Task 14: Sub-Genre Research (Hip Hop/Rap)

Hip Hop/Rap

     Hip Hop/Rap is a music genre that originated from African-American youth in the US during the 70's that is notably rhythmic and always accompanied by rapping, a form similar to singing but similarly rhythmic and in rhyme. Hip Hop contains many subcultures that developed throughout different areas of the US such as 'gangsta', West Coast, East Coast, 'crunk', and alternative hip hop. Some popular Hip Hop artists include 'Ice-T', 'Notorious B.I.G.', and 'Run-D.M.C.'. The primary audience for Hip Hop is youths between the age of 15 - 25. It is often classed as a platform for protest as it was widely used to allow people to question authority and is also used as a tool for cultural, political, and social empowerment especially among minorities.

     Production values of Hip Hop magazines vary greatly. Many artists of the Hip Hop genre believe that they should portray an image similar to that of what the creators of the genre had, that being one of relative poverty, and so dress accordingly in ragged, baggy clothing. Others, such as the example above believe they should flaunt their wealth in order to appear more powerful, similar to what the youth believe an authority figure to look like.

     The Hip Hop culture as a whole is somewhat aggressive and many glorify violence, this has a clear effect on the lyrics, attire, and representation of themselves. The colour red connotes exactly this, violence, power. Other colours such as black are also commonly used on Hip Hop magazines and generally within that culture as well as carrying connotations of power and authority.