Twelve Core Themes of Hip-Hop Music

(1) Economic Survival/Entrepreneurial Endeavors: This theme represents how lyrics and
songs underscore the need for artist personally or members of their communities to hit the streets
to survive economically. Moreover, these lyrics speak to how extreme economic poverty leads
many to the streets and/or criminal justice system (e.g., Tupac, Meek Mills, Omelly, Kur, etc.).

(2) Marketing Affect/Commercial Audience: This theme represents how lyrics and entire
songs are marketed for mainstream or commercial audiences (e.g., Drake, Nikki Minaj, Beyonce
or JZ, etc.). Also, these songs are intentionally designed for day-time radio and often are
celebratory tunes that focus on partying, sex, alcohol and drug use. Moreover, there is generally
an emphasis by artists and executives to make money with these songs by selling to the broadest
and most lucrative audience possible.

(3) The Audience: This theme represents how lyrics and entire songs target particular audiences
(e.g., men, women, Black or Latino community, other gangster rappers, commercial or
mainstream markets, etc.).

(4) Geographical Location/Community: This theme represents how lyrics and songs
underscore how communities possess unique Hip-Hop sounds and styles. These songs also speak
to a particular loyalty the artist has with their neighborhood or community (e.g. Queens Bridge,
Zone 6 in Atlanta, Drill music from O Block in Chicago, etc.). Oftentimes, Hip-Hop artists use
their music as a way to communicate to other ‘hoods or inner-city communities, just as the
enslaved did through their musical and spiritual ceremonies, to connect with and provide hope to
other members of the streets. This theme also speaks often to the racial-ethnic and culture values
of the artist’s community.

(5) Race-Ethnicity & Culture: This theme represents how lyrics and songs underscore the
racial-ethnic and cultural distinctions of their individual social identities and neighborhoods,
overall.

(6) The Story: A successful rapper generally has a compelling life story as well as magnificent
ability to engage the artform. The Story as a theme represents how lyrics and songs focus on the
biography of the artist. A riveting on-going story or tales of poverty and the streets often greatly
informs and brings alive the lyrics; and raises the profile of the artist. (i.e., Tupac, 50 cent, Meek
Mill, etc.).

(7) Identity Development: Identity development is foundational to the success of all Hip-Hop
artists. As a result, all artists work really hard to develop a unique and charismatic Hip-Hop
persona. Moreover, this theme represents how lyrics and entire songs underscore the artist’s
blend of personal tastes and characteristics including fashion, style, local community and
especially Hip-Hop flow. Examples of identity markers can also include Biggie’s or JZ’s “Uh
huh”; Julez Santana’s “Ah!”; or Jadakiss’s “ehewhh”. DJ signatures: “We got London on the
track!”
(8) Catharsis/Emotional Expression: This theme represents how lyrics and songs underscore
an intense emotional release or coping with great pain. Given, these lyrics reflect great tragedy in
the life of the artist, artist can sometimes be found in immerse in sadness, depression, anger and
rage (e.g., Tupac, Derez Shon, etc.).

(9) Artistic Integrity: This theme represents how lyrics and songs are measured for a high
threshold for linguistic skill level. In general, these artists possess an established or recognized
word play, delivery, inflection or tone (e.g., Nas, Dave East, Un Kasa, Cam’ron, Meek Mills,
Pusha T., JZ, Rick Ross, Jadakiss, Styles, etc.)

(10) The Battle: The Battle, confrontation or fierce competition within the Hip-Hop community
is fundamental to the vitality Hip-Hop. Through the battle (or death) comes life. More
specifically, this theme represents how lyrics and songs speak to a challenge or beef with another
artist (e.g., Tupac’s Hit Em Up; or Nas’ Ether” etc.).

(11) Revolutionary: This theme represents how lyrics and songs are grounded in a socio-
political message. However, although revolutionary in orientation, these artists are still very
much grounded in a street identity (e.g., Vince Staples, Kendrick Lamar Rakim & Eric B.,
Immortal Technique, Genius or Pa Pa Wu from Wu Tang Clan, Public Enemy, Brand Nubian,
Tupac, etc.)

(12) History: This theme represents how lyrics and songs focus on the historical dimensions of
Hip-Hop usually by rapping about older artists, styles and earlier periods of Hip-Hops; as well as
rapping over classic Hip-Hop production (e.g., Redman’s tribute to the Sugar Hill Gang;
Numerous P. Diddy songs, etc.).