Video conventions

Within the mainstream side of hip hop, lyrics are not usually expressed in the same way as underground hip hop. Therefore, in the mainstream rappers usually create music with upbeat rhythms distracting the audience from the lyrics. Due to this mainstream hip hop never really have a good or even yet any storyline. The videos are usually several including people dancing and having fun, also attractive women dressed in revealing clothing. In addition to these conventions hip hop videos also include men wearing expensive brands and jewellery. Mainstream videos are usually located in a party scene if not it is located at some sort of gathering where plenty of people will be dancing and enjoying the music and the use of recreational drugs will often be used. An example of a mainstream rapper is 50 cent. Even though 50 cent started of as a more underground/old school rapper his rapping slowly changed into a mainstream flow. Rappers tend to do this as the mainstream institution involves more money, fame and recognition.

However, in old school and prominently called the real side of hip hop, The videos and lyrics obtained within the genre are usually true stories, meaning the videos will frequently have a strong story line. Old school or underground hip hop videos may include violence or the misogyny towards women but this is to either show the reality which is portrayed in the rappers lifestyle or this is used to send a message towards the audience. An example of rappers whom do this is the hip hop group “The Roots” and “NWA”.
The controversial hip hop group “NWA” rapped about the mistreatment by police in a period of time racism was a big influence to rap artist. However NWA was the first rap group to do make it so big from alternatively “dissing” the police. The group includes some of the biggest rappers today. NWA includes one of the biggest rappers and producers in the world such as Dr.dre, Ice Cube, the deceased Eazy E, DJ Yella and Mc Ren.