Hip hop was born from Bronx in the 70′s; Hip Hop Artist such as Grandmaster Flash, DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaata mixed funk, soul and Jamaican “toasting”  to generate the genre. Since its early development, hip-hop has become one of the world’s biggest-selling musical genres. Its impact on Western society is far achieving and hip-hop is normally referred to as a “culture”. It has had a notable influence on fashion, art, language and the national politics of mainstream Western society.

Style and fashion happens to be at the heart of hip-hop way of life. Break-dancers  inspired by hip-hop wore garments that were functional for dancing such as loose fitting denim jeans or tracksuits. Baggy jeans, tracksuits, large jewelry and sneakers are all renowned pieces of clothing that have been absorbed by mainstream fashion. Brands including Adidas, Nike and Tommy Hilfiger have already been instrumental in bringing hip-hop fashion to the public. Designers including Chanel, Gucci and Louis Vuitton have all introduced elements of hip-hop fashion on the catwalk.

Since its development in the early 1970s, hip-hop has become a vehicle for socially-aware messages. The Last Poets, Afrika Bambaata and DJ Kool Herc were outspoken black activists. Records such as Grandmaster Flash’s The Message and Keith LeBlanc’s No Sell Out are drenched in messages setting out the struggle of the poor black American. KRS One and A Tribe Called Quest have maintained the social message purveyed by earlier rap artists. Such performers have acted as positive role models endorsing the importance of education, social awareness and a peaceful philosophy.

Graffiti is firmly associated with rap culture. The practice of graffiti gathered momentum in the Bronx during the late 60′s and early 1970s. It was usually used by political activists to deliver messages or make statements or by gangs marking territory. Since the 1990s, graffiti has become extensively accepted as a recognized art form worldwide with the success of British-born artist Banksy and French duo 123Klan. Commercially, large corporations such as Sony used graffiti in marketing campaigns. Graffiti has also penetrated the gaming community with games like SEGA’s Jet Set Radio. The language of rap also has turned out to be controversial. In particular, the word “nigga” used frequently by rappers is widely regarded as an bad term but is often used in the rap genre. A sub-genre of hip-hop, gangsta rap, has often been criticized for its misogynous and homophobic lyrics and the glorification of violence and drug use. Sexual images of females, guns and a gang lifestyle have marred the genre.

Hip Hop Artist and performers such as Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Death Row Records originator Marion Suge Knight have all been criticized for marketing a culture of violence. Rivalry between West Coast and East Coast artists came to a head in 90′s with the death of Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur. Any New Hip Hop Artist is thought to be highly negative role models for young black males. Images and lyrics promoting violence and sexism are also acknowledged to have had a negative effect on the perception of the young black male by the white community.

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