Taking a Piece of Gangsta Rap

[Loretta R. Payson]

Gangster rap or coined today as Gangsta rap has been around for over two decades now tracing Southern California as to where it was originated. As a west coast phenomenon, Gangsta rap had produced successful and famous artist including 50 cent, DMX, Tupac Shakur, Scarface, Notorious BIG and many others since it was launched into mainstream in early 80’s. Among these artists, it was ICE-T who has pioneered to release the very first gangsta rap song entitled “6 in the Mornin”.

Gangsta rap’s popularity is twined with controversies of promoting violence, drugs, profanity, gangster activities, abuse of alcohol and even homophobia. With issues concerning this, it had brought a lot of criticism and accusations stereotypically to be a manifestation of hostility that it said to turn as a bad influence and sample to youth groups. However, gangsta rappers and artists claim otherwise. They contended that, this hip-hop genre is not an indication of such controversies but a reflection of the reality that stricken inner-city suburbs and ghettos. Gangsta artist pleads that their intention is really to show and make the world realize that life in the ghetto and street is not a pleasing scenario. They want to deliver a message to the good government that they must take action and concern over this problem.

The usual content of typical gangsta lyrics tells a story of a gangster lifestyle that details their criminal background, hardships and struggles. It would be fair to assume that maybe gangsta rap artist are just misunderstood and mistakenly interpreted. They can always use this as their blanket defense; after all, what is important for them is that, through this type of music, they make a living out of it. Often than not, what the gangsta rap genre influenced is not the lifestyle itself but is only limited to the way others dress their self up like the admiration for bling-blings and loose pants.