Journal 7: Hip-Hop in anthropology

The documentary Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes tackles several issues regarding

masculinity, violence, sexism, and homophobia in the present culture of hip hop. Some element

of thoughtfulness becomes evident in the documentary from the perspectives of intelligence, the

divergence of voices, and so forth. The issue of gender is so conspicuous as the main subject

matter. Hip-hop in the old times used to embrace four elements of Djing, rapping, b-boying and

graffiti writing. Nevertheless, it has evolved in the current time only to have a single element

which is rapping. In fact, people use the term rap and hip-hop interchangeably (Westhoff, 2011).

The changing of elements has led to a little reflection of the culture in hip-hop although

there have been other elements used besides rapping such as grills, rubber bands, and lap dances

(Westhoff, 2011). Hip hop has been used over the years to reflect the American culture where it

originated. Nevertheless, it has evolved gradually through socio-cultural, political, and historical

factors. All in all, it is important to note that hip-hop embraces a form of street art and all arts

have one crucial characteristic known as an expression. The artistic expression could be

universal, but creativity in the expression of the various cultures is detached to varied aspects of

culture with varied meanings. Hip-hop can be highly politicized, subversive and even be used for

resistance through creative expression. Anthropologists, therefore, analyze hip-hop from the

various perspectives making up its art and expression using the following; first, they look at the

theories of culture, resistance, and power. Second, they become acquainted with social and

political factors that historically shape hip-hop such as race, class, and gender. Third, they tend

to look at how culture, economy, and politics have transformed hip hop to global phenomenon.

Fourth, they tend to become acquainted with the origins of hip hop and its value to the
participants. And fifth, they review critically the awareness of the consumption they have as far

as hip hop is concerned (Learning Materials, n.d).

Anthropology that studies art and expressions has some influence in one way or the other

on the behavior of humans. Researchers have used the term Hermeneutics to apply to the critical

interpretation involved in social, economic, and religious contexts. Cockfighting, for instance,

provides an interesting way of learning about arts. Expression-wise, it is used to represent status

arrangements in a community and gaining identity in a community. So, a cultural performance, it

can be used to understand more about culture using hermeneutics (The University of Alabama,

n.d.).

Hip-hop has a long history as far as the incorporation of four elements is concerned

particularly in the 21st century. Its research has captured the contemporary world and the old-

school where it originated. Despite all this progress across the history, it is important to

understand the role of hip-hop in race, gender, and class as a tool for social change.
 References

Learning Materials. ANTH 393-THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF HIP HOP: CULTURE, POWER,

AND RESISTANCE (1st ed.). Retrieved from

https://www.uvic.ca/socialsciences/anthropology/assets/docs/short-course-

descriptions/300_short_course_descriptions/ANTH_393_A02_Perry_.pdf

The University of Alabama. Symbolic and Interpretive Anthropologies - Anthropological

Theories - Department of Anthropology - The University of Alabama.

Anthropology.ua.edu. Retrieved 28 April 2017, from

http://anthropology.ua.edu/cultures/cultures.php?culture=Symbolic%20and%20Interpreti

ve%20Anthropologies

Westhoff, B. (2011). Hip-Hop's Four Elements: The Old Ones Suck. Here's Our Suggestions for

New Ones. L.A. Weekly. Retrieved 28 April 2017, from

http://www.laweekly.com/music/hip-hops-four-elements-the-old-ones-suck-heres-our-

suggestions-for-new-ones-2411228