Hip Hop Music

Hip hop music is one of the most, if the most, popular music genres that people listen to in the United States, perhaps even the world. At the same time, it has also become one of the most racially stereotyped industries in the world. It is incredibly common for people to assume that "black people" are directly associated with hip hop music/rap. Although it may be true that the majority of hip hop music artists are African American, that still does not merit or deserve a stereotype given to it. 

Although I enjoy listening to some hip hop music, I very rarely watch any music videos at all because I do not watch that much television at all. The following are five hip hop music videos that I have never seen before.

1)  Soulja Boy- "Kiss Me Thru the Phone":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhwQay4QiOw

- This is a video that upholds the stereotype of the "ghetto, decked out in bling" African American entertainer. In this video, Soulja Boy talks about how he wants "it" and needs "it" and whatnot throughout this entire video. Although it is clearly obvious that not all African Americans are like that, it is still something widely portrayed in media. 

2)  Run DMC- "It's Like That":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsBfPhtSWl8

- This video was very interesting to watch because, in my opinion, Run DMC really started the hip hop genre, and generation for that matter. However, this music video is quite stereotypical of black people. The video's focus is on the creation of breakdance, and a group of minority young people are "showing up" a group of white people. Something I have never quite understood is why we all think that these stereotypes given to various groups of people are wrong to associate, but a vast majority of minority groups somewhat advocate the thing it is that stereotypes them. 

3)  Eminem- "Sing for the Moment":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpsKma0fniI

- Eminem is one of the only white hip hop/rap artists that exists in today's society. Personally, I like a lot of his music because he sings stories throughout his songs about his life. He brings to the table some versatility in his lyrics.

4) The Game ft. Mary J. Blige- "Hate it or Love it":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGHRbY0YmFk

- This is quite stereotypical of the African American race; however, it is not necessarily stereotypical of the aggression aspect at all. More over, it displays the object of the female somewhat.

5) Rihanna-"Don't Stop the Music":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsRWpK4pf90

- The majority of female music artists are quite sexual. In this video Rihanna, although she has a great body, is very objectified. 

Doublemint gum commercials, the Fubu and Ecko clothing brands and some newer Old Navy commercials have successfully utilized hip hop to promote their product. Although hip hop is something that has been stereotyped, people clearly like it. Hip hop dance moves and phrases have become very commonplace, especially among the younger generation. My parents listened to the “oldies,” as we call them today, and classic rock. They still do. Personally, I like hip hop, but I do think that sometimes it promotes the wrong image of people and phrases. However, something about that is very appealing to the public, just like “sex sells.”