Social Identity of The "Rapper"

Myths of social identity can be created by virtually anything. One simply needs to view something that relates to social identity, and then the myth is constituted. It then becomes apparent that society has control over these myths about social identity. Many have already been created, but throughout time they are subject to change. For example, the ideal “rapper,” or “player,” would look a certain way. They would wear certain brands, have baggy clothes, and wear hats a certain way. Currently, “rappers” still have a social identity, but it has changed with the times a little bit. Clothes are not worn as baggy and different brands have arrived. Even the hat has changed throughout time. Snap backs were big a while back in the world of hip hop. Then New Era made fitted hats that were worn by popular hip hop artists. This caused fitted hats to take over the snap backs, everyone wore fitted hats. Just recently, certain rappers started wearing snap backs again. In addition, many other people follow up on the social identity of hip hop artists and they wear snap backs as well. As new hip hop artists rise up, myths of the “rapper” are constantly being updated. The music video, “Carry Out,” displays many modern hip hop artists that constitute the latest myth of the “rapper.”

First of all, the music video is about women who are basically seducing men. This kind of music video is very popular today and it strongly relates to current myths about “rappers” of right now. Female hip hop artists are usually dressed in a sexy way when they are being displayed through a music video or anything else similar to this. This concept has held true for many years as female “rappers” have always dressed seductively, for the most part. In this particular video, it is basically the female’s job to look and act sexy. The women here are wearing clothing that is very revealing. The clothes they have on show all of the arms, including the shoulders, and just about the entire leg is showing on each woman. The only thing that is covering a portion of these legs is the tall boots worn by the females. Just about all of these female models are wearing high heeled boots that go just below the knee. So from their knees, all the way up to the top of their thighs is showing. The upper body is displayed with low cut tops that reveal the shoulders and arms of each female. The sleeves of these women are ruffled, to give their appearance even more of a sexy look. To finish of the females attractive outfit, they were sure to have straps throughout their outfit. Straps that would connect their boots to their shorts, and other things like that. Overall, the female hip hop artists have fulfilled the social identity of having a sexy appearance to seduce the male “rappers.”

The myth of the female “rapper” has not really shifted with the times. Their general appearance has always been to look sexy. This is still the case today. When one looks at recent music videos that contain females, they will see that the females are dressed suggestively and they know they look good. The female in each video has to look attractive and she knows this. So she gives a very intimidating look which can comes off as very attractive. This is how it was in the past, and this is how it is today.

Male “rappers” are a bit different. They used to appear a certain way now they appear a different way. Back in the day, the common “rapper” gave himself the identity if a “thug” or “gangster.” Hip hop artists from the eighties and nineties were known for wearing baggy clothes and sideways hats. They had to give the impression that they were tough. A lot of them often gave the impression that they had weapons, usually guns, with them. Now, hip hop artists have changed their social identity. There has always been a myth of the “rappers” identity, and there still is. But today’s myth of the “rapper” is different. Many artists wear tighter clothes today. You can see someone of the biggest hip hop names wearing skinny jeans and a tight leather jacket. In fact, the hip hop artists from “Carry Out” are all wearing fitted jackets. None of the clothes worn by the artists from this specific video are wearing clothes that are considered baggy. The “rappers” today are not really concerned with looking tough.

In “Carry Out,” the male artists are wearing clothes that look very clean, new, and fancy. They would rather look nice, and wealthy, than look tough. By wearing nice clothes, I mean these artists are even dressing up in some shots of the video. The “rappers” from this video are seen with suit jackets and bow ties. This is something that would have never been worn by hip hop artists in the eighties and nineties. Looking proper and wealthy is the new look for “rappers.” To further prove their wealth, they will more than likely flaunt some sort of jewelry, whether it’s a necklace, bracelet, earrings, or even grills in their teeth. The male hip hop artists from this video are seen with at least one gold chain, one of them actually has two around his neck. This attempt to appear wealthy takes away from the whole “gangster” identity.

These new “rappers” are creating a new social identity that exhibits upper class looks. No more looking tough and talking about the streets. Current hip hop artist give the identity of the “rapper” a whole new meaning. The idea of wealth took over the idea of gangster. There must be a reason for this. Today, it is obvious that hip hop artists are making more money. “Rappers” today truly love their money; they are often times raping about their money on tracks. So instead of looking like tough gangsters, they give the appearance of upper class society. This creates a whole new myth of the “rapper’s” identity, as seen in “Carry Out.” The artists in this video did not look tough at all. They fulfilled the new social identity of looking wealthy, and being a part of the upper class.