Underground vs. Mainstream: A Quick Look

I hate to use the cliche "Webster's Dictionary defines..." essay opener, but whether I like it or not, it will assist me in what I'm trying to accomplish in this post.

So first, I'll give you a few definitions of "underground" straight from Webster:
a: "an unofficial, unsanctioned, or illegal but informal movement or group; especially : a usually avant-garde group or movement that functions outside the establishment"
b: "existing outside the establishment"
c: "produced or published outside the establishment especially by the avant-garde"

(In all three of these definitions, it's important to notice the repetition of the phrase "outside the establishment." In hip hop's case, the "establishment" is represented by major record labels, radio stations, etc... i.e. the rap industry.)

Now we'll look at "mainstream."
: "a prevailing current or direction of activity or influence"


You'll notice that the word "mainstream" is given absolutely no negative connotation. The fact that certain hip hop artists are mainstream is not the problem at all. The problem is what it takes to be a mainstream artist these days. Hip hop executives have figured out what sells: materialism, misogyny, violence... pretty much what you're hearing on the radio. Artists who aren't willing to fit themselves into that particular mainstream profile won't be getting radio play or million dollar contracts until they're willing to format their material; unfortunately, some artists do exactly that.

But some artists aren't happy with the "prevailing current or direction of activity or influence" in the hip hop world. These artists stand defiantly against what's accepted and continue to write deep, thoughtful lyrics and strive to destroy negative stereotypes about their culture and bring it back to its positive roots.


Wrap Up
In my next post, I'll explore underground culture in more detail. Until then, I have some underground listening material for you. This is a playlist of tracks by a group named Black Star, comprised of MC's Talib Kweli and Mos Def. I would consider both of these guys underground, although they have been able to infiltrate the mainstream world at times. Pay attention to the lyrical material, and how it's completely devoid of misogyny, violence, materialism or anything else that is stereotypically "hip hop." In fact, you'll find that it's quite the opposite.

(Oh, and don't pay attention to the track titled "Get my Gun." That's not a Black Star song and I don't know how it found its way into this playlist. You'd have to ask an imeem.com user named myko ablog, because that's who I stole this from.)