"You don't wanna hear Mos Def, you wanna hear Rick Ross. It's your fault. Blame yourself". Goddamn C-Town, you hit the nail on the head with that one. That's the sad truth.
But.... Mos Def doesn't play on the radio. Rick Ross DOES. Why don't we just let the highly impressionable youth choose to not be influenced by negative messages that are being pumped into their ears every time the car radio turns on? Why don't we ask them to be responsible for not being influenced by negativity that ADULTS are shoving down their throats? That makes a TON OF SENSE, RIGHT??????? Jesus..
when cube said "our art imitates our reality, not the other way around" and when pac said "it aint about black or white cus we human" they were both dead on. how are we STILL in the 21st century not hearing it?
@Big Tone 541 It's not as easy as you're making it sound. Sure, there's a Harvard student, huge rapper, NFL player etc that comes out of the hood every once in a while, but it's just as often as when a guy born into wealth is a complete failure.
country music has the same problem. in the past we had guys like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson writing these really good songs about serious matters, but now all that's pushed is getting drunk and shooting guns.a
***** Johnny Cash: " A shot a man in Reno, just to watch him dieee" Willie Nelson: Whiskey River Country music had its own gangsta rap: outlaw country. A good chunk of Country's most celebrated albums and artists come from this sub-genre, including albums by Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. I agree with you on that Cash and Nel are way better than the country on the radio today, but uhhh, the subject matter hasn't exactly gotten more positive. Nelson and Cash just spoke about shit better.
whoa I was very wrong. Yeah as far as country goes I mostly just listen to the sweet love songs and I somehow managed to completely forget all of that really great outlaw music. Also you just reminded me that I don't own a copy of Live from Folsom Prison.
Oh man.... I don't think Gangsta rap is why some blacks fail in life. I think the ones who can't separate entertainment from real life are failure of people to begin with. I can get jumping into a few trends, but letting ANYTHING in the entertainment dictate your life is stupid. Not just gangsta rap.
I feel that it depends on how you're raised. I mean, I was born in the 90's and just about any black person that was born in the 90's or late 80's was raised on Gangsta Rap, so It just depends on your upbringing
The cause of crime is poverty and the frustration about poverty is the lack of equal opportunity for anyone born below the poverty line to get up in the U.S., and blacks especially. The drug laws funnel the poor to prison, our war driven economy funnels them to the front lines, the education and living conditions are the worst and then if your black, you have to deal with the cultural stigma that come with just being yourself and a system that was founding apon and fueled by ideas that were born out of white supremacy. To blame any music is a lazy ass excuse. In the Bumpy Johnson to Frank Lucas and Nicky Barnes and then Freeway Rick Ross eras, they didn't grow up on gangster rap and choose crime. The romanticized gangsters of the Prohibition era where white with two parent homes and choose crime. Rich white kids in the suburbs listen to the same music and don't. Why? Money and opportunities.
***** I think rap is so popular because it doesn't push anything on anyone, it reflects a nation and more specifically the poor in the inner cities. The fact it has been a inside look into a world mainstream America otherwise has no contact with and its refusal to water down its realities is its power. I mean if you think its backward you have to change the people. You have MC's that rap about things you may agree with, there's an element of all kinds of energy in the culture. But hip hop doesn't accelerate anything, it simply reflects what's going on, whether you or I think its good or bad.
The problem is that black people "fail at life," because we don't. The problem is that we as African Americans don't know how to work together cohesively, and in truth, nobody does. I mean, you have just as many white people who are against each other. Think about political parties. Liberals and Conservatives hate each other. That's the main problem: WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO WORK TOGETHER. Now, specifically with the black community, people are so conflicted about so many different things. Poverty in the black community is the root of gang violence, and once we can figure out how to come together to END gang violence, as well as poverty, we can look to a brighter future, but because we have people glorifying gang life and simply joining gangs BECAUSE, it won't end. Some of them are fine enough with being "hood rich." Some find gang life appealing. And then you have upper class black folks who wouldn't dare step into the poverty-ridden slums or do a single thing to help. And to be honest, there are a lot of them that simply don't want to be helped. When something bad happens, we're always quick to taking to the streets and destroying things in revolt, instead of coming together peacefully and trying to find a solution.
Good conversation. Enjoyed getting an in depth perspective from several people in the black community on this question. There are a lot more factors going on than just simply "gangsta rap is ruining lives in the black community". There is money, the trap, people from different communities buying gansta music and endorsing it, the easiest way out, the turbulent past, and people just trying to get by any means necessary. I wish black people were better to each other in the hood and not rob from each other. I though being white from the middle class and not being in it first hand can't really know what it's like so I'll leave it at that. This video shed some light on things for me though and thank you for putting this up. Sophie you are such a babe. Keep on doing what you're doing.
People (especially young people) epitomize what they see celebrities do on TV. Our brains have a natural instinct to compare ourselves and even imitate what other human beings do. I would definitely say superficial hip hop culture doesn't help black people AT ALL.
problem with most rap in general not just gangsta rap (and I listen to a lot of rap and hip hop...most to what DEHH reviewers have listened to and then some) is the fact that much of it is negative messages in the songs. That negativeness can have a negative reaction throughout my daily life especially when I listen to it a lot throughout the day. I don't see it as making black people fail in life but I don't think it uplifts them either.
Exactly, he was talking about the ratchet part. The black girls you see fighting in the streets and so on. Most black people will grab their phones and record it screaming "Worldstar!'' while they should stop that shit right away. But then again, I can't blame this part of the black community because it's basically all they know.
I could be wrong, but I think the question was poorly phrased and not intended to be interpreted as literally as it sounds. Again, maybe I'm being generous in my interpretation, but I think the question was MEANT to read something more like "Do you think the prominence and popularity of Gangsta Rap in the media does a disservice to the black community within a larger social context?" Or something like that. My guess (and hope) is that they didn't mean it as "Are black individuals generally incapable of being successful because of Gangsta Rap?"
