| Hip hop as defined by The American Heritage College | | | | love, racism, sexism, broken families, hard times, and |
| Dictionary is "The popular culture of big city and | | | | overcoming adversity. It's about trying to live out the |
| especially inner city youth, characterized by graffiti art, | | | | American dream from the bottom up. It's about trying |
| break dancing, and rap music-of or relating to this | | | | to make something out of nothing; about the youth |
| culture." | | | | culture of New York City and other urban cities taking |
| Today, most people characterize hip hop as simply rap | | | | over the world. |
| music. They do not truly understand the history and the | | | | With this culture comes hip hop clothing, jewelry and |
| current influence hip-hop has on the whole youth | | | | music. Also terminologies such as: Breakin' (dance), |
| culture. You see rap music is just one element of hip | | | | Emceein' (rap), Graffiti (aerosol art), Deejayin, |
| hop. | | | | Beatboxin, Street Fashion, Street Knowledge, Street |
| True hip hop isn't just about music; it's a culture, a way | | | | Entrepreneurialism came into being. |
| of life, a language, a fashion, a set of values, and a | | | | Most youngsters everywhere opts for hip hop clothing |
| unique perspective. Hip hop is an economy; it's the | | | | and jewelry. Jewelry is a matter of prestige and sign |
| ability to take the inner-city negative cash flow system | | | | of wealth for most individuals. The hottest stars and |
| of hustling, pushing, pimping, and banging, and turn it into | | | | athletes find it interesting to wear such jewelry. The |
| a multi-million, or possibly even billion dollar business. | | | | jewelry is worn even by men who do not give any |
| So hip hop then is about dance, art, expression, pain, | | | | importance to jewelry and other fashion accessories. |