Why does the media push hip hop so much?

[bluecheer]

Out of all the genres of music, media continues to do their best to push hip hop down peoples throats. You see it being used in commercials, advertisements for sporting events, and the list can go on and on. As we all know, there are much better forms of music out there. Eventually if you tell people that something is good, and brainwash them with it, they will like it 99 percent of the time. Thats just how the human race is. Most people are sheep.

So why the need to continue to push hip hop down peoples throats, when there are other forms of music out there that could sell just as much if promoted and marketed correctly? Is it because these people who work for the media, are they just biased towards hip hop? I have thought that maybe they really are. I mean if they have the power, they are going to choose what they want to market to people correct? Maybe deep down inside they are big fans of hip hop themselves and since it is selling, why change the choice of what they want to sell to the public?

Your thoughts on this?

[Pete]

Profit. Media gives people what people want. Most people. Not all people. It is really that simple. The media will try and promote what will make them the most profit. If someone thought they could make a profit off of rock they would and can. Nothing is stopping them. Some actually do. But right now like it or not a large number of music fans like rap and hip hop.

[Jesse]

Part of what Pete said. I wouldn't say that "most people" like hip-hop. However, enough people with disposable incomes do that it is a profitable venture to push hip-hop. I do think it is a bit of a self-fulfilling prophesy though: If you keep pushing what is popular, it will stay popular and even get more popular, therefor,one can justify pushing what is popular.

[bluecheer]

I believe that alot of people who listen to hip hop, don't do it cause they like it that much, but they do it cause its what the media says is cool and what they should be listening to.

This goes back to my question. The media knows damn well that other forms of music could be marketed the same way, and they would be as popular if marketed correctly. But there are more media outlets choosing hip hop to promote and ignoring other genres of music that could sell just as well, or actually do sell just as much.

Why is this?

[Pete]

Dec 13, 2010 14:18:30 GMT -5 bluecheer said:

I believe that alot of people who listen to hip hop, don't do it cause they like it that much, but they do it cause its what the media says is cool and what they should be listening to.

This goes back to my question. The media knows damn well that other forms of music could be marketed the same way, and they would be as popular if marketed correctly. But there are more media outlets choosing hip hop to promote and ignoring other genres of music that could sell just as well, or actually do sell just as much.

Why is this?

Other forms of music are marketed, promoted and profited from. Right now rap and hip hop is one of the most profitable and marketable. Country is up there too if not more so.

[Pete]

I also think rap might have peaked. A hit single that's just rap is becoming more rare. They at least need someone to sing a hook or a verse etc.

[Pete]

in the top 40 right now there's only like 14 songs that are rap or have raps in them. Only 4 of the 14 are all rapping. The top 3 grossing concerts of 2010 are rock U2, Bon Jovi and AC/DC. There isn't a rap/hip hop act in the top 25 besides Black Eyed Peas. In my not so humble opinion the dominance of rap is waning.

[bluecheer]

Yes but the media continues to choose hip hop acts such as Black Eyed Peas to promote the most. Do you see AC/DC being chosen to perform at the Superbowl? Do you hear AC/DC or U2 being chosen for NBA or NFL ad's? This is what I am getting at. Do you see AC/DC playing at the American Music Awards? Like you said they were one of the top 3 grossing live music acts of 2010, and they are being ignored by the media. Instead the Media chooses Lady GA GA, and Ke$ha to perform at Music Award shows. I don't get it.

[Pete]

Even when rock was king mass media preferred pop. I do see AC/DC in movies IE Iron man etc. U2 is all over the place so is Bon Jovi. Right now the Black Eyed Peas are massive and one of the most successful pop acts in the world. Fergie is a commodity on her own and Will.i.am is one of the most sought after producers. Black Eyed Peas are very hot and every media outlet wants a piece of them. K$sha and Ga Ga are popular pop acts in the same vain of which have been media darlings even before rap existed.

[Speedy]

Dec 13, 2010 14:59:35 GMT -5 bluecheer said:

Do you see AC/DC being chosen to perform at the Superbowl?

1. The Super Bowl has overwhelmingly used Classic Rock acts for half time shows. They use HUGELY classic acts or VERY HOT AT THE TIME acts. Since Janet's boob popped out they have been keeping it safe. Black Eyed Peas are BIG and they aren't Senior Citizens like the WHO, Stones or Paul McCartney.

2. Sorry to sound politically incorrect BUT Professional Sports are dominated by Black Americans. It makes no sense to always have OLD, White Bread dudes playing at half-time, alienating the whole African American part of the country. TRUST ME Black America is about as excited to see AC/DC as most of us are exctited to see Black Eyed Peas.

3. Rock is on the downLOW at this time. It's stagnant. Happily, Rap and Hip Hop are dying the Hair Band Death right as we speak. COUNTRY is the new Top Dog and will be for a time. Expect Country acts next year at HalfTime IMO.

4. Who cares. IMO the BEST half-Time shows were those that had SEVERAL acts all melting together to make some kind of spectacle. It's all just an excuse to hit the bathroom anyhow.

[Jesse]

Do you see AC/DC being chosen to perform at the Superbowl?

No, but let's see, in recent years we've had Paul McCartney, The Who, The Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, Aerosmith, U2, Prince and Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers. That's not bad at all. Let 'em have Black Eyed Peas this year. Classic Rock still leads the series.

I agree with Speedy: Hip-Hop has become as overblown as Hair Metal was in the early 90's and Country is on the verge of taking everything over.....for better or worse. I'll go out on a limb and predict Keith Urban to be the Half-time show for 2012's Super Bowl.

[Trexx]

Pete nailed it first off. Follow the money!