On Mike's point about being concerned for his children: I think you and anyone in DEHH has enough understanding of the genre to teach your children about hip hop beyond gangsta rap. If you can instill the ideas in your children that it isn't all about money, drugs, and killing through other artists then you're not only teaching them about hip-hop's variety but you're also teaching them about being open and experimenting. The more open your children can be to new people/cultures then the more tolerant and empathetic or sympathetic they may be, at least from my experience.
I don't hang in the White slums! I was dying on that one/ Myke. Glad you guys took the question. Maybe in another universe the radio plays Tupac and Black Star and everyone gets along.
The person who wrote this question REALLY needed to say something like “does gangsta rap affect it’s listeners ability to succeed in life?” to make his meaning more clear
YES. Utilizing a lifestyle that endangers the well being of you or the people around you will inevitably cause you to fail in life, NO MATTER WHAT RACE YOU ARE NO MATTER WHAT SAID LIFESTYLE IS. Depending on how far you go with it and how much you let the "lifestyle" speak for your actions and beliefs without taking responsibility.
man, all of you guys are trying to belittle what i'm saying. I'm not trying to hurt anyone! So please stop acting like I am! kendrick taught me the term, so i'm attributing it to him! i'm not trying to "take credit" from Africa! if you read the definition and the origin, YOU WILL KNOW that the word comes from Ethiopia! And Kendrick says it on "i" as well!!!!! and to ninja dude, read above please.
This Is BLAVKALPHAVIBE From Twitter, Thanks Mike For Understanding my Question , Cause Just like The Comments Speak from many people , Yall Took the questions in a Totally Wrong Way. Im glad mike c cleared it up
Damn, its funny I was just thinking this yesterday. Gangsta Rap along with all rap was never meant to be negative, it was meant to be REAL. But for some reason people view what's real with what is negative nowadays. Like in order to be "real" you have to be aggressive, violent etc..Being REAL is not afraid to say or do what is important, even if it ruffles feathers. Gangsta rap today is just superficial and ignorant. It's not informative, it's just mindless. Back then Gangsta Rap still had a conscience message and was political...So YES the Gangsta rap TODAY does contribute to the fallacies in our community
I grew up in the 90's in northern cali while the gangsta rap was all over the world. I still love the sound and always will it is revolutionairy entertainment to me,
i agree with much of what was said in this vid. i think there is a difference between the gangster rap now and the gangster rap of years back. wasn't dr dre making "gangster rap" back in the day? i dont think many people would say that his music has caused people to fail in life. and he's pretty successful..
Gang warfare exists in other countries and is practiced by oppressed peoples everywhere. People that aren't black and don't listen to rap are in gangs too. In America this problem existed before hip hop. Blame poverty, not hip hop.
Personally I think KL is closer to the gangsta rappers than people would like to admit. The 'good kid' aspect of the album only comes through on a few songs and the majority could just be another rap song
People from all races and econonic backgrounds listen to gangsta rap and don't "fail" at life though. If it has so much of an impact why dosnt it affect anyone else.
"Gangsta Rap" is not the reason that black people fail in life. But it perpetuates the negative conflict that young black men have with each other. There has always been drugs and violence in our community but hip hop, IMO, told a story in the beginning. Now hip hop is about manifesting a reality. When I was growing up in the early 90's the narrative was about experiences with girls, issues with the police, family, etc. Now we have rappers talking about things they would do to YOU, things they want you to believe that they've done, and glorify it so it becomes the Mantra. But at the same time we can not blame the artist. It's systematic. Record Execs, Radio, and whoever is in control. You present a check to poor youth to make the anthem and it's done. 'Self Destruction' would get laughed at today.
The dude that had asked that taboo of a question needed to proofread his shit, I get where he's coming from, but he needed to watch out for the wording of the question. But in regards to what you guys are saying, I don't think it's the music that reflects the negative lifestyles of some people pertaining to the minority, because if you look at what surrounds the inner city context, there's things like drugs, police brutality, poor living conditions...all of these things are factors that contribute to the negative directions some black people. Not to mention, all of those factors I just mentioned was in existence even before Hip-Hop's inception. I feel that Hip-Hop is being used as a scapegoat.
Mentality is why anyone regardless of their ethnicity will either fail or succeed in life. Not "gangsta rap". Circumstances drive actions for than music. Music is supposed to be an escape from real life, not a blueprint on how to live. I'm black & I plan on being very successful just like my black parents. FOH
Yeah but it doesn't help when you have someone preaching violence along with a badass beat, think about it, if youre around or in that life style some one preaching in youre ear will influence you. That's why ppl listing to motivational speakers...ect. Gangster rap doesn't help
I grew up in northern cali in the 90's while deathrow was running shyt. And i just remember most of them songs being the coolest music I ever heard in my life!...and I still do as a 35 yr old man! And always will. It's entertainment.
Big ups to DEHH for just great content overall. This was a very good discussion. We must remember that entertainers are in the business of entertainment. As a community we MUST learn to embrace the truth as it relates to business. These folks are in business to sell records not to educate and uplift the black community. I agree with Mike. The bottom line is this is a problem of poverty. Do the research, and you will discover that ALL over the world its the same thing. Poverty=All these problems!
I grew up in Cali in the early 90's, under the gangsta rap umbrella and I love the music still to this day!. .deathrow of the 90's was and still is my fav era of music and I still listen. I don't go out and try to imitate snoop,tupac,Dr. Dre by acting like them but I'm still amazed at the "music" they created l, the production mainly, the vibe,the sound
The question was clearly, how do I put this, poorly framed. Terrible generalizations. Way too many issues. But who the heck are we kidding? So called "gansta" rap doesn't exactly help things.
