The Mafia

Perhaps it is the camaraderie or the gangster posturing that keeps Hip-Hop so fascinated with the idea of a mafia lifestyle. With Hip-Hop artists embracing the mafia moniker in group titles (Junior M.A.F.I.A), album titles (Lil’ Kim’s La Bella Mafia) and song titles (“Wu Gambinos” off Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx), the mafia has evolved into its own monster beyond cement shoes and re-runs of The Sopranos. And while there are some factual elements of La Cosa Nostra in all mainstream coverage of it, the real mafia doesn’t walk around wearing fedoras and double tailed coats with bowties and machine guns in briefcases. Hip-Hop is learning that slowly.

Off-Broadway Plays

Hip-Hop’s history has been vividly expressed through clever rap songs and Hype Williams videos. When an expression of self through song is not enough, an Off-Broadway play or musical will do just the trick. While some Hip-Hop inspired shows circle around a particular neighborhood [In the Heights] or overall history [Bring in Da Noise Bring in Da Funk], others present monologues from rappers in rhinestone shirts [Inside the Life & Mind of Jim Jones]. Hip-Hop has made strides in being recognized as the viable art form that it is. It’s inevitable that a deep history has been rooted. And you can now hear all about it, one block away from Evita.

Catch Phrases

“You Down Wit O.P.P.?” “For Evah Evah? For Evah Evah?” “Ballin!” “Hi Haters” “My Lambo is Blue!” Hip-Hop readily embraces a new catch phrase by the hour to use and abuse and proudly don on t-shirts, stickers, and Facebook statuses. All it takes is a catchy line to start an entire movement. The movement generally lasts several months, and the phrase is then retired – picked up by middle aged caucasians and placed in a wheelchair to be paraded for another few months until it finally passes away peacefully on a mug in a print-design kiosk at the mall.

Louis Vuitton

Despite the extravagant cost per item, Louis Vuitton has become the desired designer for Hip-Hop artists and well off afficionados. While suitable bootleggs are available, rarely are they called upon since the real versions are clearly defined status symbols. Signature Louis Vuitton items sported by many Hip-Hop artists include the backpack by Kanye West, the pashmina by Jay-Z (around the neck) and Jim Jones (around the head) and the sunglasses by Pharrell Williams. For women, the obvious accessory is the Louis Vuitton purse (usually the Speedy collection), as proudly donned by character Sid Shaw in the Hip-Hop flick Brownsugar.

House Arrest

As a replacement for imprisonment, when Hip-Hop artists have attempted to live above the law, house arrest has become an alternate means of proving street cred. House arrest keeps a person in their home with limited mobility past the radius of their living space. The fashionable house arrest anklet is worn at all times, making sure that the person on house arrest can’t venture beyond the borders set by the court. Dr. Dre, C-Murder, T.I. have all taken part in imprisonment from home. The result is usually the creation of a new album.

The MacBook Pro

While Apple computers are an essential component to the life of any creative individual due to their sophisticated sound and graphics, the MacBook Pro is the ultimate computer for Hip-Hop producers and DJs. Producers load their MacBook Pros with software such as Pro-Tools, while DJs enjoy the portability of the MacBook Pro and its ability to hold deejaying programs such as Final Scratch and Serato. A MacBook Pro also lacks flavor without its fair share of stickers.

Fat-Tip Markers

There is nothing a graffiti writer loves more than to leave their name on a window or wall in a matter of seconds. The fat-tip marker has become a mainstay for the street artist since the rise of Hip-Hop inspired graffiti in the late ’70s. The theory is that the more toxic the marker, the better, as toxic markers hold a higher chemical compound that withstands any conditions threatening a tag’s removal. Of course, the fatter the marker tip, the better as well. No one will remember a felt-tipped tag.

Beef

Hip-Hop loves its fair share of controversy. That controversy is even more fun when it’s between two different rappers. From KRS-One and MC Shan to Nas and Jay-Z, the occasional spitfire on wax is known to jumpstart Hip-Hop music with that extra helping of ether just when you thought there was a slump. Of course, the kind of beef between rappers that ends in bloodshed is never welcomed, but as long as it’s harmless and interesting, that’s all that matters.

Hipster Rap

Tight pants, bright kicks, silly t-shirts, skateboards, and Risky Business shades – the hipster uniform is the visual reflection of the music of Hipster Rap. While many regard the boombap of hipsterism as a bastardization of real rap culture, others may argue that this new school breed of “Hip-Hop kids” are paying homage to the mid to late ’80s in both their style and sound. Hipster rap artists include the Cool Kids, Mickey Factz, Kidz In the Hall, the Knux, and the recently named principal of Hipster High, Kid Cudi. While many hipster rap artists enjoy the newly coined moniker, many looking for real street cred wish the “hipster” genre would go away.

Grillz

The goldtooth has evolved from one tooth to an entire mouth and has upgraded from gold to platinum to diamonds, much like rap record sales. Whether decorating a dental piece with a name, word, or just diamond studs, grillz are a shining grin for any rapper with a little bit of money. Note: This is completely separate from the dental bills due to the noted tooth decay from actually wearing grillz. Paul Wall has built his rep as the ultimate grilltician, but for those who don’t want to mortgage a house in their mouths, they can purchase a new smile in the back of The Source magazine for under $100 dollars.