How do the body shapes of the women in the Hip Hop and Fashion industry psychologically impact the female consumer?

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Research1

Problem statement3

Research aim and objectives3

Aims3

Objectives3

Research Questions3

Layout of the Study4

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW5

Fashion5

The Importance of Being Well Dressed6

Hip-Hop's Globalization6

Flip-Hop and the Media8

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY9

Research design9

Textual Approach Research Methods9

Instrument9

Target population9

Literature Search10

Keywords Used10

REFERENCES11

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Research

The mass media is a powerful tool with which to influence thoughts and ideas about the world (Woodall, Constantine, 2007, 109). Through radio, television, newspaper, and movies, information flows freely from producers to consumers (Kaku, 2011, 80). The mass media plays a central role in disseminating information, and individuals depend on this source of information to provide them with a sense of truth (Watkins, 2005, 75). This dependence on the media creates opportunities for erroneous information to be embedded in the minds of many adults and adolescents (Hunter, 2006, 45).

The hip-hop music industry, whose listening audience includes largely pre-teens, teens, and female adults, has had a major impact on the culture (Thurmond, 2007, 160). Since its entrance in the late 70's and early 80's, hip-hop has expanded from the African American urban community to all sectors to the global community (Harris, Hynes, 2003, 45). Hip-hop is now a worldwide movement that is quickly becoming the prevailing youth culture, from America to Japan, hip-hop is here to stay (Warhol, 2004, 109 ). The beginnings of hip-hop can be traced to a number of pioneers including OJ Kool, Zula Nation founded by Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash (Stokes, 2004, 72). The underground phenomenon became popular when the Sugarhill Gang's Rapper's Delight became the first rap song to hit the pop chart. Since then, audiences soon began to embrace this new style of music (King, 2000, 220).

Hip-hop is becoming one of the most prominent genres of music on the popular culture scene today (Kaku, Kaku, 2011, 80). From the inner cities of New York to the suburbs of Beverly Hills, hip-hop is becoming this generation's newfound exploration of freedom. This is music made by young people as a result of sentiments of alienation from the mainstream power structure (Hunter, 2006, 45). The dominant older culture did not, and was not willing to understand this type of music, consequentially drawing a proverbial line in the sand between the youth and older segments of society (Watkins, 2005, 99). How the mass media covers and portrays the hip-hop culture indicates how the mainstream culture views this phenomenon. Since hip-hop has demonstrated its staying power and has become one of the highest grossing forms of popular music, mass media has acknowledged its validity (Higgins, Smith, 2004, 45). Corporate America has opened its doors to the hip-hop world. From advertisers to movie producers and clothing designers, all are lashing in on hip-hop's world wide appeal to young people (Forman, 2000, 65). Films featuring hip-hop artists such as Will Smith, Ja Rule, Busta Rhymes, Ice Cube, DMX. Queen Latifah, Snoop Dogg, and others have generated more than ...