Negative music feeds negativity. Regardless if the fact that if its real life for people it still causes harm. Music is probably the most efficient form of effluence for the masses.
Nope I just know how music makes me feel. Music is powerful and if I had chief keef blasting through my head phones everyday regardless of where I'm from I'd he in a different mindset. Negative plus negative equals more negative. Simple
The question was a little messed up but the debate after that was interesting. It's a conflicted thing, but in my opinion, the artist can never be fully blamed for the art that they put out into the world. The general public is what gives that art credibility. Someone like Chief Keef or Rick Ross can get blamed for perpetuating the stereotype that hip hop is about nothing but drugs and violence, but somehow the marketplace has determined that this is what sells. It's the powers that be in the ivory towers, the CEOs at the record labels and radio stations, the executive producers on MTV and VHS that have seeming deliberately pushed forth these types of hip hop artists and called them "mainstream". I know it sounds like I'm crying over spoiled milk but it's the way I see it. It's a terrible thing. I respect Chief Keef for doing his thing and making his money. I'm just glad I prefer to listen to Vic and Chance over him, that's all.
I am simply making this point to the DEHH people themselves. Don't care to get into an argument with random people on here. I think a very important point being missed is: who are the largest consumers of hip hop? Who heads the majority of record companies? These are the people who are responsible for what is popular and we are the collateral damage. Americans love violence and money. Record companies are businesses attempting to cater to the American love of violence. They choose which artists to throw their power and clout behind. They can pick and choose who is going to be popular. If they wanted to promote socially conscious artists - they could - but that isn't what is best for their bottom line. Violence and misogyny sell, so that is what is promoted. And these kids in the suburbs eat that shit up. They don't have to live with the consequences of what this type of self-destructive, self-loathing music creates. It then becomes a self replicating cycle. What is the message to young Black and Brown kids in these communities? If you want to make it, then you need to be this "gangster" image. If people more concerned about our youth and our communities could hold positions of power at the companies that make these decisions then we could potentially change the narrative, but until that day - we will be the collateral damage for another man's paycheck.
I would argue that gangsta rap isn't the reason black people fail in life but in certain areas where that type of music is prominent it normalizes failure and embraces a squalid existence with little to no order.
I think he was trying to ask if the influence of gangsta rap has a degenerative effect on black culture. I don't think he was attacking black people in general, its just that gangsta rap is a very popular sub-genre of music in the black community, and thus influential. Gangsta rap does cover violence, drugs and crime but as Feefo alluded to, its also about business and taking responsibility. Being responsible is an important message and I think good gangsta rappers like Kendrick Lamar and Biggie Smalls before him convey that.
Mike did you just say that they don't talk about murder in metal? I am a black man that listens to metal (most genres) and maybe its just the artists I listen to but they talk about murder (mostly Christians), necrophilia, cannibalism, rape and drug use. Check Cannibal Corpse, Immolation and numerous others. Hell they talked about drug use in punk and rock also. I just wanted to check you on that statement bruh!
I don't think you have to approve of violence to rap about violent things. I think that its perfectly okay for an artist to try and put his/her self into the shoes of somebody who leads a different life, one in which violent/depraved stuff is more accepted or more common place. It allows us to try and understand one another. The thing about communicating violence/depravity with hip hop is that the genre is all about the flow and the beat, and so its a bit harder to fall back on jarring chords and discomforting noises (like you can in rock, heavy metal, classical, harsh noise) because shit like that disrupts the flow. There isn't obviously violent about jazz samples, gospel choirs, smooth flows, etc. You could make an argument that Turntablism is inherently violent (because scratching the record damages the record) but I don't really think that's valid. My point is its much harder for good Hip Hop to sound violent from a tonal aesthetic point of view. That said, I think artists such as Death Grips and Danny Brown have managed to make their music sound violent, without compromising the elements of hip hop that make it enjoyable.
good conversation but at the end of the day, gangsta rap does influence SOME blacks to act on violent things such as trap or drill music, and there's a system behind that
I think the materialistic rappers that only rap about cars, women, money, and drugs have a more negative influence on youth than gangsta rap. That's whats dumbing people down. Rappers like Wu-Tang, Biggie, Immortal Technique, and NWA actually had messages in their music. Most of this shit today can't hold a candle to it.
People preach about self-accountability all the time except for when it comes to music. You weak-minded if some damn music makes you fail at life. Many people listen to the same genre yet turn out just fine. FOH!
Myke really seems like he's going so hard against the idea that kanye's actions don't have a bigger meaning that he's going out of his way to discredit him instead of making an effort.
Really? Because I didn't like the video? And I'm the only one that didn't like the video, huh? It's all a part of my campaign to get the world to gang up on Kanye. Because I didn't like Yeezus or his Bound 2 video. And you just put the world on to my plan. Goddamn, you, John Pollard. I woudla got away with it, too, if it weren't for you and your pink kitty cat.
Not because you don't like the video but because usually I expect you to have an alternative view on things. Usually it seems like you have a different criteria for what you like then the rest of the guys ex. death grips.
So when this video came out I'd expect the guy who looks at a broad criteria to figure it out but It doesn't seem like you make that effort with this. Also its hello kitty.
john pollard I'm still missing your point. I didn't analyze Kanye's video in this video. All I said in this was that the video was horrible. No one asked about a greater meaning. So how do you know I didn't "figure it out?" The fact is that I heard what Kanye said about why he made this shitty video and it doesn't matter to me in the least bit. I still didn't like it. I think it was just a lame excuse to show off Kim's body. He can mask that in any artistic idea he wants. At the end of the day, I still don't like the video. So I'm not going out of my way to discredit Kanye. That's beyond silly. I was asked a question and I answered it. I'm not gonna stand behind every single shitty decision he makes and hide behind the idea of "defending art." Lastly, I know who Hello Kitty is. Like my comments in the video, it looks like you missed this one, too.
