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What is Street Cred?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

In hip-hop and inner-city cultures, respect is something one earns through tangible accomplishments, not empty posturing or superficial bragging. The truest measure of a person's trustworthiness and expertise is often expressed as his or her street cred, short for "street credibility." Street cred can mark the difference between a talented rapper or break dancer and someone who's only posing, or deliberately exaggerating their skills.

True street cred is not easy to achieve, since it is based on real skills or true experiences. A rap artist who gets signed to a known music label, for example, might earn his "props" (proper respect), but that doesn't necessarily mean he has earned credibility yet. The rapper may have to put on a full concert to demonstrate his skills and prove he or she is the real deal, not someone who got a lucky break. Earning street cred is important in the hip-hop and urban music industry, since potential customers need to know the artist has earned his or her spot on the charts.

Earning street cred is important in rap music.
Earning street cred is important in rap music.

The term street cred has actually worked its way into mainstream popular culture. A professional in the legal, financial or medical fields, for example, may have to earn a certain amount of "street cred" in order to attract the best potential clients. A cosmetic surgeon often builds up a significant levels of it by performing high quality work on A-list clients. The same could be said for a stock broker who earns respect by selecting the best stocks, or a lawyer who does so by successfully defending high-profile clients.

A talent break dancer might have garnered street cred.
A talent break dancer might have garnered street cred.

Street cred in the inner-city or hip-hop communities is not always a permanent arrangement, however. Someone who shows disrespect for those in his or her former community, for example, may suddenly discover his or her credibility is no longer assured. Exposure as a fraud or a cheat can also seriously affect a person's status. It is important to "walk the walk" and not just "talk the talk" when it comes to maintaining true street cred.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Markerrag

There's nothing worse than people in the rural South throwing around the term "street cred." The use of such slang in places where it is totally inappropriate should be avoided. That's just common sense.

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    • Earning street cred is important in rap music.
      By: Kzenon
      Earning street cred is important in rap music.
    • A talent break dancer might have garnered street cred.
      By: Nejron Photo
      A talent break dancer might have garnered street cred.
    • Inner-city youth may commit violent crimes to gain street cred.
      By: Nomad_Soul
      Inner-city youth may commit violent crimes to gain street cred.
    • Street cred is important to a teen's acceptance by their peers.
      By: Monkey Business
      Street cred is important to a teen's acceptance by their peers.