urban

[n] - This word started life in 1619, but was rarely used before 1830. It derives from the Latin word urbanus meaning ‘of or pertaining to a city or city life’. As a noun, it originally meant ‘city dweller’. In a marketing context, the term is often seen as a being a label used to conceal racial identity. Urban marketing refers to a particular multicultural lifestyle and attitude which is not based on race, ethnicity or environment. An ‘urban’ market refers to a demographic which is viewed as trend setters and early adopters of new products.

In a racial context ‘urban’ usually, but not exclusively refers to diasporic Africans. In a music context Urban refers to the genre what was previously referred to as ‘black’ music. Urban serves as a race-neutral replacement. (Eg. The Music of Black Origin organisation has now redefined itself by as; mobo n. = recognised to mean all types of music from urban culture).