Code Switch
How Hip-Hop Fights The Power — And Also Serves It
Aug 9, 2023
Exploring the origin story of hip-hop and its impact on culture, the podcast delves into its diverse sub-genres, influence on language and fashion, and its contradictions as a tool for both resistance and capitalism. It also highlights the global impact of hip-hop, its use by powerful institutions such as the US State Department for diplomacy, and the complex relationship between hip-hop and American institutions.
34:23
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Quick takeaways
- Hip-hop has served as a powerful tool for cultural exchange beyond American borders, allowing individuals to explore different narratives and reshape their worldview.
- The United States government has utilized hip-hop as a form of cultural diplomacy, but critics argue that these efforts can be seen as the US deploying black culture and artists to promote its own interests and project a positive image.
Deep dives
Hip-hop's Evolution and Contradictions
Hip-hop has evolved and expanded over the past five decades, giving birth to various sub-genres and regional variants. It has had a significant impact on language, fashion, and politics. Hip-hop embodies contradictions, being critical of injustice while also being used to promote capitalism. Despite turning 50, hip-hop remains popular among young people. It has transcended borders and influenced artists in other countries, such as Pakistani immigrants making hip-hop in Urdu peppered with African-American vernacular English.
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