Many thought hip-hop, like so many other genres of music, would eventually phase out and become obsolete. However, it continues to thrive in the hearts of our young people today. So, what is the appeal of hip-hop, and why is it able to deeply permeate the minds of our nation’s youth and even adults?
Hip-hop’s appeal lies in the fact that it plays an integral role in defining popular culture today, particularly in the areas of fashion and personal style. Not only that, it combines various forms of diverse and rich musical trends to create unique sounds that are extremely catchy. Hip-hop is storytelling at its finest, with talented lyricists weaving descriptive tales about their life experiences over infectious beats that are guaranteed to get their listeners moving.
The pull of hip-hop is undeniable, also, because it utilizes other types of music, which often makes it difficult to distinguish it from R&B and rap. It is a flexible genre that enables artists to incorporate everything from classical to jazz in their songs. In doing so, it is constantly renewed, refreshed, and enriched, thus allowing it to retain its flavor and relevance in today’s world.
Although it is rare to hear a rock artist singing on the same track as a country artist, this is not the case with hip-hop. As a type of “melting pot” for all forms of music, many hip-hop songs today cross over into other genres, enabling a music connoisseur to enjoy variety in what they are listening to. For example, a few years ago, a hip-hop artist named Nelly and country singer Tim McGraw composed a hit song together. This song is not only found in the hip-hop category on Nelly’s CD, but is also located in the country section on Tim McGraw’s project as well.
Hip-hop defines and is defined by popular culture, which is constantly shifting and changing. Whether understood or not, there is no denying the power of influence hip-hop music has on today’s youth when it comes to setting trends in fashion and style. And this influence transcends racial and cultural barriers.
Within the genre, there are many different subcategories, even regional styles that are predominant in different parts of the country. Some hip-hop music is more positive than others. There is no doubt that much of the hip-hop music that is being produced today is negative, violent, and full of blatant sexual messages our young people do not need to be exposed to. However, the original intent of hip-hop music was never to promote violence and sexual exploitation. Instead, urban youth created hip-hop music to provide an outlet of personal expression for themselves—a form of music that moved them and inspired them to change and was rooted in the rich cultural traditions of their communities. It is a genre that has always been focused on the hope of overcoming obstacles and reaching higher heights in life.
The influence of hip-hop on Gospel music has also created a buzz, giving birth to another subcategory called Holy Hip-Hop, which is Christian-based. As a means to reach youth and young adults who are immersed in the hip-hop culture, many Gospel artists have incorporated elements and styles of hip-hop into their music, videos, and live performances. Artists such as Mary Mary, John P. Kee, Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin, and Tye Tribbett have infused their songs and style with hip-hop sounds in order to appeal to a larger (and younger) audience. In addition, there are many other holy hip-hop artists who specifically tailor their music style and lyrics to provide an alternative for those who love the music but want to hear positive, Christ-centered messages.
From fashion to dialect and vocabulary, the far-reaching influences of hip-hop are truly seen and heard in society today. While there are many opinions about it, both positive and negative, it is clear hip-hop is here to stay—at least for now.
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