As many problems face our country today, MTV recently depicted another problem in the hip-hop industry: fashion-obsessed and materialistic artists. Videos and music channels portray different clothing lines, cars and jewelry. Images also are sold through the industry, which may include being “real,” “fake” or “wankstas” (as 50 Cent would call it). Critics take these concepts of rappers being materialistic and may think hip-hop today is being invaded by these trends. According to Jesse Atkinson, CEO of HipHopPalace.com, Spike Lee commented, “rappers have sacrificed their moral and artistic integrity in order to chase the illusion known as ‘The American Dream.'” The idea of having materials and fashion is not a disease, which has been killing the culture of hip-hop, but may be a way of expressing the American Dream. While some may agree with Lee, the American Dream is a concept not only artists are trying to accomplish, but also every other citizen in our country is after.
As the industry grows, more artists, such as P. Diddy, Ice-T, Eminem and Jay-Z, are creating their own clothing lines, which include Icewear, Shady, Vokal, Sean John, Rocawear, and Phat Farm. In addition to filling their closets with clothes, artists seem to have been taking even more of an interest in cars. As shown on MTV’s Cribs, rappers usually brag about what they possess. “Hip hop has stretched itself across racial, economic, cultural and global boundaries to become what it is today: a billion dollar industry, which can still be accessed by the little guy with big dreams,” wrote author and rap artist Ifè Oshun.
According to the history of hip hop, rap was taken from the streets where it was born from African-American cultures. Eventually, a mix of oversized clothes, big gold chains and emblems and stylish shoes led to the 90s hip-hop style. The father of rap according to its history is Clive Campbell, otherwise known as DJ Kool Herc. Campbell made beats and mixed his music with others while bringing MCs along also. He began experimenting, which led to creations such as Grandmaster Flash’s “backspinning.” By 1981, rap introduced the middle-class, suburban world to its culture. Hip hop’s origins are graffiti, rap, breakdancing and “DJing.” Clothing was expressive during performances but also had purposes as far as for creating breakdances. Some clothes that symbolize what is called “old school” are pumas, kangols, big jewelry and fly sweatsuits.
As time passed, more rappers, such as LL Cool J, Salt-n-Peppa, and Vanilla Ice, entered the industry. Today, MCs such as Eminem, 50 Cent, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Nas and Fabulous are admired as talented artists, who still bring with them the idea of style. Fashion not only has been a recent trend, but it also is evident in early rap as well. Clothes surely are not the only things, but the hip-hop culture definitely includes it.
The question people sometimes ask is whether these concepts of showing off fashion and style represent the true African-American life. According to author of the “Pro Side to Hip-Hop Debate” Zach Murray, the answer is no. Murray writes in his article that rap shows a very materialistic side of African-American societies. He also states “the materialistic nature misrepresents the true priorities of African Americans.” Murray believes rappers showing expensive cars, clothes and jewelry in videos shows all African Americans are materialistic.
So are all rap fans African American? Of course, this is false. If rap influences the idea of materials, then other ethnic backgrounds also are materialistic The idea of showing these different aspects of a “big” life is not just to brag, but rather it aims to show a feeling of success and power in this world. Everyone wants to be rich.