With the commercial successes of some of the big names in hip hop such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem and 50 Cent, does this mean that hip-hop has lost its "authenticity" or is hip-hop still "keeping it real?"

"Truth be told hip-hop has always been commercial since 1979," said Ebony Utley, currently teaching "Hip Hop Culture: Keeping it Real" at Marquette. "It's all about making money and being able to sell and get yourself out of the hood. It's all about a 'come up' story."

Even hip hop artists that are not from the hood but grew up in the suburbs can also be considered "real." It's all about going from "the average kid in your block to being 'The Man,'" Utley said.

Utley also stated that the other ways for a hip hop artist to be labeled "real" is to acknowledge your background or have motives that are consistent with the music.

Most people might say that 50 Cent, who isn't just a rapper but starred in a movie about his life and has a video game out in stores, isn't a hip hop artist that "keeps it real." But according to Utley he is, and it's because he has been consistent since he made it big in the music industry.

"He admitted that he was in the game to make money and that's what he's doing," Utley said. "And he has a 'come up story.' Everybody knows the man has been shot nine times; that's probably more important than anything he has ever said on any of his albums as far as keeping it real. But for him it's about, you know, making that money."

What also has stayed the same in hip-hop is its culture, ever since it got it start in 1973 in the Bronx, NY City. According to Utley, people are still talking about the shock value and violence in hip-hop but the only difference for the past 20 years is the public's response to the music. It is now seen as a less "horrific" thing to the listeners.

But one thing that people might say has evolved in the hip hop culture is the fashion — from the baggy pants to pastel-colored polo shirts right now. This, however, does not mean that hip-hop artists are once again not "keeping it real."

"Hip-hop generation is growing up," Utley said. "Jay-Z is, like, 36. It kind of makes sense. He got a job behind the desk; it makes sense he would be in a suit and a tie now."

Utley said that it also has something to do with where the artist was born and raised. An example would be the rapper Kanye West who grew up in the Midwest, "where the style is sort of different." Utley said the preppy look West is introducing is part of the diversity of the culture.

Utley also stated that the white t-shirt and jeans might be the staple look of hip-hop artists who grew up in the South because it was hot, with colors being absorbed more by the sun. For the artist growing up in the north, they might wear more clothes in the winter, according to Utley.

"I think there are some practical reasons," Utley said.

With hip-hop culture there is also social responsibility. One thing that probably fascinates people about the hip-hop artists is their take on social issues.

"There are some socially conscious rappers that are socially conscious all that time, and if it's not about social responsibility then is not worth talking about," Utley said.

Utley, however, said that there are artists who are about social responsibility at some times and the other times are "interested in having a good time" — like West with the materials in his music.

"Perhaps that's most realistic," Utley said. "Because no matter how much we try, we're human. We're gonna make mistakes. We're gonna give in to our desires."

Utley will be giving a seminar called "Hip Hop Culture: Then and Now" with a question and answer portion on April 4 at 3 p.m. in the Raynor Library Conference Center. This event is Utley's first public lecture that is open to the faculty and community.

Several issues Utley will discuss at the seminar are the definition of hip-hop, its culture, history, origin and "realness." Also how hip-hop is being perceived by the younger and older generation. Admission to the event is free with a Marquette ID Card needed to enter the library; general public are required to register at the library entrance with a photo ID.