Hanaleimike said it pretty well... insofar as the ideology, artistic expression is concerned. That was definitely one aspect of it and was the appeal for some/most (?). I would add to his list, eminem. It was simple, honest music/self expression.
You either were one of the tribe and understood it or you didn't. No one really cared what you thought of it.
For me, the genre of music I listened to first was punk, or more precisely American hardcore. I never paid much attention to the lyrics, or political statements and didn't care much about being anti-establishment or anything like that. It was just about the way the music made you feel.
Most of it was absolutely terrible to listen to, but the good stuff was just pure unadulterated aggressive sonic energy. It made you want to slam down your beer, enter the mosh pit, dive off the stage, jump off a 30 foot cliff on your snowboard, slide down a 10 stair hand rail on your skateboard. Perfect compliment to a 14-21 year old male lifestyle.
The hardcore bands out of Washington DC and suburbia USA/Canada exemplified this sound:
- Bad Brains "Banned in DC" (the best punk/hardcore band in my books..great reggae as well)
- Black Flag
- Circle Jerks
- Bad Religion
- Misfits
- Minor Threat, DOA, SNFU, Agnostic Front, Pennywise.
Not exactly punk, but Metallica was also capable of serving up heavy doses of adrenaline with their music (listen to Justice for All).
There is a documentary called "American Hardcore" that attempts to explain the appeal and history of punk rock. It's at least good for a laugh.
A better one is "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey".
I rarely listen to this stuff now, but wouldn't trade the loss of hearing, scars for anything.
