From the margins to mainstream: the political power of hip-hop

Journal/Book: Media Cult Soc. 1998; 20: 6 Bonhill Street, London, England EC2A 4PU. Sage Publications Ltd. 219.

Abstract: Uniquely situated at the heart of African-American youth culture, hip-hop is about music, style and voice. In many ways hip-hop is also about political action. Any discussion of hip-hop culture and rap music lends itself to examinations of rap as a means of protest among inner-city African-American youth. But the resistive benefits of rap music are not limited to its African-American listeners as can be seen by its widespread popularity among youth of all different races,classes and nationalities. As the cultural and political voice of an entire generation of youth, hip-hop has become a means of political action for its artists and fans, In addition to its prominent resistive role, political action in the hip-hop community includes political deliberation and direct uses of hip-hop to increase political awareness and to organize collaborative action.

Note: Article Stapleton KR, Duke Univ, Durham,NC 27706 USA

Keyword(s): RAP-MUSIC; BLACK

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