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As important to the music as the beat boxer, was the socialization that went on inside the circle. Here any member would adopt the standards of behavior, norms, rules, and values of the social world that they found themselves in (Gelles 1/7). It is here that Hip Hop became a way of life. It was a place to vent. It was an environment where people could say what they felt about any subject. The lyrics were completely interpretive, holding a certain meaning for one individual and another for the next person. But it was this bond that tied everyone together. Especially in New York at the time, there were issues relating to crime, drugs, and poverty that needed to be addressed quickly. Since no one would listen to anyone of the lower classes about these issues, artists turned the page to musical expression. The nation of Hip Hop sure has come a long way. .
Chuck D. is one of the most influential members of Hip Hop's history. He is known for his political vocals with a group called Public Enemy. Being a child of the 1960's, Chuck D. has seen the entire reign of the rap culture, and his book Fight the Power explains in detail the changes that have been made in Hip Hop. His literature reflects the lifestyle of a transformed society. He describes the current state of Hip Hop to be in need. He explains that "we have images on television, video, and film talking to us more than we talk to each other" (Chuck D. 45). What he is touching on is the widely supported view that Hip Hop is becoming commercialized. The artistic forms that make it to your radio are not the final product of the artist, but rather an edited edition that is revised by corporate America. This new version of a song will portray what big businesses want you to hear. On an album, the tracks are seldom altered due to the fact that record companies already have your money, so why censor any further product. This is an unfair situation for the artist.