Hip Hop Culture Analysis

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Hip-Hop is a vast and popular culture, one part of Hip-Hop culture is the popular genre of music with lyrics spoken by old school artists such as Tupac, Notorious B.I.G, N.W.A, Grandmaster Flash and modern artists including Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Logic and more. Lyrics written and produced depict the hardships and reality for the artists. Contrary, lyrics also showed violence and stereotypes, and portrayed a certain image for listeners. Looking deeper into the genre, evidence shows that hypermasculinity is embedded into lyrics, videos and icons of Hip-Hop. The image of Money, Masculine Fragility and Appearance are prime examples that support the connection to hip-hop and the negative male image it imposes. Money in hip-hop songs, and culture …show more content…

Many hip-hop artists in their work write and boast about large phallic size. Old school artist Notorious B.I.G. stating that he’s wears “thirteens” refers to shoes versus phallic size in his hit “Old Thing Back”, and modern rapper A$AP Rocky’s song “F**kin Problems” lyrics state “But this long-d**k n**ga ain't for the long talkin” (Garett et al., 2012.) perpetuate the idea that black men are supposed to have a large penis. This idea may cause males growing up to have the idea that genital size is linked to attractiveness and status. By growing up with this idea and image, damage to masculinity occurs because males may end up believing they are in fact superior to others, or below others simply due to physical characteristics. Presentation, in a non-physical aspect is also a large force in the hip-hop community. Having flashy jewelry and name brand clothing is a huge importance to many in the hip-hop community. In both old school and modern hip-hop, images of socially stylish men are broadcasted to the public. Having the latest, and most stylish outfits and accessories was, and still is a way to show status and dominance. Old-school rapper Jermaine Dupri wrote about a diamond bracelet which he paid $100,000 for “Trying to stay alive, hundred thou' for the bracelet” (Parker et al., 1998) in his song titled “Money Ain’t a Thang.” Modern day Rapper Fetty Wap is not shy about how much money he has, and how he can buy lavish things. Fetty Wap writes “We be countin' up, watch how far them bands go, We just set a goal, talkin' matchin' Lambos” (Maxwell, 2014.) These lyrics explain that he has extra money even after buying a car only the elite would have the means to buy. To conclude, for males, this notion is engrained into their brains, and is transferred into social life which then leads to how they will be ranked in the social hierarchy. This image of material status will

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