Gangsta Rap Research Paper

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Does gangsta rap have a negative impact on our communities? The crowd grew louder as DJ Renegade screamed, “Rep yo’ city, where you from, rep yo’ city, where you from” around the room and clubgoers chanted their area of the city. Some with excitement and joy while others seemed to be focused on the lyrics of song oozing from speakers all around the room as the request was being made by DJ Renegade. “Fuck them other niggas cause I’m down for my niggas, what; fuck them other niggas cause I’m down for my niggas, what; fuck them other niggas, I ride for my niggas, what; I die for my niggas, fuck them other niggas,” those were the lyrics blasting (2005 Snoopified Album: The Best of Snoop Dogg). For some this moment indicated it was going to be …show more content…

The first group focus that stated yes was because…”Gangsta rap encourages listeners to criminality. First, it sometimes uses language that actively incites crime, for example encouraging weapon use, spousal abuse or homophobic attacks. Secondly, it glorifies a lifestyle that is rich with imagery of criminality (e.g. gun use and drug dealing) and this sends out a subconscious but consistent message affirming criminality.” The second group focus that stated no was because…”Gangsta rap is a form of entertainment like any other. Some of its purveyors may use words or imagery that portrays certain criminal acts, but that is because they reflect the culture from which it spawned. Critics miss the subtleties of rap music, in which the rapper often takes on a particular person in a song and so does not necessarily endorse the views or actions it portrays; rap fans are well aware of these ambiguities. Violence and criminality are also endemic in others forms of entertainment, for example opera and classic films often contain large-scale killing and violence. Trying to link gangsta rap to crime is singling it out amongst entertainment forms for political reasons. Would heavy metal, with its comparable content, be picked on instead if it were the music of a black urban

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