Klisanin_HipHop.docx - Klisanin Ross 1 TigerLily Klisanin...

Klisanin Ross 1
TigerLily Klisanin Ross
Professor Buenaflor
English 101, section 1L
September 23, 2017
Hip Hop’s Impact in Society
When Hip Hop first came out was seen as a negative influence on society but when it
globally grew that changed. People have now embraced it as a positive impact in society. Hip
Hop music’s positive effect can be seen through fashion innovation, powerful women, and
inspired educational strategies.
Fashion innovation from Hip Hop has had a positive effect on society. Rappers have a
powerful impact on fashion, especially in the recent decade. In the early days “sportswear brands
such as FILA, PUMA, Reebok, Nike, Avia and Adidas” (Smith-Strickland) gained popularity
because of rappers wearing them. Hip Hop is able to merge the normal day person and being a
star. This is seen when Reebok made “$35 million campaign shows 20-, 30-, and 40-year-old
whites dancing on a graffiti-bedaubed, hip-hoppy city street” (Smith-Strickland). This shows that
you can be who you are and have what you want. This genre of music was able to create a
mutual connection with the rappers and the fan. On the other hand, it was able to give rappers a
preppy aesthetic when luxury brands started working with them. Hip Hop became the balm of
harsh realities on life, it was able to give people hope especially the ones that were living in
inhumane conditions. Rappers knew how to mix luxury labels with affordable brands creating

Klisanin Ross 2
style that luxury brands wanted to work with. High-fashion (Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, and Ralph
Lauren) gave people luxury though they could not afford a mansion.
Hip Hop and Luxury have an interesting relationship. In the 1980’s high-fashion labels
(Louis Vuitton and Gucci) weren’t interested in working with rappers because they were not
global. They thought that Hip Hop culture was negative for their brands. But that changes when
rappers became more popular and increase the popularity of there clothing. This is seen when