BUT, there is a fine line between down and whack. This line is crossed when these people who are down with the culture attempt to rise above the participants and aspiring hip-hop heads. They try to be hip by their appearance and by their superior attitude. This is just plain sad. Hip-hop is a part of life not a part of your wardrobe.
Appearance is nothing when the third eye can see through such superficial camouflage.
These people think that of they dress in a certain way they can act in a certain way, not to mention, think in a certain way also. If they could truly understand the culture, they would understand that ignorance is not tolerated. I have seen that most of these so called hip-hoppers are people who have already established themselves in the upper social class. This works because the ignorant who choose to bask in their radiant glow see these people as they are trying to present themselves, as hip-hoppers. This way of attaining an even higher social status brings tears to my eyes because I pity these sad fools.