Cultural production of Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop started off during the 1970s in the urban African American communities of New York City. It revolutionized the world with its uniqueness and authenticity. According to Michael Eric Dyson, hip-hop culture is the most explosive, engaging, and controversial form of American pop culture to find global circulation and acclaim in the last quarter century, and is worthy of serious critique and investigation (Dyson, 2004, p. 399).

The inner city of New York became the heart of Hip-Hop explosion and globalization. Rappers like Jay-Z made songs bout New-York depicted for their audience bout the city. In collaboration with Alicia Keys Jay –Z depicts the urban setting of New York city and lives of people living there in song, “Empire state of Mind”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjsXo9l6I8

In the song , Jay-Z says “welcome to the Melting pot, corners where we selling rock Africa Bambaataa shit, home of the hip-hop”. This shows the cultural production of Hip-Hop originating in New York, spreading the word bout its glamour. That if you come to New-York it will give you this sense that you can succeed and become the next big star . Cultural production of Hip-Hop through famous songs like “Empire State of Mind” aid to the globalization of Hip-Hop for a better understanding and coexistence in the region.

Question: Do you think Cultural production of Hip-Hop helps the community? Is the society getting any benefit from songs like that?

By Marta Kebede