... multi-billion dollar cultural phenomenon that has not only influenced the music industry, but the industries of Hollywood, fashion, literature, and magazines. Those involved in the hip-hop loop have long since witnessed the hip-hop culture transcend all expectations since its humble beginnings in the late 70s and early 80s. With notable pioneers such as Russell Simmons, Run DMC, and the Sugar ... it speaks to a lifestyle, and offers an exceptional environment for product branding. There is hardly a major consumer company around that isn't trying to cash in on hip-hop's popularity, if not ...

• Word Count: 2027
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

... however; that this article comes at the very contradictory time following the event that Jam Master Jay of Run DMC, a group notorious for bringing Hip Hop out of the shiny jumpsuit look and into a casual, streetwise one was shot dead in a New York recording studio. Yes the business will ... rap isn't violent anymore, what is it? It's important to understand the general lyrical diversity of the music being created and mass exported through the hip hop industry today. I include a small sample of a song from an album that I reviewed for a website recently, which briefly touches on the subjec...

• Word Count: 1591
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... Too Seriously There are many people that believe that hip-hop music can influence one's behavior. Rap music has had a bad reputation over the last decade from the gangsta era of N.W.A to a more present-tense ... censorship against him. Lyrics such as, "You don't wanna f*** with Shady (his nickname), cause Shady, will f***** kill you,"" anger the average person that knows nothing about hip-hop culture, but to the regular rap listener, those words are nothing but another set of lyrics being heard over a track of music. "When Eartha Kitt salaciously sings "Santa Baby ... should inspire p...

• Word Count: 1369
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School