So you understand that he's trying to change race culture in America without the people watching it realizing it? And that this is why he made the video look like a trashy cheesefest. I think if you're going to have a fair conversation about a rapper's work you should look at all angles that the work has merit. And you weren't asked if you liked it you just started mocking it, these conversations are more interesting if you present broader information to make the issue more complex, which you were able to do in the gangster rap convo. It's fair enough if you don't like it still but at least acknowledge it before you marginalize his work. Last but not least you're saying that gangster rap isn't helping black people get out of the cycle but when Kanye tries to change race culture in hip hop and in America to break that cycle you laugh at him and act like his work is a sleazefest.
I understand rapping making gang shit sounding cool to get out of that life, but beyond that everyone should probably stop. Or if they're talking about it, it shouldn't be with a tone that makes it sound cool.
Listen to ScHoolboy Q's Blank Face LP or Habits and Contradictions - on both projects for every amped up gangster song there's a song about grief of regret or self loathing because of that life - I mean ScHoolboy Q has the song Sacrilegious and Raymond 1969 on the same album, people are out here giving the full story
i dont think we fail in life i think it is because some of us have not achieved much and rap has nothing to do with it some people just dont do good and sometimes its because of our skin color and others because of our history there is more than just rap to do with it rap is just a type of music that most of us like or a part of our race likes.
You know you have really said something that was way off when Myke makes the face he makes at 3:13. I have NEVER seen him make that face before, wow...just wow.
From an objective point of view, most of Gangsta Rap boils down to inventive descriptions of murdering young black males and objectifying young black females so... make of that what you will. Gangsta Rap did used to be more conscious, with the likes of Ice Cube or Kam giving compelling socio-economic critiques of their environment and in those cases there was little to no glorification (Alive on Arrival), which is however prevalent in all eras of Gangsta Rap. It's still dope music though despite the subject matter. Look at albums by Slayer (Reign in Blood, Hell Awaits), which is pure ultraviolent, demonic content, but is still amazing to listen to. The audience needs the appropriate education and (maybe not a necessity but would help) diverse music taste in order to have a detached mindset when listening to such provocative music.
People pay to watch violent movies, play violent video games, listen to violent movies, people to pay to watch people beat each other up, we as humans love violence, or are intrigued and stimulated by it, so that would never go away you can't censor that part of life as for the failure, life is not fair you have to find a way out, of the situation you don't like it takes work and if it's not a person who's blocking your path, it's the weather. All in all viewer discretion is advised
I respect your guys opinions but I don't think gangsta rap has anything to do with the violence in black neighborhoods because I saw an interview where Kendrick said that gangsta rap had no influence on him because he saw the violence b4 he started listening to it in the music. Ice cube also stated it gave people a way out of the hood by picking up a Mic instead of gun. As a kid from New Zealand living in a safe neighborhood gangsta rap had no influence on me because hearing about shootouts with rival gangs and drug deals gone wrong put me off living that kind of lifestyle. When it comes to conscious rap and gangsta rap I think they compliment one another for example gangsta rap shows day to day life in the hood with gang banging, drug slanging, betrayals, shootouts and police chases which show how crazy it can get. Whilst conscious rap shows the pitfalls such as mothers raising kids on there own, homies being killed or arrested, lack of job opportunities (because of lack of funding in schools.)leading them to turn crime, drug addiction and etc.
Black people lifestyles though are usually failed lifestyles. Why you all attacking him. They set a real good example by attacking him instead of just saying reword you're question sir.
Y'all should change were you place the logo on the screen. It's constantly covering people's faces when they're talking. Put it in the lower half of the screen instead.
"You don't wanna hear Mos Def, you wanna hear Rick Ross. It's your fault. Blame yourself".
Goddamn C-Town, you hit the nail on the head with that one. That's the sad truth.
But.... Mos Def doesn't play on the radio. Rick Ross DOES. Why don't we just let the highly impressionable youth choose to not be influenced by negative messages that are being pumped into their ears every time the car radio turns on? Why don't we ask them to be responsible for not being influenced by negativity that ADULTS are shoving down their throats? That makes a TON OF SENSE, RIGHT??????? Jesus..
"You Dont wanna Hear Mos Def , You wanna hear Rick Ross" - Best Sentence ever
when cube said "our art imitates our reality, not the other way around" and when pac said "it aint about black or white cus we human"
they were both dead on. how are we STILL in the 21st century not hearing it?
"Black people are more like criminals and white people are intelligent and successful"
You said it buddy, not me ;)
Andrew Marshall A person is a product of his or her environment. That's all it all really comes down to.
@Big Tone 541 It's not as easy as you're making it sound. Sure, there's a Harvard student, huge rapper, NFL player etc that comes out of the hood every once in a while, but it's just as often as when a guy born into wealth is a complete failure.
"Damn man, what the fuck is in that cup?" Lmfaoo.
Kinge's face when Feefo talks about the definition of gangsta is priceless!! 4:11
Lmao! Myke's face when asked the question! 😂
Somebody gotta Gif Kinge's reaction to the question lmao. That shyt was priceless
should gif the entire thing, the pan across to Myke's face and everything.
Gangster rap is why black people still have FAITH in life
I cant believe how pretty these two women are .... lord have mercy raq is so bubbly
Myke C-Town: effortlessly pulling off double denim.
country music has the same problem. in the past we had guys like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson writing these really good songs about serious matters, but now all that's pushed is getting drunk and shooting guns.a
***** Johnny Cash: " A shot a man in Reno, just to watch him dieee"
Willie Nelson: Whiskey River
Country music had its own gangsta rap: outlaw country. A good chunk of Country's most celebrated albums and artists come from this sub-genre, including albums by Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. I agree with you on that Cash and Nel are way better than the country on the radio today, but uhhh, the subject matter hasn't exactly gotten more positive. Nelson and Cash just spoke about shit better.
whoa I was very wrong. Yeah as far as country goes I mostly just listen to the sweet love songs and I somehow managed to completely forget all of that really great outlaw music. Also you just reminded me that I don't own a copy of Live from Folsom Prison.
