From nothing to something.

     All things are created from somewhere. Hip is no exception. Many things begin in one place, and then with time, later blossom into much more. Hip can essentially be "born" anywhere. From the small town in Alabama to the night life of Los Angeles, hip is truly universal. My opinion stands that hip is originally born in a small environment, and then begins to "adapt" to its surroundings, much like an animal would. I mean, if "hip" is considered to be the latest trend then wouldn't it have to "adapt" to its surroundings?

       We know that hip, for the most part, began within the tight quarters of the enslaved Africans in America. (not African American, because think about it, not all black people come from Africa...Yeah, remember in my last post how I said people can be pretty stupid? Anyway,) With the evolution and change that the industrial revolution brought, hip began to evolve and change with it. I do agree with Leland's argument, that urbanizing provides an important role in the way hip takes on its shape. I would also argue that urbanization alone, is not the main ingredient. I think there are many other factors such as people wanting a new trend, certain groups looking to break off from the mainstream, and many other factors.

     As I said earlier, hip can basically begin anywhere. Hip can begin as a seemingly harmless idea, that will suddenly skyrocket into a movement. Don't believe me?

A.) The wearing of black armbands to protest the Vietnam War.
B.) Wearing popped collars.
C.) Listening to rap music.

     All of the above are past or current demonstrations of being hip.
The black armbands began as a silent way to protest the Vietnam War, and as a result kids were thrown out of school, the bearers were shunned from society, from what I read, it was a mess. But the intent was not to wear them as a fashion statement. The intent was to try and get the message across that many people disagreed with the Vietnam War and the direction the country was headed at the time.
     Popped collars and rap music practically go hand in hand. Rap music began as a way for blacks to communicate before and after the midst of the civil war. Now rap has evolved into an entire music genera. I think any educated man could say that rap was never intended to go this far. Robert E Lee and Abe Lincoln would have never thought in a million years rap would have turned into this, and be such the hit that it is today.
     Popped collars are another thing. In a song by Three Six Mafia called Poppin' my collar. They make a great effort to make the point that it is cool to pop your collar, and that in doing so will make you that much more "hip." How the clothing industry has evolved. Just fifty years ago, people used to dress as if they were going to meet the president or something of equal magnitude ALL THE TIME. It is pretty rare to see a sight like that nowadays.
     Hip comes from all places. Not just from urbanization and not just from the outside of a city, but from everywhere. Because thats what makes being hip unique right? the fact that an idea can be born from literally an empty thought, and yet, be such a trend. How beautiful is that?