Why Rappers Are Wannabe Gansters?

[Dean Winchester]

This is a question that I just cannot seem to understand. Seems like almost every rapper has to be this gangster, its like why? They rap about how they gonna kill somebody or beat them up and we all know 90% of them are not even gonna do anything like that. I know its all a gimmick but this is not professional wrestling, it is not needed to be acting like this. You do not see rock stars acting like mobsters or anything like that, so why Rappers gotta act like thugs. Anybody explain this?

 

[DigitalInfamous]

Nice thread topic.

Simply because most rappers have nothing else to rap about. Not everyone can be a Eminem or Lupe Fiasco.

 

[Ty Burna]

Well I'm glad we have such an difficult question to respond to here. Let's take a look, a majority of hip hop artists grew up in the ghetto, where drug dealing, gangs, and thugs were a prevalent presence in the neighborhood. The gangs and drug dealers were the ones often with the most money, flashing cash around and that would influence the younger kids to follow in their footsteps, for the cash. Not only this but many basically made the choice to join a gang for the protection that it provided and to not be an outcast. This is how it was for my friend who grew up in the Atlanta ghetto, he had to part of the gang or get his ass kicked every day by that same gang.

While there are rappers out there that never lived that life style, a good majority that talk about the gangs and street warfare actually lived in that type of environment while growing up. While some may over exaggerate what really went down, it is about the story inside of the song. Gangsta rap originated with the likes of Ice T, and NWA. Ice-T was rapping about what was happening in the ghettos of LA, how people there lived and the struggles they went through. NWA was similar to that speaking about life in Compton.

So while some may just be "gimmicky" in regards to relating stories of gangs and drug dealing, many have brought attention to the difficult parts of the inner city. Ever since Ice-T and NWA brought attention to the poor parts of LA, the city finally took the initiative to help those in need there, and to help clean up the inner city. Gangsta rap is far more than just a way to sell records, it's a style and storytelling that correlates to what was really happening in the urban areas many hip hop artists came from.

Not every hip hop artist follows through with the Gangsta rap style, in fact it's almost a dying breed as far as the mainstream/commercial side of things. Now you have hip hop more influenced by pop and electronic dominating the charts. Even on the underground you have a plethora of backpack rappers and conscious rappers where it's about the daily life issues and more thoughtful prose rhymed over more simple beats.

Oh and one final thing, Eminem is considered Gangsta Rap, so that horrid argument was moot. He talks about killing, drugs, violence, etc. While it's not in the typical Gangsta Rap style and Eminem's own, it's still within that realm (not counting his most recent album obviously, just looking back at his first albums).

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

Well I'm glad we have such an difficult question to respond to here. Let's take a look, a majority of hip hop artists grew up in the ghetto, where drug dealing, gangs, and thugs were a prevalent presence in the neighborhood. The gangs and drug dealers were the ones often with the most money, flashing cash around and that would influence the younger kids to follow in their footsteps, for the cash. Not only this but many basically made the choice to join a gang for the protection that it provided and to not be an outcast. This is how it was for my friend who grew up in the Atlanta ghetto, he had to part of the gang or get his ass kicked every day by that same gang.

While there are rappers out there that never lived that life style, a good majority that talk about the gangs and street warfare actually lived in that type of environment while growing up. While some may over exaggerate what really went down, it is about the story inside of the song. Gangsta rap originated with the likes of Ice T, and NWA. Ice-T was rapping about what was happening in the ghettos of LA, how people there lived and the struggles they went through. NWA was similar to that speaking about life in Compton.

So while some may just be "gimmicky" in regards to relating stories of gangs and drug dealing, many have brought attention to the difficult parts of the inner city. Ever since Ice-T and NWA brought attention to the poor parts of LA, the city finally took the initiative to help those in need there, and to help clean up the inner city. Gangsta rap is far more than just a way to sell records, it's a style and storytelling that correlates to what was really happening in the urban areas many hip hop artists came from.

That is pretty much spot on. I was going to say the exact same thing in that alot of the original Gangster rappers grew up in area's where gang membershop was almost neccessary to survive, grew up with nothing and were surrounded by drug dealers, gangsters and guns. They weren't talking shit, its just the lifestyle they grew up around.

Not every hip hop artist follows through with the Gangsta rap style, in fact it's almost a dying breed as far as the mainstream/commercial side of things. Now you have hip hop more influenced by pop and electronic dominating the charts. Even on the underground you have a plethora of backpack rappers and conscious rappers where it's about the daily life issues and more thoughtful prose rhymed over more simple beats.

Agreed. In England, there is hardly any gangsta rap commercially played. I would say The Game is the only real gangsta rapper who gets any airtime, and even that isnt much. Dre still hasnt released Detox, Snoop has moved into more commerically friendly rap, and you are again right about the electronic influence in modern-day commerical rap. I much prefer gangsta rap but it just isnt the popular style of rap any more.