Oh man....
I don't think Gangsta rap is why some blacks fail in life. I think the ones who can't separate entertainment from real life are failure of people to begin with. I can get jumping into a few trends, but letting ANYTHING in the entertainment dictate your life is stupid. Not just gangsta rap.
gangsta rap made me do it ;)
It's always been "entertainment " at the end of the day for me.
Feefo been kicking that knowledge lately
I don't think the question was worded properly, but you guys did a good job discussing it
Feefo hit that truth with the Love Sosa SaveMoney comparison. Rod picked up the Solo cup to see what he was on lol
It's funny re-watching this and then Slim Jesus came and went.
I feel that it depends on how you're raised. I mean, I was born in the 90's and just about any black person that was born in the 90's or late 80's was raised on Gangsta Rap, so It just depends on your upbringing
Words mean things and that's incredibly important. People need to understand this smh
yes that's y I study words & improve my vocab
i had to double check the title of the video again , i almost didn't believe it lmaoo
The cause of crime is poverty and the frustration about poverty is the lack of equal opportunity for anyone born below the poverty line to get up in the U.S., and blacks especially. The drug laws funnel the poor to prison, our war driven economy funnels them to the front lines, the education and living conditions are the worst and then if your black, you have to deal with the cultural stigma that come with just being yourself and a system that was founding apon and fueled by ideas that were born out of white supremacy. To blame any music is a lazy ass excuse. In the Bumpy Johnson to Frank Lucas and Nicky Barnes and then Freeway Rick Ross eras, they didn't grow up on gangster rap and choose crime. The romanticized gangsters of the Prohibition era where white with two parent homes and choose crime. Rich white kids in the suburbs listen to the same music and don't. Why? Money and opportunities.
***** I think rap is so popular because it doesn't push anything on anyone, it reflects a nation and more specifically the poor in the inner cities. The fact it has been a inside look into a world mainstream America otherwise has no contact with and its refusal to water down its realities is its power. I mean if you think its backward you have to change the people. You have MC's that rap about things you may agree with, there's an element of all kinds of energy in the culture. But hip hop doesn't accelerate anything, it simply reflects what's going on, whether you or I think its good or bad.
2 fine girls are better than 1
Amen to that brother lol
Art ≠ Experience, but Experience = Art.
The problem is that black people "fail at life," because we don't. The problem is that we as African Americans don't know how to work together cohesively, and in truth, nobody does. I mean, you have just as many white people who are against each other. Think about political parties. Liberals and Conservatives hate each other. That's the main problem: WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO WORK TOGETHER.
Now, specifically with the black community, people are so conflicted about so many different things. Poverty in the black community is the root of gang violence, and once we can figure out how to come together to END gang violence, as well as poverty, we can look to a brighter future, but because we have people glorifying gang life and simply joining gangs BECAUSE, it won't end. Some of them are fine enough with being "hood rich." Some find gang life appealing. And then you have upper class black folks who wouldn't dare step into the poverty-ridden slums or do a single thing to help. And to be honest, there are a lot of them that simply don't want to be helped. When something bad happens, we're always quick to taking to the streets and destroying things in revolt, instead of coming together peacefully and trying to find a solution.
Good conversation. Enjoyed getting an in depth perspective from several people in the black community on this question. There are a lot more factors going on than just simply "gangsta rap is ruining lives in the black community". There is money, the trap, people from different communities buying gansta music and endorsing it, the easiest way out, the turbulent past, and people just trying to get by any means necessary. I wish black people were better to each other in the hood and not rob from each other. I though being white from the middle class and not being in it first hand can't really know what it's like so I'll leave it at that. This video shed some light on things for me though and thank you for putting this up. Sophie you are such a babe. Keep on doing what you're doing.
People (especially young people) epitomize what they see celebrities do on TV. Our brains have a natural instinct to compare ourselves and even imitate what other human beings do. I would definitely say superficial hip hop culture doesn't help black people AT ALL.
problem with most rap in general not just gangsta rap (and I listen to a lot of rap and hip hop...most to what DEHH reviewers have listened to and then some) is the fact that much of it is negative messages in the songs. That negativeness can have a negative reaction throughout my daily life especially when I listen to it a lot throughout the day. I don't see it as making black people fail in life but I don't think it uplifts them either.
I don't think he mean black people in general, but those - of the black - who... fail in life. But I agree with you guys.
Exactly, he was talking about the ratchet part. The black girls you see fighting in the streets and so on.
Most black people will grab their phones and record it screaming "Worldstar!'' while they should stop that shit right away.
But then again, I can't blame this part of the black community because it's basically all they know.
I could be wrong, but I think the question was poorly phrased and not intended to be interpreted as literally as it sounds.
Again, maybe I'm being generous in my interpretation, but I think the question was MEANT to read something more like "Do you think the prominence and popularity of Gangsta Rap in the media does a disservice to the black community within a larger social context?"
Or something like that. My guess (and hope) is that they didn't mean it as "Are black individuals generally incapable of being successful because of Gangsta Rap?"
Two beautiful black sistahs i love it and that question was dumb as hell.
On Mike's point about being concerned for his children: I think you and anyone in DEHH has enough understanding of the genre to teach your children about hip hop beyond gangsta rap. If you can instill the ideas in your children that it isn't all about money, drugs, and killing through other artists then you're not only teaching them about hip-hop's variety but you're also teaching them about being open and experimenting. The more open your children can be to new people/cultures then the more tolerant and empathetic or sympathetic they may be, at least from my experience.
I don't hang in the White slums!
I was dying on that one/ Myke. Glad you guys took the question.
