Final answer:
The early success of rappers was chiefly spread through independent radio stations and word of mouth. Hip hop initially spread locally and then to farther areas through contagious and hierarchical diffusion, with the South Bronx as its cultural hearth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Spread of Early Hip Hop
The early rappers' success was mostly spread through independent radio stations and word of mouth, including venues like house parties. Despite other forms of spreading culture such as beatnik poets, graffiti artists, and music by beatnik bands, it was the power of oral tradition and emerging media outlets that effectively broadcasted hip hop beyond the Bronx. The original hip hop scene didn't utilize traditional instruments but instead revolved around the DJ and rapper. When hip hop reached New Jersey, it experienced stimulus diffusion—it retained core elements but adapted to the new environment, incorporating trained musicians for beats. As hip hop spread to cities like Los Angeles, it morphed to reflect local issues, such as gang violence in 'gangsta rap'.
Hip hop's diffusion patterns included contagious diffusion, spreading locally first then to areas further away, and hierarchical diffusion, where it was first adopted in large cities then to smaller cities and rural areas. This diffusion process reflects a typical pattern for cultural phenomena. Barriers such as social, economic, and cultural factors slowed hip hop's spread initially, as icons like Motown Records were initially hesitant to embrace the genre, but eventually, hip hop overcame these barriers.
Despite similarities between hip hop culture and the beatniks' counterculture, the diffusion of hip hop was primarily a function of modern communication technologies and personal movement—with DJs or MCs physically relocating and spreading the culture, known as relocation diffusion. The South Bronx remains recognized as the cultural hearth of hip hop.