Gangsta Rap should be outlawed.

[Carera]

Gangsta Rap should be outlawed! It contributes nothing to society except helping kids become violent criminals. We do not want to see these "artists" perform. In fact, we do not want to see them at all -- anywhere, anytime! Everyone who does it should go to prison. Do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars. Here where I live, every other teenager is imitating a "rap artist." They have jeans down to their knees, wear XXXL shirts, sell drugs, and generally behave like idiots. They can't put a sentence together. N***a this, n***a that. I'm sick of it! These gangsta rappers are millonaires driving Cadillacs and living in multimillion dollar mansions. They accomplished it all thanks to their beautiful lyrics full of cursing, encouraging sexism, racism, violence, and drug dealing. Look at the lyrics of 50 Cent, Jadakiss, Young JEEEZY, or SNOOP DOGGY DOGG. Nothing but garbage. Scum of the earth. Take rapper Cam'ron for example, saying in an interview with Anderson Cooper how he wouldn't report a serial killer who is living next door to him, because he believes in "no snitching." These people are a nuisance. I do think of running for public office someday, and the first thing I'll do is attempt to put an end to this. It is a danger -- a grave danger, and it is slowly destroying our kids. They have to go!

[Artelis]

I like gangsta rap and I'm a well adjusted, responsible adult with a job, an apartment, and a fiance. I also wear my jeans at my hips. What you're doing is called stereotyping. I've also taken the liberty of linking you to some lyrics by snoop dogg. Take note that these lyrics are about peace, and trying to have fun in a world that seems so fucked up.

[sloth]

I disagree, based on the right to freedom of speech. This would be yet another astrick to our rights. I think there are too many of those already. The teenagers are imitating "rap artists" because that is what they are told to imitate. The same can be said for every image. Whether you wear sports jerseys, cowboy hats, crosses, makeup and blood, Ralph Lauren, heavy metal shirts and spikes, or a suit and tie. Those who do not have interesting personalities, or are self-conscious, compensate by projecting an established image that is already accepted. This problem could go away. I mean no offense, but your attitude towards them gives them power. Those things that you have used as ammo against them are those things that impress little kids. You say that they are a nuisance, garbage, scum of the earth. THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT. It raises interest. It impresses small children. It makes them look "gangsta". Instead, look at them as they truly are. They just never grew up. They are "special". All we have to do is, as a nation, replace the word "gangsta" with the word "special" and this hilarious image would fade out, just like disco pants and M.C. Hammer pants. These are the same things that have been said about every "troublemaker" group in history. The idea is "I'm a bad boy." Just rephrase that however you want. The only reason this image has stuck around is because we have given it power, by making it such an outrage to be such a person. Piercings and tattoos used to be an outrage. You were considered a real rebel if you wore a piercing. Now preps are getting them. Bikers used to be considered rebels. Now they are weekend motorists, and at best, considered to be a little immature, by the masses. Goths used to be feared as witches and troublemakers. Then we realized that they just looked like clowns. In the 70s it was the hippies who were the rebellious group. Now, they are pretty funny. Before that it was Rock and Rollers, with their slick hair. Elvis was a real rebel, wasn't he? These images, individually, didn't change and become hilariously stupid. Our (status quo) impression of them changed. Once we realized that they aren't rebels; that they are just hilarious; that they are not something to be feared; and that they are something to be used for our amusement, the images mostly faded away. Once these people realized that the entire world was laughing at them, they started to look down at their attire and think, "What the hell am I wearing?" The crimes will still be committed, under a different image. I'm just hoping that the next image is just as ridiculous, hilarious, and entertaining as this "special" gangsta image. ***I hope that I do not offend anyone. I am good friends with many goths, bikers, punk rockers, hippies, rednecks, and all sorts of people. For the record, I am mostly a hippy hillbilly. Just because I think your clothes are hilarious does not mean I don't respect you as a person. ...Unless you are a gangsta. If you are a gangsta (and you aren't Snoop Dogg), I DON't respect you as a person, and I AM attempting to offend you, because you ARE a complete tard.***

[Carera]

I like gangsta rap and I'm a well adjusted, responsible adult with a job, an apartment, and a fiance. I also wear my jeans at my hips. What you're doing is called stereotyping. You're a bit more intelligent than these idiots, that's why it doesn't have a negative effect on you. Take a gullible / naive teenager without proper parental supervision for example. When he listens to rap, the outcome can never be positive. It makes them think it is cool to be a criminal, cool to be sexist, cool to be offensive. I've also taken the liberty of linking you to some lyrics by snoop dogg[/URL]. Take note that these lyrics are about peace, and trying to have fun in a world that seems so fucked up. O.k., out of 100 lyrics you might find 5 that are peaceful. They do it deliberately so people can't say all they promote is criminal activity. They deserve to be abused.

