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What is Gangsta Rap?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Gangsta rap is a form of hip hop, also called rap music, that first became a popular and controversial art form in the early 1990s. The first song to be part of this genre is usually considered to be the 1987 Ice-T song 6 n the Mornin. Earlier musicians likely influenced this type of music, and Reggae music has a long history of describing conflicts with the law. The Bob Marley song I Shot the Sheriff, released in 1973, predates most gangsta rap by almost 20 years.

Generally speaking, gangsta rap tends to reference illegal activities, including gang involvement, trouble with the law, prostitution, rape of women and many references to violence. References to violence were nothing new in music; heavy metal is replete with them. This form of rap often seems to glorify violence, however, as well as sanction gang involvement and drug use, and denigrate women.

Gangsta rap helped push rap music into the mainstream music world.
Gangsta rap helped push rap music into the mainstream music world.

Despite the controversial nature of the subject matter in gangsta rap, or perhaps because of it, it soon pushed rap into the mainstream, making it by far some of the most popular and best selling music in the US. Early artists include Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Spice 1, and Sir Jinx. They are considered some of the most influential people in the movement.

Rivalry also arose between west coast and east coast artists in gangsta rap, which furthered its unsavory reputation. Many feel life imitated art as this rivalry culminated in the death of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. lead Biggie Smalls. Though some, like Puff Daddy, claimed that the deaths had caused the death of the genre, albums continued to be made and were the most popular among hip hop fans.

Gangsta rap tends to reference illegal activities, such as prostitution.
Gangsta rap tends to reference illegal activities, such as prostitution.

What gangsta rap is vastly depends on the artist. Some artists like Ice-T are articulate and poetic, critics of the society. Gang life is not glorified but shown as the place where most poor blacks end their lives. Cops are viewed as abusive and racist. These experiences were taken seriously, especially from the early architects of gangsta rap, who were generally people who had lived the kind of lifestyle they addressed. Later, rappers were more imitative, and many find them less socially relevant, focusing only on the sensational instead of on social critique.

Gangsta rap frequently include lyrics relating to violent acts.
Gangsta rap frequently include lyrics relating to violent acts.

It should be noted that gangsta rap has evoked the ire of many critics. Some criticize the way in which it contributes to negative opinions about the African American community, or how it demeans women. Others see it as a threat to the security of society, and are infuriated by the obscene language.

Since the early 2000s, gangsta rap has started to lose its steam and more upbeat artists, like those in the "Crunk" movement, became more popular. Constant criticism by key members in the African American entertainment community, including Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, Spike Lee, may also to an extent have influenced this downturn in popularity. On the other hand, most music goes through phases of popularity, and it may just be that this particular genre has had its day and the public is ready for new music forms.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent MusicalExpert contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent MusicalExpert contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Discussion Comments

Chmander

@Viranty - Just my opinion, but I believe that eventually, a piece of music can become a part of our soul, and it becomes even more of who we are. That's generally why I don't like listening to rap music. Though it's not always the case, some of the lyrics and tunes are incredibly foul. I don't want that filth to become a part of me. For I know that if I was a big fan of rap, and I listened to some of those songs constantly, they wouldn't leave me anytime soon. Obviously, not all rap music is vulgar nonsense, but we should always be careful what we listen to.

Viranty

Has anyone noticed that once you listen to a song over and over again, it stays with you for years? As an example, when I was a kid, I would always watch Barney the Dinosaur. Many years later, even till this day and age, I remember the theme song like the back of my hand. Does anyone know why this is? Does music become a part of us once we listen to a song constantly?

RoyalSpyder

@Chmander - I agree with you, especially when the article says that gangsta rap generally references gangs, illegal activities, and even rape. However, I think this generalization is based on how controversial music is. It comes in all forms and sounds, and over the past years, it's been associated with "groups" of people, per se.

For example, when we think of country music, do we think of African Americans? No, of course we don't. The stereotype is that anyone who listens to country music is a white redneck with no taste. Obviously, this is another generalization, as I have plenty of friends who listen to country music. Don't blame the article, blame society for generalizing what music people should and shouldn't listen to.

Chmander

As the article indirectly states, "gangsta" rap is a very controversial subject. Usually when people think of that form music, they imagine blacks gangsters with their pants hanging low, dropping swear words every ten seconds. However, though a lot of rap does fall under this medium, it's not always the case. In fact, I feel that the article is making a huge generalization about it.

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    • Gangsta rap helped push rap music into the mainstream music world.
      By: Kzenon
      Gangsta rap helped push rap music into the mainstream music world.
    • Gangsta rap tends to reference illegal activities, such as prostitution.
      By: Anatoly Tiplyashin
      Gangsta rap tends to reference illegal activities, such as prostitution.
    • Gangsta rap frequently include lyrics relating to violent acts.
      By: Nomad_Soul
      Gangsta rap frequently include lyrics relating to violent acts.
    • Some believe that violence in gangsta rap leads to increased violence in real life.
      By: Monkey Business
      Some believe that violence in gangsta rap leads to increased violence in real life.
    • Gangsta rap often references weapons, especially knives.
      By: BortN66
      Gangsta rap often references weapons, especially knives.