This doesn't necessarily represent my views on the subject, but this article is somthin that might be worthy of discussion. Interested in hearing your opinions.
GANGSTA RAP: CAUSE & EFFECT
revised and edited by eric c., original text: art mcgee
http://www.conscioushiphop.com
To white dominated mass media, the controversy over gangsta rap makes great spectacle. Besides the exploitation of these issues to attract audiences, a central motivation for highlighting gangsta rap continues to be the drama of demonizing black youth culture in general.
"...mainstream white culture is not concerned about black male sexism and misogyny, particularly when it is unleashed against black women and children. It is concerned when young white consumers utilize black popular culture to disrupt cultural values.."
Many say gangsta rap is expressive of the culture of the youth's values, attitudes, and concerns. While others state that it is a genre that has one purpose: make money. More than anything gangsta rap celebrates the world of the "material, " the dog-eat-dog world where you do what you gotta do to make it. In this world killing is necessary for survival. That viewpoint was graphically highlighted in the film "Menace To Society" which dramatized not only young black males killing for sport, but also mass audiences watching and, in many cases, "enjoying" the kill.
"...females must not be duped into supporting shit that hurts under the guise of standing beside your men. If men are betraying you through acts of male violence, you need to save yourselves by resisting.. don't buy the album." (on women against sexist rap)
Gangsta rap is not just an expressive "art" form, it is an expression, humiliation, and attack by the less-visible, more powerful, forces of patriarchal gangsterism: white males that control mass media. They give voice to the brutal, raw anger and rage against our people. Who do you think creates these gangsta albums? It is the white male that puts everything together, advertises it, and sells it! They are the motherfucking hardcore, big-ass bitch pimps, kill-a-nigga gangsta thugs. The black rapper recieves his compensation for his contribution in the project...that's all.
GANGSTA RAP: CAUSE & EFFECT
revised and edited by eric c., original text: art mcgee
http://www.conscioushiphop.com
To white dominated mass media, the controversy over gangsta rap makes great spectacle. Besides the exploitation of these issues to attract audiences, a central motivation for highlighting gangsta rap continues to be the drama of demonizing black youth culture in general.
"...mainstream white culture is not concerned about black male sexism and misogyny, particularly when it is unleashed against black women and children. It is concerned when young white consumers utilize black popular culture to disrupt cultural values.."
Many say gangsta rap is expressive of the culture of the youth's values, attitudes, and concerns. While others state that it is a genre that has one purpose: make money. More than anything gangsta rap celebrates the world of the "material, " the dog-eat-dog world where you do what you gotta do to make it. In this world killing is necessary for survival. That viewpoint was graphically highlighted in the film "Menace To Society" which dramatized not only young black males killing for sport, but also mass audiences watching and, in many cases, "enjoying" the kill.
"...females must not be duped into supporting shit that hurts under the guise of standing beside your men. If men are betraying you through acts of male violence, you need to save yourselves by resisting.. don't buy the album." (on women against sexist rap)
Gangsta rap is not just an expressive "art" form, it is an expression, humiliation, and attack by the less-visible, more powerful, forces of patriarchal gangsterism: white males that control mass media. They give voice to the brutal, raw anger and rage against our people. Who do you think creates these gangsta albums? It is the white male that puts everything together, advertises it, and sells it! They are the motherfucking hardcore, big-ass bitch pimps, kill-a-nigga gangsta thugs. The black rapper recieves his compensation for his contribution in the project...that's all.