Jeff Tow Arnett
In Foucaults Turntble Hip-Hop Scholars Bumrush the Academy Hua Hsu brings up a very good question concerning hip-hop culture in today’s society. For this weeks hip-hop discussion panel the question I was most eager to have answered was “How has hip-hop's political culture been influenced by its ever-present performances of materialism or violence? (Hsu, 2003)�. In today’s society the views of hip-hop by mainstream culture is that hip-hop focuses on materialism and gang violence. However after listen to the panel experts my perceptions changed about hip-hop in today’s society.
Professor Pate’s explanation between "bad" rap becoming popular in today’s society along with introducing students to black traditions and the historical successes of hip-hop culture was very intriguing and informative. It gave me a whole new perspective of hip-hop culture that there are African Americans out there who do not like T.I and Nelly but do believe that the hip-hop culture is important.
Secondly Riviere’s explanation about way bad hip-hop music gets played on the radio was very informative. Someone asked if the popular hip-hop music of today’s era was an example of artists just "giving the people what they want" or if the artist creates it and pushes it upon the people. Riviere’s explanation of how big record companies have departments and people specifically positioned to "jam the stations" was intriguing because most people will have no idea that’s what really happens. She went on talking about how really hip-hop outside of the United States is very influential tool for challenging mainstream cultures where as the United States is controlled by big corporate companies.