Maybe in another universe the radio plays Tupac and Black Star
and everyone gets along.
the question is actually from clayton bigsby
The person who wrote this question REALLY needed to say something like “does gangsta rap affect it’s listeners ability to succeed in life?” to make his meaning more clear
I love this group man.. so truthful.
i love yall took the question this way XD great vid
Ken going off is always fun to watch
Loved the content of this topic you all put out into the discussion. This is coming from the Chi!
YES. Utilizing a lifestyle that endangers the well being of you or the people around you will inevitably cause you to fail in life, NO MATTER WHAT RACE YOU ARE NO MATTER WHAT SAID LIFESTYLE IS. Depending on how far you go with it and how much you let the "lifestyle" speak for your actions and beliefs without taking responsibility.
Lol at King's reaction. Feefo was definitely on it in this video.
The Zulu Kinge became UNLEASHED!!!!
LMAO!!!
I would say it's a symptom with culture influencing media. but then again, media also influences culture so it goes both ways.
+HumbleFishStix Art imitates life and vice versa.
"every negus is a star" - boris gardiner
"no black person is ugly" - lil b
i'm not allowed to use that word, so i used the wonderful kdot alternative :)
ProsecutorGodot It isn't the K.Dot alternative doe. It's the Amharic word for King/Prince/Royalty.
man, all of you guys are trying to belittle what i'm saying. I'm not trying to hurt anyone! So please stop acting like I am! kendrick taught me the term, so i'm attributing it to him! i'm not trying to "take credit" from Africa! if you read the definition and the origin, YOU WILL KNOW that the word comes from Ethiopia!
And Kendrick says it on "i" as well!!!!! and to ninja dude, read above please.
+ProsecutorGodot shout outs to you cuz u inspired me to play all the aa games again lol
This Is BLAVKALPHAVIBE From Twitter, Thanks Mike For Understanding my Question , Cause Just like The Comments Speak from many people , Yall Took the questions in a Totally Wrong Way. Im glad mike c cleared it up
I love these conversations
Damn, its funny I was just thinking this yesterday. Gangsta Rap along with all rap was never meant to be negative, it was meant to be REAL. But for some reason people view what's real with what is negative nowadays. Like in order to be "real" you have to be aggressive, violent etc..Being REAL is not afraid to say or do what is important, even if it ruffles feathers. Gangsta rap today is just superficial and ignorant. It's not informative, it's just mindless. Back then Gangsta Rap still had a conscience message and was political...So YES the Gangsta rap TODAY does contribute to the fallacies in our community
I grew up in the 90's in northern cali while the gangsta rap was all over the world. I still love the sound and always will it is revolutionairy entertainment to me,
I fucking love these discussions. Kinge was feeling some type of way with that question...
Yea I did. I feel better now.
This was incredibly, frank, self reflective and police. Excellent video.
i agree with much of what was said in this vid. i think there is a difference between the gangster rap now and the gangster rap of years back. wasn't dr dre making "gangster rap" back in the day? i dont think many people would say that his music has caused people to fail in life. and he's pretty successful..
Visiting this 8 years later well they are killing each other now
Gang warfare exists in other countries and is practiced by oppressed peoples everywhere. People that aren't black and don't listen to rap are in gangs too. In America this problem existed before hip hop. Blame poverty, not hip hop.
ridiculous question but great conversation
I thought Beezy's contribution to this discussion was very insightful.
Personally I think KL is closer to the gangsta rappers than people would like to admit. The 'good kid' aspect of the album only comes through on a few songs and the majority could just be another rap song
People from all races and econonic backgrounds listen to gangsta rap and don't "fail" at life though. If it has so much of an impact why dosnt it affect anyone else.
"Gangsta Rap" is not the reason that black people fail in life. But it perpetuates the negative conflict that young black men have with each other. There has always been drugs and violence in our community but hip hop, IMO, told a story in the beginning. Now hip hop is about manifesting a reality. When I was growing up in the early 90's the narrative was about experiences with girls, issues with the police, family, etc. Now we have rappers talking about things they would do to YOU, things they want you to believe that they've done, and glorify it so it becomes the Mantra. But at the same time we can not blame the artist. It's systematic. Record Execs, Radio, and whoever is in control. You present a check to poor youth to make the anthem and it's done. 'Self Destruction' would get laughed at today.
I really miss these dehh conversations
The dude that had asked that taboo of a question needed to proofread his shit, I get where he's coming from, but he needed to watch out for the wording of the question. But in regards to what you guys are saying, I don't think it's the music that reflects the negative lifestyles of some people pertaining to the minority, because if you look at what surrounds the inner city context, there's things like drugs, police brutality, poor living conditions...all of these things are factors that contribute to the negative directions some black people. Not to mention, all of those factors I just mentioned was in existence even before Hip-Hop's inception. I feel that Hip-Hop is being used as a scapegoat.
Mentality is why anyone regardless of their ethnicity will either fail or succeed in life. Not "gangsta rap". Circumstances drive actions for than music. Music is supposed to be an escape from real life, not a blueprint on how to live. I'm black & I plan on being very successful just like my black parents. FOH
Yeah but it doesn't help when you have someone preaching violence along with a badass beat, think about it, if youre around or in that life style some one preaching in youre ear will influence you. That's why ppl listing to motivational speakers...ect. Gangster rap doesn't help
I grew up in northern cali in the 90's while deathrow was running shyt. And i just remember most of them songs being the coolest music I ever heard in my life!...and I still do as a 35 yr old man! And always will. It's entertainment.
Big ups to DEHH for just great content overall. This was a very good discussion. We must remember that entertainers are in the business of entertainment. As a community we MUST learn to embrace the truth as it relates to business. These folks are in business to sell records not to educate and uplift the black community. I agree with Mike. The bottom line is this is a problem of poverty. Do the research, and you will discover that ALL over the world its the same thing. Poverty=All these problems!
