I think kids adopt the hip-hop culture because it makes them feel like they are doing something dangerous and exciting. The attitude is largely a function of the music. So-called "wiggers" didn't exist in the 1940's because they weren't listening to the music of Tupac and other rappers that glamourize gangter life.
I would never blame someone's illicit actions on music, though. Ask yourself this question, however: how many "thugs" were inspired by metallica or guns n' roses? Hip-hop is an extremely strong stimulus for many kids today, causing many of them to adopt attitudes in which they believe they are "bad" and dangerous. I see this everday. Hell, my neighbor's kid is white and is heavily into all of that. Causes him to do some bad shit.