The first type of hip-hop I analyze was mainstream hip-hop, which means it is out there for everyone to access. Examples of this form can be seen on MTV, BET, etc as well as rap concerts and events. Signs of this form can be marked by extremely baggy clothing, for example sagging of the pants so that the underwear is showing. Sideways baseball caps, tattoos, and bling-bling jewelry are other signs in appearance that mark mainstream hip-hop. All of these styles are marked as cool among the youth in our society. Being cool is a way to get accepted by peers and rebel against adult culture because most of us would not consider our parents to be cool which to me is what youth feel being cool is all about. I noticed that being cool was much more a male thing than a fema

Underground hip-hop is the other form of hip-hop youth most identify with. I have not had too much participation in this form but I have noticed similarities and differences. Fewer youth identify with this form because it is not easily accessible and that is why it is called underground. There is not an emphasis on capitol and profit in this form of hip-hop as well. This form is rarely seen on television and events are rarely located at large venues. What I have noticed also is that youth don’t really understand the amount of social change potential this form can offer. However, as a counter-culture, this form does have different ideas than do the hegemonic culture of mainstream hip-hop. Within this form, new hegemonic ideas are formed but they are of a different nature. Discourses in this form promote equality for all races and sexes. It does not support the corrupt politics of our country and it influences youth to think on their own outside of the “norm.” There are not really any particular signs that identify this culture. The idea of being “cool” is not emphasized in this form so males don’t sport the bling-bling jewelry and females don’t have to dress to impress. It is not about race with this form either but it is interesting that the race most represented in this form is white. I think society e

Some topics in this essay:
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