I'm with kinge on this 1. Ask Sway, he has the answers.
If you put bad food into your body and avoid exercise, your body will be weak and flabby and sick. What if you do the same to your mind and spirit?
The key is avoiding exercise, eat a donut and run, listen to party music and listen to meaningful stuff
Food isn’t entertainment. Music is.
@@Joela393 Both food and music can be consumed carelessly.
I grew up in Cali in the early 90's, under the gangsta rap umbrella and I love the music still to this day!. .deathrow of the 90's was and still is my fav era of music and I still listen. I don't go out and try to imitate snoop,tupac,Dr. Dre by acting like them but I'm still amazed at the "music" they created l, the production mainly, the vibe,the sound
The question was clearly, how do I put this, poorly framed. Terrible generalizations. Way too many issues. But who the heck are we kidding? So called "gansta" rap doesn't exactly help things.
Negative music feeds negativity. Regardless if the fact that if its real life for people it still causes harm. Music is probably the most efficient form of effluence for the masses.
People who think like this gotta have it damn good in their lives if you don't get feeling down on the world
Nope I just know how music makes me feel. Music is powerful and if I had chief keef blasting through my head phones everyday regardless of where I'm from I'd he in a different mindset. Negative plus negative equals more negative. Simple
Thats the truth, Thanks for an honest answer..So rare these days..
mlking213 yeah but u most likely won't do anything..but when u already.live that life it's different
The question was a little messed up but the debate after that was interesting. It's a conflicted thing, but in my opinion, the artist can never be fully blamed for the art that they put out into the world. The general public is what gives that art credibility. Someone like Chief Keef or Rick Ross can get blamed for perpetuating the stereotype that hip hop is about nothing but drugs and violence, but somehow the marketplace has determined that this is what sells. It's the powers that be in the ivory towers, the CEOs at the record labels and radio stations, the executive producers on MTV and VHS that have seeming deliberately pushed forth these types of hip hop artists and called them "mainstream". I know it sounds like I'm crying over spoiled milk but it's the way I see it. It's a terrible thing. I respect Chief Keef for doing his thing and making his money. I'm just glad I prefer to listen to Vic and Chance over him, that's all.
I am simply making this point to the DEHH people themselves. Don't care to get into an argument with random people on here.
I think a very important point being missed is: who are the largest consumers of hip hop? Who heads the majority of record companies? These are the people who are responsible for what is popular and we are the collateral damage. Americans love violence and money. Record companies are businesses attempting to cater to the American love of violence. They choose which artists to throw their power and clout behind. They can pick and choose who is going to be popular.
If they wanted to promote socially conscious artists - they could - but that isn't what is best for their bottom line. Violence and misogyny sell, so that is what is promoted. And these kids in the suburbs eat that shit up. They don't have to live with the consequences of what this type of self-destructive, self-loathing music creates.
It then becomes a self replicating cycle. What is the message to young Black and Brown kids in these communities? If you want to make it, then you need to be this "gangster" image. If people more concerned about our youth and our communities could hold positions of power at the companies that make these decisions then we could potentially change the narrative, but until that day - we will be the collateral damage for another man's paycheck.
12:37 KINGE! Don't be laughin at Feefo's studder! lol
I would argue that gangsta rap isn't the reason black people fail in life but in certain areas where that type of music is prominent it normalizes failure and embraces a squalid existence with little to no order.
I think he was trying to ask if the influence of gangsta rap has a degenerative effect on black culture. I don't think he was attacking black people in general, its just that gangsta rap is a very popular sub-genre of music in the black community, and thus influential. Gangsta rap does cover violence, drugs and crime but as Feefo alluded to, its also about business and taking responsibility. Being responsible is an important message and I think good gangsta rappers like Kendrick Lamar and Biggie Smalls before him convey that.
Mykes reaction to the question lmfao!!
Mike did you just say that they don't talk about murder in metal? I am a black man that listens to metal (most genres) and maybe its just the artists I listen to but they talk about murder (mostly Christians), necrophilia, cannibalism, rape and drug use. Check Cannibal Corpse, Immolation and numerous others. Hell they talked about drug use in punk and rock also. I just wanted to check you on that statement bruh!
Uncle Ruckus reference!!! yes!!!!!
Sophie is cute af
she more than cute
#HeyBoo
I'm like 99% sure the guy who asked the question was trolling, but at least some interesting conversation still occurred.
I guess a better way to ask the question would be: Does gangsta rap help the black community? Is it a positive influence on black youth?
I don't think you have to approve of violence to rap about violent things. I think that its perfectly okay for an artist to try and put his/her self into the shoes of somebody who leads a different life, one in which violent/depraved stuff is more accepted or more common place. It allows us to try and understand one another. The thing about communicating violence/depravity with hip hop is that the genre is all about the flow and the beat, and so its a bit harder to fall back on jarring chords and discomforting noises (like you can in rock, heavy metal, classical, harsh noise) because shit like that disrupts the flow. There isn't obviously violent about jazz samples, gospel choirs, smooth flows, etc. You could make an argument that Turntablism is inherently violent (because scratching the record damages the record) but I don't really think that's valid. My point is its much harder for good Hip Hop to sound violent from a tonal aesthetic point of view. That said, I think artists such as Death Grips and Danny Brown have managed to make their music sound violent, without compromising the elements of hip hop that make it enjoyable.
That first question cracked me up.
good conversation but at the end of the day, gangsta rap does influence SOME blacks to act on violent things such as trap or drill music, and there's a system behind that
So do a trillion other factors in life. Life is multifaceted, believe it or not.
Pappy Drewitt but the subject is clearly gangsta rap
Great video. Interesting question. Keep them coming. Raquel HAF!! (Thirst level 100000000000000)
I think the materialistic rappers that only rap about cars, women, money, and drugs have a more negative influence on youth than gangsta rap. That's whats dumbing people down. Rappers like Wu-Tang, Biggie, Immortal Technique, and NWA actually had messages in their music. Most of this shit today can't hold a candle to it.
