Genre analysis: Hip Hop/Rap

What are the first impressions imposed by Hip Hop?

Well first of the artists' dominance over the audience. This is demonstraighted by the many low-angled close up shots in Hip Hop. The reason behind this is that low angles give the artists' the power and authority they want, they are looking down on the audience and the close up gives the status that they are important enough to have the frame to themselves. 

As we can see from the screenshot taken from "In Da Club" by 50 cent there are countless shot of women standing next to him without any relevance which could be a hidden message about status and be gender. At one point there are four of these shouts within the space of a minute. This could be an indication that this is adhering to stereotypes that media present that women are objectified or could it be that they are there toto serve an irrelevant part, implying men have a higher status in comparison to women.  You don’t have to look far to find examples of stars singing suggestive lyrics, wearing very few clothes and lots of make-up. Close-up shots of perfectly-pouting lips, wiggling bottoms, shimmying cleavages and bare, chiselled stomachs all feature heavily too, reinforcing the idea that women have to look – and behave – a certain way to be attractive. 

The sexualization of women in the media has become an intricate part of our society--whether it is in advertisements, magazines, commercials... or even music videos. After making their debut on MTV in the early 1980s, the popularity of music videos has dramatically increased. As this new medium became a more integral part of the music industry, the roles that women played have changed over time. Whether they are the lead singers or back-up dancers, women are sexualized now more than ever. While sex appeal was once considered a bonus for a woman, it is now practically a requirement.


Most neighborhoods in which many hip-hop artists grow up are dangerous to say the least. Thus, it is logical to arrive at the conclusion that from an early age they developed the skills necessary to fend for themselves, with little to no regard for the wellbeing of others outside of their direct circle of friends and family. This (I'm gonna get mine) mentality acquired as a youth attempting to survive in the inner city stays with these artists later in life, and becomes evident once they enter the public sphere. Stereotypes also serve to further the fame and notoriety of many hip-hop artists. 

Audience members tend to buy in to the stereotypes traditionally associated with rappers, regardless of whether or not their mannerisms, lifestyle, and appearance are truly authentic. 

According to Robert Price, "the 'thug life' is about hard knocks because formal education is not viewed as the solution to the real-life problems of violence in the 'hood, crack cocaine, no father's name on the birth certificate, being a baby mama, jobless, and so on'" (Price 59).The artists usually have big jewellery for example custom made rap pendants also referred to as dog tags incorporate various symbols of masculinity and accomplishment. For example if we look at the image to the right popular artist YG and his pendant has his name "YG" spelled out in diamond and gemstone studded letters.