[Catbus]

Carera clearly does not go hard in the mother fucking paint. Also, does it not bother you that you're essentially arguing that we snuff out an aspect of human culture? Not only are you proposing to eliminate an entire genre of music, but you're also nullifying the struggles of those who fought in order to make it a legitimate form of expression.

[Zhaylin]

Move to Pensacola, FL. My mom lives there and says wearing pants to your "knees" is now against the law

[Artelis]

Carera clearly does not go hard in the mother fucking paint. Also, does it not bother you that you're essentially arguing that we snuff out an aspect of human culture? Not only are you proposing to eliminate an entire genre of music, but you're also nullifying the struggles of those who fought in order to make it a legitimate form of expression. Jews caused all the problems in Germany. Wipe em out.

[DeletePlease]

Ice Cube wrote that song for you, Carera. Last I checked, gangsta rap is dead and has been that way for well over a decade in the mainstream and much of the underground. =/ A rap song that mentions a violent act isn't automatically gangsta rap, that's like saying anything with a synth in the instrumental is techno. O.k., out of 100 lyrics you might find 5 that are peaceful. They do it deliberately so people can't say all they promote is criminal activity. (Oh no, the big scary black man gangsta rapper is preaching; hide the kids, hide the kids!) (from 1:07 and there-on-out, the beginning is kind of a satirical take on things) (encouraging abused children to seek help... Oh lawdy, someone get these vile gangsta rappers out our of country!!!1!one!) I can go on, and on, and on all day long with these songs and videos, ma'am... ----- If you haven't even given the music a fair shake, how can you have the audacity to criticize it? I was practically raised on gangsta rap; I had N.W.A yelling into my ears whenever my cousin picked me up from preschool, I was singing along with the Wu Tang Clan while I was in kindergarten, I had most of the lyrics of Bone Thugs N Harmony's first two albums memorized before I hit 10, etc, etc. The artists you mentioned, 50 Cent, Jadakiss, Young JEEEZY, or SNOOP DOGGY DOGG, are incredibly tame in comparison. It's like comparing the US army with Bangladesh's... With that being said, I've never raped a woman, stabbed a feeble old man, robbed a girlscout, or even shortchanged the pizza man. Blame the cause, not the catalyst; the parents, not the music. If you're going to outlaw (a dead genre like) gangsta rap, you may as well outlaw horror movies like the SAW series because those are plenty more graphic than Brother Lynch Hung ever was. Hell, outlaw history books that describe vicious bloodshed while you're at it. Only an idiot that wasn't raised proper or is damaged to begin with will go out and take an individual's life after hearing a song. The gangsta rap group Bone Thugs N Harmony is (or was) notorious in the music industry for having excessively violent lyrics yet they were also known for being very socially conscious and encouraging/empowering the youth to make something of themselves in the world. They spent most of the last 17 years rapping/singing about religion, spirituality, politics, encouraging continued education, loving one another, etc while also staying true to their gangsta rap and horrorcore roots. They're not hellspawn, they're just writing fictional stories or recounting passed events when they rap about something like murder. There are countless other gangsta rappers that are in the same boat. In any case, the whole gangsta rap genre was just another way for the hip hop community to "stick it to the man," it started out as a means for society's downtrodden to climb up in the world. People who were stuck in the projects and dirt poor could walk into a studio and simply rap about day to day events and they'd make a quick buck. The shittier they're situation was, the more likely it was they'd be heard and paid. They were hardly glorifying the violence (at least not until the mid-90's but the record company executives are probably more to blame for that), just pointing out what was already there to begin with. Hell, I'm probably more socially conscious and an overall better person because of gangsta rap.

[Saturos]

Saying gangsta rap contributes nothing to society is strange. I thought that only people could contribute to society. If I have a knife in the kitchen, just sitting in a drawer, it's not contributing to society, should it be outlawed?

