The Power of the Hoodie - A Brief Personal History of Grime - Notes

The Power of the Hoodie - Notes

The hoodie was everywhere during the UK riots.
The hoodie has been a political symbol long before it became a policy initiative.
- the use of balaclavas, bandanas and caps worn low to disguise the eyes,represent a seizing of anonymity and a self- exemption from public identification.
As for the hoodie, its mass adoptions an everyday item began with the parallel popularity of hip-hop imported from the US in the 1980s, where rappers modelled themselves as athletes in a bid to emulate the power and success of world-beating sports starts.
- Hip-Hop turned to gang culture for its stylistic cues.
  - Hip-Hop's emphasis on strength, status and prowess ensured that Rocky Balboa's grey marl hoodie would become the iconic, indispensable wardrobe staple for a generation weaned on rhymes and beats.
Once, the hoodie was worn to convey images of power and success; later on, it became a symbol of menace and lawlessness,and that is undoubtedly central to its identification with Britain's 'asbo' generation.

'ABSO' - Anti-Social Behaviour Order

It was banned by the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent and later by several schools in England and Wales.
Regardless of its origins, however, for the kids who live in the suburbs and inner-city estates where threat and violence are everyday realities, the hoodie is, above all, a tool for blending in, rather than standing out.
Teenagers are under intense peer pressure to conform to a collective identity, acceptance means adopting a prescribed outfit. For some, there may be no choice but to wear and shoulder its associations.

A Brief, Personal History of Grime: UK's homegrown answer to hip-hop - Notes

During the early 2000s, something distinctly British was born - grime.
- Grime was born from reggae, dancehall and garage.
Grime didn't have much of an impact on the charts.
Second coming of genre - reflects a new form political disillusionment.
The revival of the genre has now included hip-hop and American rappers. Kanye West and Drake have been associated with the genre of grime.
Many are predicting that grime could be Britain's next "big cultural export."