research review

From Tokyo to T-Pain, Hip Hop’s Impact

By Quoc Phan

From technology to culture, hip-hop has been making an impact on a global scale. Author Samy Alim’s book Global linguistic flows: hip hop cultures, youth identities talks about the global impact of hip-hop as seen through youth cultural movements. Of particular interest is his description of how linguistic differences across nations are expressed in local hip-hop lyrics. For example, Alim explains how in Japan linguistic and cultural differences have resulted in an adaptation of Western rap language into a more Eastern style of Japanese rap. When Japanese artists translate the hip-hop format they do so using traditional forms of poetry to enhance the appeal for Japanese hip-hop fans.

According to Alim's study, the international hip-hop scene is a prime example on how international media is a cultural agent offering global formats that can be adapted for local use and enjoyment. The author suggests that we are experiencing a global village of forms such as technology, film or music, but with the application of local artistry to enhance the appeal of such products for youth audiences. So, while we see hip hop culture on a global scale, a closer look reveals not just a Western dominated scene, but a collective experience of global artistry.