Gangsta Rap Research Paper

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

a great party night; whilst others looked on in fear, as this type of music could solicit violence at any moment. Many often wonder how music could create such a hostile environment and become the cause of unwanted behavior; as well as the thought that if certain music makes people engage in such acts, why continue to produce it.
It is believed the” Gangster Rap Music” as they call it is corrupting today’s society. They insinuate the strong, vulgar language and videos accompanying them are influencing the way individuals act. From the way, they dress to the way they speak. Some have even implied the rise of murders in many of the urban areas can be attributed to acts carried out in the communities after listening to “gangsta rap”. “Timmy, Timmy, Timmy Turner, he been wishin’ for a burner, to kill everybody walkin’ he knows that his soul’s in the furnace,” are lyrics to a rap song (Artist: Desiigner, album title: XXL Freshman 2016). This song sparked heated conversations. While there are, many who will join in the stance of its real-life situations there were numerous others whom believed this was pure entertainment and one should not mistake one for the other. In an article published on bet.com (Author: KC Orcutt, Published: July 23, 2017) Desiigner sat down with AllDefDigital to discuss the meaning the song he named after the Fairly Oddparents character. “Timmy Turner is me,” he explains, saying the famed Nickelodeon character is essentially his alter ego. “I was referring to myself, and I was saying that I was wishing for a burner. And when I said ‘she f***in’ for BET,’ I was referring to the girl that would do anything for fame.” He then goes on to share the songs storyline was designed to express he’s aware that asking for a burner (i.e a hit single), much like asking for fame could mean a person is ending up in hell. When today’s youth hear this song without his explanation one can only assume when you hear the rapper speak of a burner, you would think according to the street lingo he is referencing a throw away gun that is used to commit a crime and is then tossed so it cannot be traced to the user.
Without a doubt rap has powerful effects, complexed and multi-sided. We must also understand the diversity in which the views and positions of the rap communities with individuals and groups who openly promote drugs, crimes and glorifying lifestyles of a gangster. According to an article regarding the influence music has on kids (LIVESTRONG.COM); “Listening to lyrics that involve guns, violence and aggressive behavior can have a negative influence on youth. Per a 2003 study published in the “Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,” violent lyrics increase both aggressive thoughts and aggressive feelings. The study also warns, “Repeated exposure to violent lyrics may contribute to the development of an aggressive personality.”
Due to drugs and alcohol being glamorized in lyrics many of the listeners view the use of substances as cool. The music does not place emphasis on the negative impact of the substances; including the possibilities of life long addiction. With an altered mindset, due to the impairment of drugs, lyrics that encourage erratic behavior and poor judgment on behalf of the listener, there is a high probability for unwarranted behavior to take place.
According to a poll taken (debatewise.org), when asked if gangsta rap should be censored, there were two major focuses.

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

underclass?”
In conclusion; based on the reaction of the listeners, gangsta rap music can have a negative impact on our youth. People must be able to separate entertainment from reality and make better decisions as it pertains to what they allow to penetrate their consciousness. They must place care into safe guarding their mental state of being to eliminate being subjected to negative or violent behavior. Parenting, along with establishing values and morals my also play a role in how our youth respond to the rap and entertainment industry. Today there are numerous ways to censor what our youth are listening to and viewing. We now have devices that will allow parents or guardians to block activities they disapprove of. There is also the old-school method of establishing rules and holding individuals accountable for adhering to them along with the reality of the consequences of what will transpire if they are broken.