Gangsta Rap Research Paper

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Pages: 3

Gangsta rap, or gangster rap, is a subgenre of hip-hop music. The genre derived from hardcore hip hop into a form, led in the 1980s by rappers such as Ice-T and Schoolly D, and was also expanded by groups like N.W.A. Gangsta rap became the most commercially craved subgenre of hip hop. Many gangsta rap artists openly talk about their connections with street gangs as part of their image, the Bloods and Crips being the most common. The subjects in gangsta rap has caused a great deal of controversy. Criticism has come from political figures who have accused the genre of promoting crime, serial killing, murder, violence, profanity, sex addiction, homophobia, racism, rape, street gangs, shootings, vandalism, thievery, drug dealing, alcohol abuse, disregarding …show more content…
Music is a reflection of self. Gangsta Rap is one of these reflections. Both George Bush and Bill Clinton downtalked the genre. "Many black rappers, including Ice-T and Sister Souljah, contend that they are being unfairly singled out because their music reflects deep changes in society not being addressed anywhere else in the public forum. The white politicians, the artists complain, neither understand the music nor desire to hear what's going on in the devastated communities that gave birth to the art form," according to journalist Chuck Philips in a article of the battle between "the Establishment" and defenders of rap music. "The reason why rap is under attack is because it exposes all the contradictions of American culture ...What started out as an underground art form has become a vehicle to expose a lot of critical issues that are not usually discussed in American politics. The problem here is that the White House and wanna-bes like Bill Clinton represent a political system that never intends to deal with inner city urban chaos," Sister Souljah told Philips. Gangsta rappers defend themselves by saying they are