Applying Hebdige to Hip hop: Flow, Layer, Rupture

Let's use this space to flesh out how we can use Hebdige and Rose to understand what hip hop means to hip hop heads. What is hip hop's system of signs? And what do they mean?

What are the key signs, symbols and themes in hip hop culture?

What are the homologies in hip hop culture? (E.g) What are the similarities we can identify across hip hop's different elements? What do graffiti, break dancing, rapping and MC'ing share? Do they have similar structures of meaning?

Consider the images below -- How can we use Tricia Rose's concepts of Flow, Layering and Rupture/Breaks to analyze hip hop culture and style?

How does this work in breakdancing?

What are these artists sampling and layering as they construct their hip hop style and image on these album covers? How are they acting as bricoleurs, combining commodities, images and histories to create new meaning?

What are a few core elements of hip hop culture and style? 
Here and in class I want us to brainstorm some of the key signs and homologies of hip hop so we can start to understand what hip hop means to the subcultural members? 


One that stands out to me is a demand to define oneself and one's neighborhood -- to refuse the definitions and representations offered by mainstream press. To demand space and recognition so often denied to young people of color. That seems consistent in hip hop across time and place...

What else? Respond in the comments here or add your own post with the same label.