Rap music is the foundation of Hip Hop culture. Born in the Bronx NY in the 1970s it quickly grew from an underground art form to a worldwide phenomenon whose impact was largely ignored by mainstream outlets like commercial radio. Many programmers were afraid of it, considering it to be vulgar and full of violence. It was the music of the streets and it was the kids who lived in these urban areas who first picked up on it. For many it described the life they led and broached topics such as poverty, drug abuse, crime and violence. Many who opposed rap music cited these same subjects as reasons why rap was detrimental. Youth bought these records in droves. Rap music is based on street poetry and slang and these influences could be seen in daily life through the everyday conversations and speech patterns of the kids who listened to it.
Hip Hop emerged as a fashion icon with many of its listeners copying the same styles as the rappers they emulated. With the rise of MTV, Hip Hop fans could see what their favorite artists were wearing and often styled themselves in the same way. In the 1990s there was a rise of fashion lines designed by rappers themselves. Icons such as Russel Simmons, Sean "P-Diddy" Combs, Jay-Z and others manufactured fashion labels that sold millions. Other clothing brands favored by rappers were often mentioned in songs.
Rap music has always prided itself on being founded in realism. Much of this realism involves descriptions of violent acts, misogyny and the drug trade. Indeed, many rappers boasted about their criminal activities. It is not easy to tell if the music and lyrics directly inspired listeners to commit crimes or if the music was inspired by those who broke the law. It is a social debate that is still hotly contested. Some say the gritty depictions of criminal life that rap music often brings is like a news report objectively displaying facts. Others see it as a bad influence; one that inspires and glorifies crime rather than decries it. There is no scientific way to tell which is correct. But for many, hip hop culture is a way out of poverty and violence and a way to express anger, frustration and a myriad of other problems that had never been given a public voice.
Hip Hop culture was once an underground movement that spread through word-of-mouth outlets like block parties and mixtapes. Through the 1980s and '90s it gained worldwide acceptance as a legitimate art form. While public graffiti was criminalized, there were many established galleries that opened doors for graffiti artists and frequently show their work. Commercial radio latched on to hip hop when it realized that young adults demanded to hear rap music and there was money to be made. Corporations used hip hop to sell their products through jingles, fashion and attitude. Today hip hop is one of the biggest selling genres.