User:TomUSA/Race in hip hop
Although hip hop is a primarily music oriented culture, the political significance of race sometimes comes into play, with accusations of cultural appropriation against non-black-- typically white and Asian-- performers, and charges of racism and self-stereotyping against black performers.
Overview
By the United States 2000 Census, three-quarters of the United States' population is white, while one-eighth is black. However, almost all popular rappers in the United States are black.[1] Some believe this discrepancy is a good thing; popular rapper Kanye West has said: "I hate music where white people are trying to sound black. The white music I like [sounds] white".[2]
The most notable exception to the skin color trend in rappers is Eminem, who is of mainly Scottish descent, who grew up in the primarily black city of Detroit[3]. According to the Guinness World Records 2005, Eminem is the highest selling rapper of all time.[citation needed] In his song "White America", Eminem attributes his selling success to his being more easily digestible by a white audience, because he "looks like them."
Despite so many rappers being black, most hip hop record purchasers tend to be white, reflecting demographics and economics. According to musicologist Arthur Kempton, "Today 70 percent of hip-hop is bought by white kids".[4] Record sale statistics may be misleading, though, because they can't take into account the bootleging, burning, and downloading of hip-hop CDs.
Despite so many rappers being black, most hip hop record purchasers tend to be white, reflecting demographics and economics. According to musicologist Arthur Kempton, "Today 70 percent of hip-hop is bought by white kids".[5] Record sale statistics may be misleading, though, because they can't take into account the bootleging, burning, and downloading of hip-hop CDs.
Cultural appropriation?
 | The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. |
White performers have long been involved in the making and development of mainstream rap, although hip hop music and hip hop culture began with and have commonly been associated with African-Americans. The derogatory term wigger is often applied to white people involved in hip hop music.
This racial stereotyping is so long established that in 2006 the music broadcaster VH-1 in partnership with egotrip created a reality TV talent show called "The (White) Rapper Show".
Race in underground hip hop
According to political rapper Zion of Zion I, socially conscious hip hop has a mainly white audience: "...so many Black people don't want to hear it. They want that thug shit." In addition to Zion, several other underground rappers, such as Boots Riley of The Coup, report nearly all-white audiences.[6]
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External links
- ^ Best, Steven (1999). "Rap, Black Rage, and Racial Difference". Enculturation. 2 (2). Retrieved 2006-06-12.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "Kanye West: 'White People Should Make White Music'". Soundbuzz/Yahoo! Music. 27. Retrieved May 12.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=,|date=, and|year=/|date=mismatch (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ http://music.yahoo.com/ar-289114-bio--Eminem
- ^ Anderman, Joan (2003-10-04). "HIP-HOP SETTING THE BEAT IN FIRST, BLACK ARTISTS HOLD BILLBOARD'S TOP 10". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2006-06-12.
- ^ Anderman, Joan (2003-10-04). "HIP-HOP SETTING THE BEAT IN FIRST, BLACK ARTISTS HOLD BILLBOARD'S TOP 10". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2006-06-12.
- ^ Kitwana, Bakari (June 24, 2005). "The Cotton Club". The Village Voice. Retrieved February 2.
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