In the last couple years, editorialists have been writing about how many "hipster tendencies" have crossed over to hip-hop/rap culture. Most of this articles are about the changing culture of black youth. However, I think this relates more to the converging of music genres than race.
This is why I classify black kids that intentionally "cross" cultural barriers as either
'blipsters' or 'hood hipster'.
This is why I classify black kids that intentionally "cross" cultural barriers as either
'blipsters' or 'hood hipster'.
BLIPSTERS
Blipster is simply a portmanteau word of 'black' and 'hipster'. The term was popularized by a New York Time article called 'Truly Indie Fans'. The article is about black skateboarders and the struggles to find friends who are into rock music (indie, hardcore, electro) in the African-American community. This term has struck a nerve with open minded people who prefer not to identify music fans by their race. Hipster is a term that has been used to classify a certain subculture for decades and it was primarily used for white young people who immersed themselves in the black jazz culture. Nowadays the term hipster isn't related to jazz music and even though it is usually associated with white people, it can be easily be used for any person of any race that falls into certain criteria. If a person feels like they need to classify people, I think it would be better to simply call someone a hipster, than to create racial subgroups. However, if it is used humorously, I think there is no problem to use the term 'blipster'. Just like any other ethnic group, the black experience adds nuances to the hipster subculture like the types of hair styles possible (dreds, flattops, shaved designs), the integration of soul or hip-hop to electro music, and personal styles inspired from traditional African cultures. Due to the racial divide that still exists in America, the blipster in the crowd is no different from the traditional token black kid, however the term "blipster" also shows that they are not an outsider but just different due to their ethnic background.
HOOD HIPSTERS
I will not go as far as saying I coined the term, but I have been known to call guys and girls 'Hood Hipsters' when they are mainly rap consumers, but have recently decided to add superficial aspects of hipster/indie culture into their look. For example tight colored jeans (guys and girls), large glasses and retro jackets. They usually idolize artists like Kanye, Pharrell and Kid Cudi because they are the most unique hip-hop artists. However, Hood Hipster lack the invested knowledge of music like the aforementioned rappers. Nowadays it seems like everyone is a fan of Coldplay, Nirvana, Radiohead, Panic! At The Disco, Fall Out Boy and Daft Punk. A good mainstream example of the Hood Hipster is Lil Wayne. Recently Lil Wayne has began worn tighter jeans, claimed an appreciation for rock music and pieced his lip. Other Hood Hipsters are members of the Southern California jerk movement and kids who flocked to Hot Topic to buy band tee just because of the design. The Hood Hipster also tends to include a flat brimmed fitted cap, bright shoes like Dunks and an original backpack that can hold anything from school books, a camera, to air. Despite my general tone, I prefer to see a young person express their individuality through fashion, than follow current trends that revolve around clothing in exaggerated sizes and emblazoned logos. Youth is the only time you are encouraged to physically show your uniqueness and I rather see it as a blueprinted trend than to see young people associated with criminals based solely on attire.
via Vice Magazine's DOs and DON'T
DJ Speedy decided to call it 'Gangster Nerd' and his song explains my point
via Gangsta Nizzerd Blog
Blipster is simply a portmanteau word of 'black' and 'hipster'. The term was popularized by a New York Time article called 'Truly Indie Fans'. The article is about black skateboarders and the struggles to find friends who are into rock music (indie, hardcore, electro) in the African-American community. This term has struck a nerve with open minded people who prefer not to identify music fans by their race. Hipster is a term that has been used to classify a certain subculture for decades and it was primarily used for white young people who immersed themselves in the black jazz culture. Nowadays the term hipster isn't related to jazz music and even though it is usually associated with white people, it can be easily be used for any person of any race that falls into certain criteria. If a person feels like they need to classify people, I think it would be better to simply call someone a hipster, than to create racial subgroups. However, if it is used humorously, I think there is no problem to use the term 'blipster'. Just like any other ethnic group, the black experience adds nuances to the hipster subculture like the types of hair styles possible (dreds, flattops, shaved designs), the integration of soul or hip-hop to electro music, and personal styles inspired from traditional African cultures. Due to the racial divide that still exists in America, the blipster in the crowd is no different from the traditional token black kid, however the term "blipster" also shows that they are not an outsider but just different due to their ethnic background.
HOOD HIPSTERS
I will not go as far as saying I coined the term, but I have been known to call guys and girls 'Hood Hipsters' when they are mainly rap consumers, but have recently decided to add superficial aspects of hipster/indie culture into their look. For example tight colored jeans (guys and girls), large glasses and retro jackets. They usually idolize artists like Kanye, Pharrell and Kid Cudi because they are the most unique hip-hop artists. However, Hood Hipster lack the invested knowledge of music like the aforementioned rappers. Nowadays it seems like everyone is a fan of Coldplay, Nirvana, Radiohead, Panic! At The Disco, Fall Out Boy and Daft Punk. A good mainstream example of the Hood Hipster is Lil Wayne. Recently Lil Wayne has began worn tighter jeans, claimed an appreciation for rock music and pieced his lip. Other Hood Hipsters are members of the Southern California jerk movement and kids who flocked to Hot Topic to buy band tee just because of the design. The Hood Hipster also tends to include a flat brimmed fitted cap, bright shoes like Dunks and an original backpack that can hold anything from school books, a camera, to air. Despite my general tone, I prefer to see a young person express their individuality through fashion, than follow current trends that revolve around clothing in exaggerated sizes and emblazoned logos. Youth is the only time you are encouraged to physically show your uniqueness and I rather see it as a blueprinted trend than to see young people associated with criminals based solely on attire.
via Vice Magazine's DOs and DON'TDJ Speedy decided to call it 'Gangster Nerd' and his song explains my point
via Gangsta Nizzerd Blog
