Eine Übersicht über die Entwicklung der Subkultur und Musikrichtung "Gangsta Rap" welche in den nordamerikanischen Ghettos der Siebziger und Achtziger Jahre entstand.
Table of Contents
1. “Gangsta Rap” – The Move From Inner City Slums to Profitable Entertainment
Objectives and Topics
This document examines the evolution of "gangsta rap" from an authentic subcultural expression of life in underprivileged urban areas into a highly commercialized global industry that heavily relies on carefully constructed "gangster" imagery for financial success.
- The historical development and socio-economic origins of gangsta rap in the 1980s.
- The link between systemic inner-city issues, drug epidemics, and the rise of violent lyrical content.
- The transformation of "street credibility" into a calculated marketing strategy.
- The role of media perception and consumer appetite in shaping the genre's growth.
- Case studies of commercialization and the distinction between authentic experiences and manufactured images.
Excerpt from the Book
“Gangsta Rap” – The Move From Inner City Slums to Profitable Entertainment
In the mid-1980s, a subgenre of a style of music, hitherto called “Rap,” caught attention. It was recognized by many people and by the media in the year 1986, when “Shooly D,” an artist out of Philadelphia released his single “PSK.” Simultaneously, Ice T from Los Angeles released “Six in the Morning.” This musical subgenre of a culture, which earlier followed a more poetic or funky, “party-oriented direction,” now began to change the content of its lyrics. Artists began to speak directly about violent acts and about the business of drugs. However, this was not enough. For critics such as Tipper Gore, the Reverend Al Sharpton, or the Reverend Jesse Jackson, far worse was yet to come because artists began to achieve huge commercial success with the music.
They were not only the pioneers of a style of “rap music,” later defined as “gangsta rap”; they also encouraged a lot of other artists to do so. After Ice T released his 1987 album Rhyme Pays, on which he created the still currently used “pimp style,” a lot of artists came up with similar content. Boogie Down Productions and NWA released their widely recognized records, and “gangsta rap” established itself as a serious part of the music industry. The main themes of these 1980´s lyrics were and continue today in 2010 (almost 20 years later) to be, violence, drug dealing, profanity, sex, homophobia, racism, promiscuity, misogyny, rape, street gangs, drive-by shootings, vandalism, thievery, alcohol abuse, substance abuse and capitalistic materialism. The album called The Chronic by NWA member Dr. Dre, who went on a solo path then, was a massive seller in 1992. It went triple platinum in the United States and in this way, showed the whole world how much commercial appeal was held by “gangsta rap.”
Summary of Chapters
1. “Gangsta Rap” – The Move From Inner City Slums to Profitable Entertainment: This chapter traces the emergence of gangsta rap as a subgenre in the 1980s, analyzing its themes, social roots in the ghetto, and its eventual transition into a dominant, commercially driven force in the music industry.
Keywords
Gangsta Rap, Hip Hop, Music Industry, Commercialization, Ghetto, Drug Epidemic, Street Credibility, Marketing, Lyrics, Subculture, Violence, Authenticity, Media, Racism, Stereotypes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work focuses on the historical and commercial evolution of the "gangsta rap" music subgenre, exploring how it transitioned from authentic neighborhood storytelling into a calculated, profitable entertainment commodity.
What are the central themes explored?
The central themes include the impact of urban drug cultures on music lyrics, the role of "street credibility" as a marketing tool, the influence of middle-class consumer demand, and the tension between "real" versus "fake" personas within the hip hop community.
What is the core research objective?
The objective is to explain how a subculture born out of the socio-economic struggles of the 1960s and 1980s became a global symbol of excess and violence that is now a mainstay in modern media and fashion.
What methodology is utilized?
The author utilizes a descriptive and historical analytical approach, drawing on academic literature, music industry trends, and media analysis to map the trajectory of the genre.
What is discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the specific historical timeline starting from the 1960s, the rise of drug epidemics in ghettos, the commercial exploitation of artists by managers, and the specific cases of how artists like 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and Massiv utilize public image to drive record sales.
Which keywords best describe the content?
Key terms include Gangsta Rap, Commercialization, Ghetto, Street Credibility, Authenticity, and Music Industry.
How does the author define the relationship between "realness" and commercial success?
The author argues that while "street credibility" is essential for a rapper's initial legitimacy, it has evolved into a strategic performance where rumors and criminal associations are carefully cultivated to increase album sales.
What role did the media play in the development of gangsta rap?
The media acted both as a critic of the genre's violent content and as a catalyst for its popularity, as the ensuing controversy often provided free publicity that contributed to the commercial success of the artists involved.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Timo Dersch (Autor:in), 2010, “Gangsta Rap” – The Move From Inner City Slums to Profitable Entertainment, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/160707
