The focal concept of this essay is authenticity as it is given meaning in the hip-hop sub-culture. To analyse this genre of culture it seems best to consider how it has been represented and how it represents itself in society. A sub-culture can be thought of as a cultural group or class within a large culture, one having beliefs, interests and customs that are different to those of the greater population.

Hip hop music (rap) can be viewed as just one aspect of the subcultural movement of hip hop which also includes, graffiti, breakdancing, distinctive clothes and slang. When determing which people participate in hip hop subculture we look for signifiers that represent or are attached to members of the subculture. " We should not underestimate the signifying power of the spectacular subculture not only as a metaphor for potential anarchy 'out there' but as a actual mechanism for semantic disorder" (Hebdige, 1979:90 cited in Cultural Studies Theory and Practice, Barker,2000, pg 327,). Structural and semiotic theorist Hebdige analysed 'Punk' culture and concen

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Ice Cube, Modernism Postmodernism2003, Focus Taylor, Theory Practice, Modernism Postmodernism, Nelson George1998, Sociology Perspective1997, Bronx Compton, Practice Barker2000, Nelson George, hip hop, hip-hop culture, believed separation subject, subject society society, culture period, studies theory, theory practice, hip hop's, cited sociology, culture language, cultural studies theory, studies theory practice, rap artists, 'style' elements, separation subject society,