MAIN Society Subcultures Hip Hop

What began as a cool 70s underground movement in African American and Latino neighborhoods in The Bronx has since become a global phenomenon with hip hop fans found in poor urban as well as affluent white suburban neighborhoods around the world.

One of the most identifiable elements of hip hop, rap music originated with talented emcees at house parties who entertained guests by exhibiting their quick wit and rhyming skills.

Meanwhile, out in the streets, physical prowess was exhibited by teens attempting to outdo each other in gravity-defying moves at fiercely competitive breakdancing or b-boy competitions.

Hip hop also encompassed another expression of youthful creativity in colorful grafitti "tags" scrawled across ghetto walls and subway trains. Along with these basic elements encompassing music, art and dance, the movement eventually grew to influence movies, television and fashion as the culture went mainstream first in the U.S. and then globally.

Elements of hip hop eventually would be seen on city streets throughout Europe, Russia, and the Middle East when teens on an international scale embraced hip hop as an easily accessible mode of self expression.

Although critics charge that rap and hip hop have been diluted by mainstream acceptance (resulting in rappers' fashion lines, multi-platinum CD's and million-dollar record deals), hip hop continues to evolve and cross boundaries as the world's most popular youth culture.

More about Hip Hop culture around the Web:

Davey D's History of Hip Hop 101 Directory - A great source for information on the origins of hip hop and and the world of rap, dj's, emcees, break dancing and graffiti artists, with related interviews.

Examining Hip Hop - PBS archived feature with a discussion on hip hop history & controversies, socially conscience rap and representation of women, video interviews with Common, Nelly, LL Cool J and others.

Hip Hop - Wikipedia - Extensive examination of hip hop culture and its history, with a discussion of its music, djing, the evolution of the MC, hip hop's eventual popularity worldwide, along with references & related resources, and hyperlinks to more information on hip hop culture, fashion and dance.

AllHipHop.com - The latest news & rumors, album releases & reviews, feature stories, star interviews, photos, video, and a very busy forum, including discussions on music, fashion, movie reviews, visitor submitted photos.

MTV | Hip Hop Music - All hip hop all the time, featuring new video releases, hip hop lyrics, celebrity interviews, photos, streaming radio, blog, free newsletter.

SOHH.com - Daily hip hop news, headlines & music charts, regular feature columns & blogs, community forums, music videos & celebrity interviews.

Hip Hop Dance - Your Online Guide - Step-by-step lessons & how to's with video clips to follow along.

Billboard.com - Hot R&B / Hip Hop Songs - What's No. 1 this week, along with the latest Top 50 list of hip hop hits, sample audio clips.

also see in Pop Culture -> 50 Cent | BET Hip Hop Awards

Eminem | Jay-Z | Snoop Dogg