[AURON]

Gangsta Rap should be outlawed....is the same thing as saying the first amendment should be outlawed. If people want to make stupid dumb ass music for people who like stupid dumb ass music, then they're allowed to. When the government is allowed to step in and regulate that, then things tend to get worse, cause once they get the music....then they get the news, and everything else related to free speech. Don't buy it, don't listen to it, and don't support it. Just like any other business. You know what gets on my nerves? Those truth commercials when they're talking about how bad the cigarette industry is...I don't even smoke, but they annoy me. You know what I do when I see it? I turn the channel. Getting people to ban something only makes matters worse. People always have a conscious decision when it comes to what they want to do. The government should never decide it for them.

[Marvo]

America land of the free, and music is illegal by the way.

[no-Name]

I'm so proud of Gavin ;; thank you dreamviews

[DeletePlease]

Thanks, I have my moments. Off-topic: I took your advice and applied to college a few days ago btw; I'm taking Psych. =D

[Carera]

Ice Cube wrote that song for you, Carera. I have a song for him, too. After he hears it, he won't sing ever again. (Oh no, the big scary black man gangsta rapper is preaching; hide the kids, hide the kids!) (from 1:07 and there-on-out, the beginning is kind of a satirical take on things) (encouraging abused children to seek help... Oh lawdy, someone get these vile gangsta rappers out our of country!!!1!one!) I can go on, and on, and on all day long with these songs and videos, ma'am... No you can't. They are a select few "positive" songs, as I've already noted above. You can find about 5 songs per gangsta rap artist that are positive, so that kids can say "Look, mom! Rapper X doesn't always sing about putting a bullet in a cop's head! He also has something positive to say!" They have to go -- all of them. I stand by what I say. The reason it didn't affect you negatively is because you are more intelligent, and you were raised better by your parents. As years go by, more and more kids will be influenced by gangsta rap in a negative way. What is your take on rapper Cam'ron telling people never to cooperate with the police? What is your reaction to him saying he would not report a serial killer if he lived next door to him? You can find the interview on YouTube. Get a grip on reality! These people are nuisance, and it is time to get rid of the nuisance. Snoop Dogg - 20 Dollars 2 My Name Nothing left to do, but buy some shells for my glock Why? so I can rob every known dope spot I got 19 dollars and 50 cents up in my pocket with what? With this automatic rocket Gotta have it to pop it, unlock it, and take me up a hostage Only 1 among tens of thousands of lyrics.

[no-Name]

so how about the violent movies? how come in every quentin tarentino movie some guy gets his dick cut off or something fucked up. how is music any different? it's fucking fiction. why not ban movies like Wanted and shoot-em-up and movies about shooting shit.

[Carera]

so how about the violent movies? how come in every quentin tarentino movie some guy gets his dick cut off or something fucked up. how is music any different? it's fucking fiction. why not ban movies like Wanted and shoot-em-up and movies about shooting shit. Movies are different because most of them do not depict these acts as something "cool." I have no problem with violent movies. They don't say it is great to be a rich drug dealer driving a Bentley with "bitches" all over you. Movies don't idolize their bad guys and they don't present them as role models. In (most) movies: a bad guy is a bad guy. In (most) gangsta rap lyrics: a bad guy is a good guy.

[Spartiate]

Gangsta culture is great, how else would employers be able to tell which kids have potential and which kids are unemployable?

[Artelis]

ok, so guys, let's make the perfect race of people. I've got an idea of how to do it, too. We'll just get rid of everyone we don't like.

[Spartiate]

ok, so guys, let's make the perfect race of people. I've got an idea of how to do it, too. We'll just get rid of everyone we don't like. But then I wouldn't be able to look down on anybody .

[AURON]

In (most) movies: a bad guy is a bad guy. In (most) gangsta rap lyrics: a bad guy is a good guy. Actually more movies are having it where the good guy is just a bad guy that isn't as bad as the bad guy. If people wanted to watch a straight up good guy, superman wouldn't have bombed.

[Empedocles]

I don't like gangsta rap, but I don't think it should be outlawed. That's really extreme I think. If kids become criminals and imitate gangster rappers, then it's the fault of the parents, not the music itself.

[Dannon Oneironaut]

Actually, it is the fault of the kid primarily. There is only so much a parent can do.

