Those who choose to pursue rap as a hobby will find a number of avenues to develop skills and attitudes which may benefit them elsewhere in their lives. A degree of discipline is required to perform any art. Creating something representative of yourself, honing it to perfection and performing it to others is a detailed process involving introspection and hard work. Perfecting such skills as rapping, production or DJing also provides a degree of pride in the finished product. Establishing a link between hard work and reward is an important lesson for anyone, which provides further incentive to strive toward achieving the things desired.
Money is an important part of hip hop culture. Though many rappers flaunt their extreme wealth, the strength of the industry as a whole is more significant. The popularity of hip hop as a genre sustains thousands of night clubs, clothing stores and independent record outlets all over the world. Many of these businesses are "grassroots" organizations, established in communities where hip hop music has a strong following. As a result, they create careers and opportunities for those passionate about the genre.
As a genre, many of the media reports about rap artists focus on the negative topics they discuss. While it's true that many rap songs concern drugs, violence, crime and misogyny, a number of artists focus on enlightening and educating their listeners. One of the earliest hip hop crews, The Universal Zulu Nation, was founded by DJ Afrika Bambaataa in an attempt to unify violent street gangs in the Bronx River Projects, fostering a sense of community and pride that he felt was lacking in his area. Other artists, such as KRS-One, Arrested Development and Jurassic 5 continue to promote attitudes of peace, unity and tolerance.
The more "hardcore" end of the rap spectrum contains lyrics that are understandably disagreeable to many: tales of violence and crime that depict a harsh, unforgiving environment. However, within these tales, there are usually a number of lyrics that portray many positive traits of the people who live in such circumstances. There is a marked aversion to racism, dishonesty and pretending to be someone you are not. Cautionary tales that act as recommendations against the criminal lifestyle are as common as glamorous accounts of cars and champagne. In Jay-Z's song, "H.O.V.A," he ends a verse detailing his past as a crack cocaine dealer with the line, "Like I told you sell drugs...no... Hov' did that so hopefully you won't have to go through that." Many of the most successful rappers recognize their social responsibility and attempt to convey the grim reality of the lifestyle that their peers try to champion.