The problem isn't equating it with Black culture because it is a part of it. The problem is equating Black=hip hop just because Black and/or assuming its all or the only representation of Black culture.
Hip Hop isn't Black culture though.
There's nothing Black about Hip Hop as of 2024.
Hip Hop is youth culture, it's a culture for kids, teens and 20 somethings. Black Americans have a hard time growing up and aging because of the lack of wealth and a lack of stability in our life paths as adults and we hold on to the popular culture of 20 somethings instead of looking forward to our 40s, 50s and 60s.
What's the popular representation of a Black man or woman in their 30s, 40s, 50s that motherfuckers can relate to or connect with that isn't connected to the stupidity of Hip Hop.
We don't have it.
Therefore trials YSL and Chicago gang shit is interesting to 40 years old. We caring about a motherfucker named Megan Thee Stallion and if she got shot or not.
Got old ass motherfuckers wanting to rap at 50. Got politicians asking what Cardi B thinks about FDR.
Maturity and stability comes with wealth and wealth creates responsibility and class. And there's a lack of separation between a Black 20 something and a Black 40 something. There's a lack of separation between a middle class Black person and a Black person in the hood. You shouldn't like and identify with the same shit and all of us do and relate to it.
Hip Hop is responsible for that because people consider it Black culture and it's not and haven't been for a very long time. It's a culture for children and young adults.