Welcome to the Webpage that Explains the Real Difference Between Mainstream and Alternative Hip-hop.
The main purpose for my research is to explain the differences and similarities between mainstream and alternative hip-hop. This paper explores the differences between the two categories of hip-hop, and their relationship towards each other. From my topic I will try to answer questions such as; is mainstream more popular than alternative, what attracts people to alternative hip-hop, and what defines an artist as being mainstream or alternative? Mainstream music is defined by (urban dictionary) as being Music that's usually on the radio Top 40, and which genre is listened to most by the general public. Alternative can be defined as, “hip-hop groups that refuse to conform to any of the traditional stereotypes of rap, such as gangster, funk, bass, hardcore, and party rap. Instead, they blur genres, drawing equally from funk and pop/rock, as well as jazz, soul, reggae, and even folk.”(Allmusic.com) I will also explain how underground can substitute for alternative hip-hop. My hypothesis is that there is no real difference between mainstream hip-hop and alternative hip-hop, and the two genres are based more off personal preference rather than style or method of creation. I plan to test my hypothesis by interviewing supporters of both mainstream and alternative hip-hop and individuals that listen to them both equally. My conclusion will indicate the real differences between the two genres and determine which is better based on popular opinion and consumer profits. The type of research that I will be performing for this project is qualitative research. I’ll be utilizing content analyze to examine sub-content of hip-hop’s sub-genres mainstream and alternative music. The use of qualitative research allows me to better explain and categories my research rather than just predict the outcome of my research using specific statistics and data. This is an exploratory research project. Some of the questions that will be answer within my research are...
1. What is mainstream and alternative hip-hop?
For this section I will look into the history of both genres and find out what it is exactly that makes a genre mainstream or alternative. I feel that it’s important to understand what each subject is before comparing and contrasting between the two. My research will include how each genre was created and how they are currently interpreted by the general public. Also, my research will incorporate famous names that define each genre. I will look at the aspects of their style placing them in either mainstream or alternative. Finally I’ll find out if it’s the artist themselves or the fans that place the music in the category of mainstream or alternative.
2. Which genre is more popular between mainstream and alternative hip-hop (based on public opinion)?
In this section my research will show which genre is better in terms of popularity, record sales, and cultural relevancy. The research will show which genre is more popular among hip-hop enthusiasts and non-hip-hop listeners. My rational for non-hip-hop listeners is that almost everyone has heard of a song/artist from every genre of music; the question is does the hip-hop song/artist they may have heard belong to mainstream or alternative. If Snoop-Dog was a mainstream rapper would he be considered an artist that almost everyone has heard of due to popularity? My research will also show if it’s the record sales that determine if an artist is mainstream or alternative. Cultural relevancy may determine which genre is more popular between mainstream and alternative hip-hop.
3. How does mainstream and alternative hip-hop negatively affect the hip-hop community?
Negative themes in music and negative images from the artist maybe what gives a culture its reputation. Every genre of music has its flaws, and hip-hop is no exception. My research will show the negative aspects of hip-hop’s subgenres mainstream and alternative. One of the questions that I will answer is, which sub-genre is viewed more negatively? The research will also show if the negative images that are found within the genre will help or hurt it popularity and financially capability. Negative images in music and media may not always hurt the industry as a whole.
4. How does mainstream and alternative hip-hop positively affect the hip-hop community?
Positive images and themes sometimes uplift and unit a music culture. The question is which sub-genre has more positive images and beneficial influence; therefore making it more accepted by its culture. Also, I will find out what are the benefits of each genre and how does it communicate to audiences of different cultures. Does alternative hip-hop have a more positive image because it possibly isn’t under a media microscope like mainstream, or does alternative have a more negative image because it possibly deals with underground/urban culture with violence and exploitation? Whatever the case positive images for hip-hop media can either hurt or help it, my research on its sub-genres will determine which images are seen as positive and how they relate back to its respective culture.
5. What are the overall/main differences and similarities between mainstream and alternative hip-hop?
This section will be an overall summation of the two sub-genres. What differences make up mainstream and alternative hip-hop? What are the two sub-genres similarities? Which is the better overall genre and why? Is one genre less of a cultural influence than the other? Also, I believe a public opinion is needed as for distinguishing between the two sub-genres. Without consumer input on the targeted genre the data could possibly be incomplete. Lastly, what are the obvious and minute differences between the two sub-genres?