In turn, rap music has become a constitutive part of black popular culture as well as American popular culture more generally. by Alexandra Rosales

Throughout this course I have noticed how important hip hop culture is to popular culture. I was unaware of the amount of influence hip hop had on my everyday life. I’m now constantly listening to hip hop/ R&B music but I never understand the space it created for minorities. I chose the following ten quotes because they all relate to the significance of hip hop. Hip hop also allowed space for individuals in urban cities to have a voice. I think its important that minorities made a culture where they can express themselves and shed light on the tensions in society. Although through these spaces there is sexism, women have made a space for themselves in hip hop as well. For example, in the first couple of classes we focused on women in hip hop like Missy Elliot who changed the game for women. Each quote is connected because they all reflect the importance of hip hop in a social structure. “In/describing rap music as “and expression of the complexity of post- modern African American life”, this quote by Rose made me aware of the African American life and the influence of popular culture. The Forman reading also made the structure of hip hop make sense for me. Space and place are produced according to patterns of use which makes it an important factor in contemporary culture. Both readings, reflect hip hop’s importance in culture. Throughout the quotations the main theme is how hip hop can affects American pop culture. Hip hop is not only is a space for minorities but also for artists to show their talents like graffiti, MC’s, and rappers. Through there talents society can understand through empathy the struggles of living in poverty . “It’s about shock value, always shock value, but keeping it flavor and stylized and making it yours”, this quote from Jeff Chang stuck out to me because the hip hop culture has allowed for individuals to express themselves in their own way. Individuals in poverty have trouble getting their voice heard, through graffiti and rap the public can hear the struggles of poverty. Social media has evolved Hip-Hop in a positive way and push for social justice against minorities. For example, on instagram there is account called ‘The ShadeRoom’ and they post about frequent news topics that relate to minorities. This account is viewed as a drama account but, they bring up relevant topics that society should be engaged in. Within the hip hop culture many artists have made use of their platform to evolve society. For example, Lizzo has changed the game for women across the world in being herself and showing women empowerment. Her music is uplifting and encouraging to people who feel they have to fit into society. Other artists like Young Thug revolt against gender binaries and dress how he wants too. Hip hop is more than just music, it brings a community together. Without hip hop in society I can’t imagine how society would evolve to where it is now.