The Relationship Between Hip Hop and Black Culture

By: Courtney Connley

LaToshia Butler

Jannora Cooper

Antonia Blair

Imani Edwards

What Is Hip Hop?

Hip Hop is a cultural art form composed of four elements:

Graffiti

Break-dancing

DJ-ing

Rapping

What Is Hip Hop?At the core of Hip Hop, artists explore thoughts about:

FamilyRelationshipsChild rearingCareersRacial IdentityRace RelationsPolitics

DISCUSSION QUESTION 1: Can you name a song that incorporates the ideas listed above?

“Nobody even talked about sexism in hip-hop

back in the day. All an M.C. wanted then was

to be the baddest in the battle, have a fly-

girl, and take rides in his fresh O.J.”

Joan Morgan

Old School Hip Hop

Influence Artists Message

•Afro-centric Movement

•Black Pride Movement

•Black Nationalism

•War on drugs

•Grand Master Flash

•Public Enemy

•Run DMC

•Queen Latifah

•Kool Moe Dee

•Kurtis Blow

•LL Cool J

The plight of the black community

The Hip Hop Transition Influence Artists Message

•Gang Violence

•Police Riots

•Gang Profiling

•Anti-Drug Act

•Snoop

•Dr. Dre

•NWA

•Ice T

•Lil Kim

•Biggie

•Tupac

•Salt and Pepper

•Gang violence

•Objectification of women

New School Hip Hop

Artist50 Cent

Lil Wayne

Nicki Minaj

Trina

Nelly

Eminem

Influence Artists Message

•Globalization

•Commercialization

•Sexualization

•Corporatization

•Lil Wayne

•50 Cent

•Nicki Minaj

•Nelly

•Trina

•Eminem

•Glorification of Drugs

•Individual and materialistic gain

•Sex

Reclaimers of Hip Hop

These are artist who are trying to bring back the original elements of Hip Hop.

Erykah Badu

Common

Lauryn Hill

Black Youth Culture

The dialogue between hip hop’s message, current social politics, and media

representations have changed the Black youth culture of today.

Source of Black Values and Identity

Our Parent’s Generation Today’s Black Youth Culture

Media Representation

Film, Rap music, Videos, fashion

Public Black Figures professional athletes

Entertainers

Traditional ValuesRooted in the Black church, family, and community

Discussion Question 2: What does “coming of age” in the black community mean to our generation compared to our parent’s generation?

Black Youth Culture and Hip Hop:

A Closer Look

•Men used to talk about their love for women and now they talk more about what they like doing to them.

•The blame shouldn’t be fully put on the disrespect shown by men, but the low self-esteem of women who make it okay for these artists to represent them in these ways.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjxjZe3RhIo

Images of Women in Hip Hop

Queen Latifah

“Every time I hear a brother call a girl a bitch or a ho

Trying to make a sister feel lowYou know all of that gots to goNow everybody knows there's

exceptions to this ruleNow don't be getting mad, when we

playing, it's coolBut don't you be calling out my

nameI bring wrath to those who disrespect me like a dame

“You got to let him know . . You ain’t a bitch or a ho.”

“Sex has long been the bartering chip that women use to gain protection, material wealth, and the vicarious

benefits of power.”

-Joan Morgan

Salt & Pepa -- Lil’ Kim

“I am a diamond cluster hustler

Queen bitch, supreme bitchKill a nigga for my nigga by

any means bitchMurder scene bitch.”

“Secure in his manhood cause he's a

real manA lover and a fighter

and he'll knock another out

Don't take him for a sucker cause that's not

what he's aboutEvery time I need him, he always got my back

Never disrespectful cause his mama taught

him that”-- “What a Man”

“Yea, you come here, give me a kiss.Better make it fast or

else I’m gonna get pissed.

Can’t you hear the music pumping hard

like I wish you would?

Now push it.”-- “Push It”

Trina & Nicki Minaj“See it pays to be the

boss hoShit that's how you

floss hosX-rated elevated, buck

nakedAnd I'd probably fuck

your daddy if your mammy wasn't

player hatin'Cause I'm the baddest

bitchI'm the baddest bitch

what”-- “The Baddest Bitch”

“Skirts with the ruffle, Louis on the duffle. I’m a bad

bitch, no muzzle.”-- “Go Hard”

As a cultural movement, hip-hop manages to get billed as both a positive and negative

influence on young people, especially Black youth. However, there’s no shortage of

critics who denounce the negative portrayals of Black people, especially women, in hip

hop.

Taking into consideration our discussion of hip hop and its impact on black youth

culture, and black women, can you think of any creative lyrics that will be appealing to

our generation?