The last reason Hip Hop music does not cause dangerous behavior is because it symbolizes culture. Hip-hop originated in the predominantly African American regions in New York City in the late 1970s. The hip hop culture is a great mechanism to unify the various diverse populations. Although created by the black community in the streets, hip hop's influence has become global. According to Vibe magazine approximately 75 percent of the rap and hip hop audience is nonblack and today, hip hop/rap is the fastest growing music genre in the U.S., accounting for more than 10 percent of the $12.3 billion music sales in 1998. Although it may seem like hip hop is primarily a form of entertainment, rap is an effective way to express social, political, and
