Pop Culture and the Arts

¶ … Pop Culture and the Arts

There is a great difference in what constitutes 'trends' and 'fads' in that trends are more and run deeper into the society than do fads which are much akin to whims and are passing in nature. However, the trend is something that becomes more deeply rooted into a culture or society because the trends exists because of and for that collective society or for what it provides to that cultural grouping of human beings. The same is true with the hip-hop culture, not only in Philadelphia but throughout the United States and the world.

HIP-HOP CULTURE

The hip-hop culture in the United States cannot be labeled as a 'fad' but instead is a trend because hip-hop extends from within the culture in the United States and as written in the work of Reese (1998) entitled: "From the Fringe: The Hip Hop Culture and Ethnic Relations" the hip-hop culture "has permeated popular culture in an unprecedented fashion." (Reese, 1998) Reese attributes this correctly to "its enormous cross-over appeal" stating that the hip-hop culture "is a potentially great unifier of diverse populations." (Reese, 1998) the hip-hop culture has its own message which it carries into politics, business and other areas of culture and that message is that everyone has something to contribute and that what comprises hip-hop is that the unique contribution of all the individuals comprising this culture that makes hip-hop culture what it is. Reese relates that hip-hop culture has "transcended ethnic boundaries" (1998) and has furthermore carries a message of 'no color lines' and messages of healing. Controversy in gansta rap is used in addressing inequalities in today's society. Reese holds that if "messages of love, peace, anti-racism and human uplift" are those resonating among the hip hop population this population has the opportunity to enormously impact in a positive nature the ethnic relations in today's society.

II. HIP-HOP and Business

Hip-hop culture's influence runs as deeps as its young roots into the American society and that includes in the world of business. The hip-hop culture has brought about many changes in the business world and specifically in terms of companies who employ ethnic minorities. Reese (1998) states: "One of the many positive side effects of the hip hop culture is that it encourages corporations to recruit a diverse cadre of individuals. Hence, recruiting minorities who have the pulse of this culture becomes an imperative. The African-American market alone has $325 billion in buying power. A myriad of organizations that appeal to the hip hop culture have diversified for competitive advantage. It makes good business sense. For example, half of Universal Music Group's employees are minority. This organization is number one in market share in the U.S., Europe, Latin American and Australia. The record label's overall market share is 23% globally and 25% in the U.S." Therefore, it is easy to understand how powerful an impact hip-hop culture may potentially have on an issue.