 

[Changstaz92]

hey i dont think is is fair, especially for a rapper like me. i dont rap about those things. here, take this song for example


sorry for double posting but how do u guys put up your youtube videos like that? i tried doing that but failed miserably and all i have is just a link with no youtube thing like all of urs -_- sorry im kinda noob to this stuff lol Dx

 

[Minnesota Connection]

Same reason rock musicians will sing about sex and drugs. It speaks to their target audience.

I find myself completely hating rap music these days and when I flip the page to yesteryear, I find all of the classics.

Tupac, Biggie, Dre, Snoop, Bone Thugs.... You had a core group of people and where are they now?

Tupac, dead. Bigge, dead. Dre is coming back but Snoop sold out. Bone Thugs are getting old and they can't seem to avoid jail either.

Today's music is utter shit. Not even exaggerating. 22 and I am already out of the loop with musicians, because I sincerely believe mainstream rap/hip hop is dead.

Whatever music they play over the air these days, that's not rap. It's something else.

 

[DigitalInfamous]

My argument was moot?

But I guess Eminem is considered "gangsta rap" to an extent
I think he's more horrorcore than anything though.

 

[Calderownz]

While it's not wrestling, it does have a lot to do with gimmick. All mainstream material has it. While rap music does perpetuate a violent aspect, at the end of the day, anyone with a sensible brain in their heads know that it's bullshit.

However, in terms of image and lyrics, it's no different than mainstream rock music, for example.

Same types of songs, same simple lyrics, same generic look and stage show. Same types of stupid little jump when they hit the fast part of a song. It'd be like basing my judgment of rock music on Good Charlotte.

Also, underground rappers are far from wannabe gangsters. Plenty are simply just lyricists who enjoy the art form.

 

[An Angry Blonde]

As most people said, most rappers actually grew up in those type of enviornments so its only natural for them to rap about it.Also Rap is generally labeled as violent, so their probably just living up to what their labeled as: Violent, sex and/or drug crazied people.

However their are rappers how ain't wannade gansters....
(Will Smith,etc.)

So yea, plus they try to hide that half of them are talentless fucks....Though Eminem, Dr.dre, and snoop dog Ain't one of them.

 

[wrestlingfan]

Depends on what type of gangsta you;re talking about. In this world there's two types of gangsta.
Pimp Gangsta-Money, Cars, Clothes, Girls
Thug Gangsta-Someone who gre wup on the streets, hustler, etc.

Most rappers today are the former. Why because its easier to make a track about making a million and having it be a hit. Right now pimp ramp is what's making money. You don't see anybody paying much attention to Eminem or Lupe Fiasco. No more people care more about Lil Wayne and Enimen. (This is on a general view from what people listen too. Not talking about everywhere) Though I will say Lil Wayne isnot real thugh. he stopped being a thug to be after I found out he has a degree in Psychology. Ghetto, yes, thug, no

However some rappers do pretend to be a thug. Its just a desire to fit in and be cool being some tough guy that shoots people. There's some such as Lupe Fiasco, Wale, and J.Cole who didnt necessarily go through the stuff in the hood but still rap about because it's something that needs to be addressed.

 

[Tech N9ne]

Look at it however you want... I think it is a case by case basis as to why a certain person portrays himself in any type of way...

As for some of the people that posted Hip Hop is dead and it's existence today is shit... You are the ones that are the problem with album sales and what not. You think Hip Hop sucks but you buy into what people are telling you is today's Hip Hop. Or what the media puts in front of your nose because you are too lazy to dig a little deeper.

Those are people that have to be told what is popular or what to like. You end up not liking Main Stream Hip Hop and you form in outrageous opinion that Hip Hop sucks today.

As I said earlier... Dig a little deeper...

Check out Slaughterhouse, as a group and individually. It is a make up of 4 veteran rappers. Crooked I, Royce Da 5'9", Joe Budden and Joell Ortiz. They have just been signed to Shady Records but have been around for YEARS!!

Also, check out guys like Tech N9ne, Gho5t, Nino Bless, Saigon, and that should lead you on the right path... That is my Hip Hop of today...

Check out the Slaughterhouse Album and THEN come back and tell me "Hip Hop is DEAD!"

 

[wrestlingfan]

Yes. Even listen to more of Wiz Khalifa's mix tapes if you don't want something too deep and not too underground. He can get serious.

 

[Post]

Same reason rock musicians will sing about sex and drugs. It speaks to their target audience.

^This is spot on. The target audience still wants it and will pay for it. I would say that the target audience for "Gansta Rap" is young males. I teach high school in an urban setting and many of these young men are enamored with the gangsta lifestyle. They dress the part, talk the part, and really believe that they are gangstas, until they get in trouble...

Drugs and violence are very common in the area where I teach...the kids go on believing that they are gangstas (I keep saying this word b/c it is making me laugh) until they in the school office or in front of a judge. Then they become sniviling infants.

I've been a fan of rap music since I was 11. There is still some great stuff out there. I love Ludacris, Eminem, Manny Fresh, and Jay Z and still listen to older albums by all of the greats.