It's all History

In its earliest years, Hip Hop music was classified as underground music. As the influences of the mass market and the various media systems cloud the genre, people must look to underground hip-hop music to find the pure themes that once drove this influential genre.

A Reminder of Rap’s Political and Radical Roots

Underground hip-hop music is known for challenging political systems. If you are in search of music that is truly ground shaking, you will have to turn your attention to underground hip-hop. Artists that typically create music in this space and with this reputation can do so because they are typically free from commercial standards of judgement. This freedom gives room for creativity that not only impacts those who actively listen to underground music but also mainstream rap music. While rappers such as Jay Z and Nas are considered mainstream, you will notice that much of their music contains political awareness. The content of some of their songs is very similar to what is typically published by underground hip-hop artists.

Underground Hip-Hop Inspires Ownership

Another way that the underground hip-hop scene impacts the rap game is in the level of control that underground artists have over the music that they create. These artists are usually not watched by the government, neither are they influenced by large corporations. Most artists that are e considered to be underground hip-hop artists are independent (or “indie”) labels. While they publish music and practice their art with these labels, they tend to have much more control and influence over the promotion, sale and distribution of their art. Fundamentally, underground artists run their own labels and by doing this, they have complete autonomy over their careers.

This autonomy and control have influenced the rap game and has cause mainstream rappers who are signed to huge labels to become more aware of the need to own their music and their careers. In this way, underground hip-hop has shaped the way that artists view the entire music business.

In Conclusion

Underground music is like the big brother that keeps the hip young brother in line. Underground music serves as a reminder to those who comprise mainstream rap of their original roots.