Pop, not hip-hop.

This week in class we talked about the how hip-hop has disseminated around the world to create a diaspora of sound. I most certainly agree with this as everyday I see how the influence of hip-hop has more than disseminated around the world; it has proliferated mainstream society. Huge hip-hop artist such as 50 cent, Jay-Z, and Lil’ Wayne have become endorsers of some of the most “un hip-hop” products. 50 Cent is the spokesperson of Vitamin Water, mostly drank by a non hip-hop audience and it is simply astounding to witness how the hip-hop culture has even penetrated the most unlikely of places.


However, I feel that although people are quick to label hip-hop as infiltrating our worlds, endorsing every product, featured on every commercial, I really feel that it is POP CULTURE that is achieving these goals. I think whenever a counter hegemonic idea or person for that matter is suddenly thrust into the media spotlight we have the tendency to call out only that specific part of the movement. Hip-hop in the media is only a part of the pop culture bonanza we are currently experiencing. It just so happens that part of the movement contains a figure that we are not used to seeing. In a world of Justin Timberlakes, Britney Spears, and Miley Cyrus’, figures like 50 Cent and Jay-Z and even people like Lady Gaga immediately stand out. I’m not saying that hip-hop has not become a diaspora of sound, i’m just simply saying that hip-hop’s ability to be far reaching is also part of pop cultures ability to be far reaching.