representing drugs, violence, and gangs. The lyrics also contain strong use of profanities to coincide with its reputation. Regardless of the negative views on rap, it has gained a lot of followers and fans and is often misunderstood.

Many people associate rap with crimes and drugs but it’s more than just partying and drinking. Rap is a way for people to express themselves on social issues as well as political. Hip-hop comes from the black community that is consciousness in the United States and in a way is a response to the socio-economic issues of the 20th century. Although there is controversy of rap music and its use of profanities and the message it is trying to convey, it regardless marks a movement of social and cultural significance.

Rap songs and artists promote social awareness when a rapper shares his or her opinion on a social issue. Many artists like to express their thoughts on various controversial issues, poverty, injustice, and politics, which helps the listener become more conscious about what is happening in the world. The reason why it’s easy to get the audience to listen is because this type of music conveys its message in style. Since rap is more popular amongst younger individuals, it is largely publicized. Rappers influence people in the way they dress, talk, and act. More of the younger generations are seen wearing streetwear and using slang when they speak.

Hip-hop has advertised itself into a music industry but also to a fashion industry as well as movies and gaining more. A lot of younger people strive to be like their idols. Rappers are entrepreneurial role models and idols for youths as they capitalize on international marketing of clothing and shoes as well as other goods. Rap and hip-hop have been used as a “unifier of diverse populations around the world” (Positive Impacts). It is also a great tool to teach Black history and is “the thing that made young White people comfortable with Black people in the early 1990s” (Peterson). It has conveyed messages of hope, by rapping about rising above from poverty to fame as well as the struggles of living in poor communities. Hip-hop culture is prevalent in society and that will not change for a while.

Rap has changed a great deal. From the streets to a big stage, rap has become a big social influence on society. Over time, hip-hop and rap has done well from itself. Coming from poor communities, rap has developed nicely. It has evolved itself into a not just a music industry but a fashion and entertainment industry. It has opened doors for rappers to become entrepreneurs and actors not just an artist. Rap has allowed for people to become more than what they hoped to be. Hip-hop truly is more than just music. Everybody has their own opinion on rap either good or bad. But just like any other type of music, rap is a safe place for others. Rap is a source of for people to speak their minds. Despite what people think, they cannot deny that rap is prominent in people’s lives.