In the 1990s, mainstream hip-hop appealed to a broad demographic favoring both “hardcore” recordings and radio-friendly pop rap. Underground scenes also emerged, articulating an urban street consciousness through performances with creative instrumental grooves and rhyme. Focus on the underground scene in New York City and how DJs, musicians, visual artists, rappers, dancers, and fans created spaces for celebrating inclusivity across age, race, and class lines though an improvisational hip-hop inspired by jazz.

Timothy R. Mangin, assistant professor, Ethnomusicology, Boston College