This insightful analysis of the broad impact of hip-hop on popular culture examines the circulation of hip-hop through media, academia, business, law, and consumer culture to explain how hip-hop influences thought and action through our societal institutions. * Considers hip-hop across aspects of culture, recognizing hip-hop's pervasive influence on not only clothing styles, music, and brand consumption but also social movements, political activity, legal thought, and artistry * Presents evidence of how U.S. culture is strongly influenced by the main elements of hip-hop culture-emceeing, DJing, break dancing, and graffiti * Argues that hip-hop should be recognized both as an object of study and approach to studying popular culture * Supplies academically rigorous information and perspectives but is written for an educated general readership