Before we dive headfirst into hip-hop culture’s rise in East Asia and what attracted youth to the cultural phenomenon it is imperative that I first explain the history of hip-hop so that we understand the origins of the hip-hop narrative. Once we understand the original context, we can begin to understand fully how East Asian youth culture adopts the original narrative within its own context. 

Hip-hop began as a cultural movement in the streets of New York during the 1970’s (Rose, 1994). Much more diverse than what the media today perceives it to be, hip-hop is expressed through a variety of artistic and cultural mediums, including, but not limited to, music, dance, graffiti, and fashion (Marriot, 1990). Of the various art forms expressed through hip-hop culture, hip-hop music began to develop as a local underground art form, with lyrics that spoke out on urban poverty, racism, and a growing sense of economic abandonment in African-American inner city neighborhoods (Rose, 1994; George, 1998). Thus, hip-hop became a voice for African-American youth, who saw it as a way to express the social, economic and political realities of their lives (Alridge & Steward, 2005).

Out of this expression came various songs to reflect those realities. For example, one well-known song that came to be synonymous with the rebellion often associated with hip-hop is “Fuck Tha Police” by N.W.A. (Niggaz With Attitudes), a gangsta rap group. The lyrics essentially mock and criticize the police force, using harsh and inflammatory language directed towards police members. However, while “Fuck Tha Police” is a prime example of an expression of anger from the marginalized African-American community, hip-hop music also reflected realities that were not as critical. One example is “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugar Hill Gang, a song that came to heavily influence mainstream hip-hop today.  The lyrics and feel of this song, as opposed to “Fuck Tha Police”, are much more lighthearted and groove-y, as the lyrics talk about partying and everyday life. With two very opposing songs in terms of feels, it’s hard to tell which one is exactly hip-hop music.  However, because of this, it shows that hip-hop music is not just rap music characterized by inflammatory language, material worship, and misogyny (as is often stereotyped these days), but rather a form of self-expression. 

Essentially, rather than a simple hobby or a pastime, hip-hop is a lifestyle. Through this lifestyle, specifically rap in the beginning, African-American youth were able to express themselves by voicing their experiences as an oppressed minority in the urban ghettos of America.  Because of this, hip-hop became a vehicle of expression that represented self-expression, individuality, and defiance. Although this representation largely applied to the African-American experience at first, hip-hop’s influence would soon extend globally, playing a crucial role in establishing youth identity.