[Marvo]

Movies are different because most of them do not depict these acts as something "cool." I have no problem with violent movies. They don't say it is great to be a rich drug dealer driving a Bentley with "bitches" all over you. Movies don't idolize their bad guys and they don't present them as role models. In (most) movies: a bad guy is a bad guy. In (most) gangsta rap lyrics: a bad guy is a good guy. Artistic expression should never be limited, unless people are being directly hurt. No matter how disgusting you find it. You are saying that the direction some people go with their life is a result of gangsta rap, while it might as well be the other way around.

[Raphael]

Ain't nothing too it, gangsta rap made me do it. -Ice Cube

[Oneironaut Zero]

I have a love/hate relationship with gangsta rap. Some of my favorite songs are gangsta rap songs. They are usually catchy, energetic and aggressive. If you don't take them too seriously, they are great forms of entertainment. However, I completely feel where Carera is coming from. I think that gangsta rap (however tolerable) is a subtle poison that is helping to worsen what is already a struggling demographic. Some might say 'well, it's the struggle that perpetuates the music!" And I say that it's often the music that perpetuates the struggle. I've never technically lived in the hood, but between my family and friends, I've had both feet in it for quite some time. I don't know how many of you actually have people that you care about, who live in the hood, but if you do, you have to be aware of the negative impact that most of this music has. It is not analogous to the movie industry. Why? Because, when it comes to the (mostly black) gangsta rap community, the genre is the only media outlet that permeates the airspace. People are being taught that gangsta rap is the only thing 'cool' or 'real.' That street life is all there is to life. It is immediate, and it is all there is. Ever hear of Stockholm Syndrome? It's the same principle. You surround someone with sensory input for so long (no matter what it is), and that input begins to shape reality. For all of you that say "well I listen to gangsta rap, and I'm not fucked up," it's because there is not a single one of you who say this that only listen to gangsta rap. You aren't only exposed to this medium. You are diverse enough to know that you don't share the same views as this rapper. You are so dissociated from the target demographic that you can look back and enjoy it as entertainment, and not as a essay on how you should live your life. Understand that the target audience for gangsta rap doesn't have this scope of vision (which is exactly why much of the 'street life' gangsta rap you hear is sponsored by white, corporate suits who have a vested interest in the Hood never being anything more than it is). Some of you in here that say how much you love gangsta rap will just as soon reply to a thread about how amazing symphonic music is, when going to sleep. This is not the face of the gangsta rap crowd. When most of us here at DV (myself included) want to switch gears and feel a different vibe from the music we are hearing, we can switch genres at the drop of a hat. When you grow up in a place where being so different is likely to get you shunned, beat up or killed, you tend to stick to one thing. Gangsta rap, to any of us, is entertainment. Gangsta rap, to someone who is from the streets, is a way of life. There is a difference, and you shouldn't try to usher yourself into the latter group just because you like a few singles from Ice Cube. If the minority community had a little more diversity - and the ability to know that there is life outside of sports, getting money (however possible) and gangsta rap - then gangsta rap wouldn't have near the weight and power and potency that it does. People would be able to categorize it as 'just entertainment.' But that's not the way it is, in the communities where it's most prevalent. It literally helps mold people (to a fault). And we can get into the argument of "well it's not the medium's fault. It's the fault of the people who let something as simple as someone else's music shape them." There is a lot of truth to that, but the fact is that there is just so much of society that isn't mentally strong enough not to be swayed by something as attractive as music. Again, whether or not you think music is just entertainment, you can't be ignorant of that simple truth. It's like running a Pavlov's Dog experiment and saying that it's the dog's fault for drooling when he consciously knows there is no food. You are substituting what 'should be' for what actually is, and you are basically rejecting the reality of the situation. But, with all that being said, I don't think it should be outlawed (though I can't say that I'd care too much if it was). I do believe in freedom of speech, but even though I rap, most of my lyrics go against the glamorization of this pseudo-thug mentality that is so popular today (and the 'true-thug' mentality that continues to spread throughout these communities). Don't get me wrong, I can bob my head to most of it, and you can't help but respect that it has been recognized as a legitimate art-form (even though this legitimate art-form didn't start with gangsta rap. It started with Hip Hop, and gangsta rap muscled its way into mainstream recognition on the coat-tails of more thoughtful, positive rap), but there is no denying the fact that most of it is basically the glorification of destructive, socially detrimental paradigms that tend to catch on much more quickly to people in ghettos (where they are targeted) than to those of us in suburbia who 'dip into' the genre because it's entertaining.