US, 7 years. Your statement could be applied to any genre of music. Are you still in high school? Honestly, the only people I know who cling to some imaginary counterculture, or pseudo intellectual identity are high school students. Maybe you should name drop some obscure artsy bands, or tell me about the virtues of post punk England.
Obviously, there are people who aren't fanatical about music, who are insecure, and rely on the most accessible forms of media and marketing for cues as to what's cool. It has nothing to do with rap. It has everything to do with feeling alienated and wanting to belong. Tell me the difference between a kid with black fingernails, shitkickers, and a marilyn manson t, and another with an airbrushed biggie t, flat brimmed fitted, and dunks.