People preach about self-accountability all the time except for when it comes to music. You weak-minded if some damn music makes you fail at life. Many people listen to the same genre yet turn out just fine. FOH!
Raq is so cute
Myke really seems like he's going so hard against the idea that kanye's actions don't have a bigger meaning that he's going out of his way to discredit him instead of making an effort.
Really? Because I didn't like the video? And I'm the only one that didn't like the video, huh? It's all a part of my campaign to get the world to gang up on Kanye. Because I didn't like Yeezus or his Bound 2 video. And you just put the world on to my plan. Goddamn, you, John Pollard. I woudla got away with it, too, if it weren't for you and your pink kitty cat.
Not because you don't like the video but because usually I expect you to have an alternative view on things. Usually it seems like you have a different criteria for what you like then the rest of the guys ex. death grips.
So when this video came out I'd expect the guy who looks at a broad criteria to figure it out but It doesn't seem like you make that effort with this. Also its hello kitty.
john pollard I'm still missing your point. I didn't analyze Kanye's video in this video. All I said in this was that the video was horrible. No one asked about a greater meaning. So how do you know I didn't "figure it out?" The fact is that I heard what Kanye said about why he made this shitty video and it doesn't matter to me in the least bit. I still didn't like it. I think it was just a lame excuse to show off Kim's body. He can mask that in any artistic idea he wants. At the end of the day, I still don't like the video. So I'm not going out of my way to discredit Kanye. That's beyond silly. I was asked a question and I answered it. I'm not gonna stand behind every single shitty decision he makes and hide behind the idea of "defending art." Lastly, I know who Hello Kitty is. Like my comments in the video, it looks like you missed this one, too.
So you understand that he's trying to change race culture in America without the people watching it realizing it? And that this is why he made the video look like a trashy cheesefest. I think if you're going to have a fair conversation about a rapper's work you should look at all angles that the work has merit. And you weren't asked if you liked it you just started mocking it, these conversations are more interesting if you present broader information to make the issue more complex, which you were able to do in the gangster rap convo. It's fair enough if you don't like it still but at least acknowledge it before you marginalize his work. Last but not least you're saying that gangster rap isn't helping black people get out of the cycle but when Kanye tries to change race culture in hip hop and in America to break that cycle you laugh at him and act like his work is a sleazefest.
What's with how Sophie is acting on this?
are suggesting she is under the influence lol
Review Hopsin's Knock Madness
Im convinced that B is high constantly
I understand rapping making gang shit sounding cool to get out of that life, but beyond that everyone should probably stop. Or if they're talking about it, it shouldn't be with a tone that makes it sound cool.
Listen to ScHoolboy Q's Blank Face LP or Habits and Contradictions - on both projects for every amped up gangster song there's a song about grief of regret or self loathing because of that life - I mean ScHoolboy Q has the song Sacrilegious and Raymond 1969 on the same album, people are out here giving the full story
the intro has a casting couch vibe lmao
i dont think we fail in life i think it is because some of us have not achieved much and rap has nothing to do with it some people just dont do good and sometimes its because of our skin color and others because of our history there is more than just rap to do with it rap is just a type of music that most of us like or a part of our race likes.
You know you have really said something that was way off when Myke makes the face he makes at 3:13. I have NEVER seen him make that face before, wow...just wow.
Review Knock Madness
that "what the fuck" reaction was priceless
From an objective point of view, most of Gangsta Rap boils down to inventive descriptions of murdering young black males and objectifying young black females so... make of that what you will. Gangsta Rap did used to be more conscious, with the likes of Ice Cube or Kam giving compelling socio-economic critiques of their environment and in those cases there was little to no glorification (Alive on Arrival), which is however prevalent in all eras of Gangsta Rap. It's still dope music though despite the subject matter. Look at albums by Slayer (Reign in Blood, Hell Awaits), which is pure ultraviolent, demonic content, but is still amazing to listen to. The audience needs the appropriate education and (maybe not a necessity but would help) diverse music taste in order to have a detached mindset when listening to such provocative music.
People pay to watch violent movies, play violent video games, listen to violent movies, people to pay to watch people beat each other up, we as humans love violence, or are intrigued and stimulated by it, so that would never go away you can't censor that part of life as for the failure, life is not fair you have to find a way out, of the situation you don't like it takes work and if it's not a person who's blocking your path, it's the weather. All in all viewer discretion is advised
I respect your guys opinions but I don't think gangsta rap has anything to do with the violence in black neighborhoods because I saw an interview where Kendrick said that gangsta rap had no influence on him because he saw the violence b4 he started listening to it in the music. Ice cube also stated it gave people a way out of the hood by picking up a Mic instead of gun. As a kid from New Zealand living in a safe neighborhood gangsta rap had no influence on me because hearing about shootouts with rival gangs and drug deals gone wrong put me off living that kind of lifestyle. When it comes to conscious rap and gangsta rap I think they compliment one another for example gangsta rap shows day to day life in the hood with gang banging, drug slanging, betrayals, shootouts and police chases which show how crazy it can get. Whilst conscious rap shows the pitfalls such as mothers raising kids on there own, homies being killed or arrested, lack of job opportunities (because of lack of funding in schools.)leading them to turn crime, drug addiction and etc.
Where the Knock Madness review?
Black people lifestyles though are usually failed lifestyles. Why you all attacking him. They set a real good example by attacking him instead of just saying reword you're question sir.
Mike's face when the question was asked! I'm done!
Y'all should change were you place the logo on the screen. It's constantly covering people's faces when they're talking. Put it in the lower half of the screen instead.
Ironically the artists who are sensationalizing violence and drugs are having HORRIBLE album sales compared to other rappers who aren't.
this is the topic ya'll chose to discuss...