To analyze Will Smith's song and video titled Party Starter, it is important to understand the history of hip-hop music. Hip-hop music was created from rap music. Rap has been around since the 70s. It was originally used as a way for inner-city African American youth to express their daily struggles. Most rap songs had a simple beat with words spoken to the beat. These songs were usually happy even when the topic was serious. There was the impression or hope that things would get better. Soon, corporate record labels began repackaging rap music as it gained popularity. Business-minded executives were trying to create broader appeal by erasing hip-hop's historical function. Hip-hop has become a business. Rap music was a precious commodity. In the 1980s, music was resold on the streets through marketing ploys such as videos and Top 40 charts. With the advent of rap, a subgenre called gangsta rap was started. Many rappers have gone from talking about how they want the murders to end to talking about the fact that they are the ones committing the murders. Towards the end of the 1990s, gangsta rap became more common. Many artists have done what record labels wanted, write lyrics that sell. Audiences have become more ethnically and economically diverse. Gangsta rap has been successfully marketed to rebellious teenagers in both inner cities and suburbs. Business-minded artists have been forced to take on the roles of "gangsta" or "playa" or "pimp" which lead to large salaries. Why does this version of rap sell? Because America, especially young people, loves sex, drugs and violence. However, record companies began to receive some criticism over explicit lyrics and videos. This has brought about a new era and "stu...... middle of paper ...... is also criticizing this acceptable form of hip-hop. The song talks about how music has changed since he was away from He started out as a musician. As his acting career took off, Smith focused on film. In Party Starter, Smith says hip-hop is no longer good so it sells record labels want.To be successful, artists must provide what record labels require white women dressed in country hats and dresses Smith says in the song that he wants music to return to its roots arm towards the camera and, ironically, walks off the set wanting to make fun of it at the same time.