![]() ![]() Consequently, street education both colors the thematic elements of hip-hop and is structured in turn by that what those themes generally promote. “Media and popular culture play important roles in young people’s lives and must be explored as a kind of alternative ‘lived’ curriculum… young people today are using these texts to construct locally validated selves and senses of community, linked to shared notions of what it means to be black and marginalized in the United States.” (Dimitriadis, 2-8) Street education and “street smarts” are directly related to the culture surrounding hip-hop music. The emphasis of the street in the upbringing of communities of lower socioeconomic standing augments the power of street education. The nineties saw a marked increase in the establishment of street gangs as a direct response for coveted social reform. To this end, hip-hop culture redefined cultural norms and practices nationwide by establishing new modes of learning, conduct, and social interaction. In short, nineties rap can be seen as the result of a generation of Black youth who grew up in the shadow of those who fought for their rights but did not delineate a clear line of action for the youth to follow in their footsteps. Racial solidarity came to a head in the fifties and sixties in the form of the African American Civil Rights Movement, in which Blacks throughout the United States performed acts of civil resistance in an attempt to incite political and social change. “Historically, African Americans have shown a strong degree of racial solidarity, largely because they had common problems and saw their fate as intricately linked.” (Collins, 14) The harsh discrimination that Black people faced in America throughout the nation’s history logically fostered intense sentiments of solidarity among the Black community. The need for strong Black national icons in the pop culture scene stands as a testament to the confusion and lack of prescribed purpose that plagued the nineties’ generation of Black youth. Dre, Tupac to Snoop Dogg (and other G Funk artists) acted as the mouthpieces of a generation in need of guidance and direction in terms of identity and voice. ![]() In the process, rap artists became the dominant public voice of this generation.” (Kitwana, 10) In this way, artists ranging from MC Hammer to Dr. “Blacks across the country who identified with were informed by it a medium through which to share national culture. Hip-hop Nation transforms from being a mere method of advertisement and awareness promotion into a formidable cultural force within itself that has a heavy hand in the construction of both individual and community identities. Hip-hop is arguably the voice of an entire generation. “Now media and entertainment such as pop music, film, and fashion are among the major forces transmitting culture to this generation of Black Americans.” (Kitwana, 7) The power of media, music, and pop culture has never been so powerful, and its reach continues to inflate through market expansion and an ever-increasing consumer base. Since its inception, hip-hop has progressed to the point where, to a certain extent, it governs culture. experienced the establishment of a veritable "Hip-Hop Nation." And, despite controversy over the legitimacy of the music (in terms of its occasionally vulgar lyrics), hip-hop marks a national movement with the power to uplift an entire sector of the national community.įamous Hip-Hop MCs The Evolution of Hip-Hop's MCs Following this line of thought, the nineties saw large changes in music and culture. The late eighties saw the inception of this musical movement, but the force and substantiation associated with hip-hop music largely developed throughout the span of the nineties. Through musical expression, the Black community, as well as other traditionally marginalized groups, turned their discontent from the injustices they faced into productive protest, helping to restructure social attitudes and opportunities. ![]() Additionally, hip-hop culture can be viewed as a direct response to the socio-economic issues that spawned from that history. The history of hip-hop stems from Black community consciousness within the United States. One example of influential new trends that took place in the nineties centers on the evolution of hip-hop culture. ![]() The final decade of the twentieth century, often simply referred to as "the nineties," marked extensive social changes in American history and social culture. ![]()
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