Nelson George’s “Gangsters–Real and Unreal”
1. “Gangsta rap (or reality rap or whatever descriptive phrase you like) is a direct by-product of the crack explosion...first came crack rocks, then gangsta rap” (paragraph 32) What examples does George use to prove his point? Do you agree with his statement? Explain why. If not, then what do you think gangsta rap is a direct product of? Be specific in your response.
Present in George’s “Gangsters– Real and Unreal”, the extensive details revolving around the rise of drug use and the manifestation of criminal activity resulting from drugs, prostitution, and dominance, influence gangsta rap lyrics. It is the utilization of the MC’s “lyrical dexterity [that displays] the writer’s strong point of view...a …show more content…
“Jail became not a cruel punishment but a rite of passage for many that helped define one’s entry into manhood.” (41) George explains that the characteristics and disposition that those develop from the normalization of incarceration and how it has plagued the black culture’s perspective of how a man should be, and thus normalizing the behaviour occurring in prison. This creates a sense of normalization of such culture for the African-American male community, and thus is represented in the oftentimes vulgar and negatively-influential topics that are noted upon in gangsta rap, which are due to the social surroundings and factors, specifically the influence of crack and the normalization of drugs, prostitution, and exploitation.
3. How does George define gangsta rap? Write down his definitions. Can you imagine any additional definitions?
“Gangsta rap (or reality rap or whatever descriptive phrase you like) is a direct by-product of the crack explosion...first came crack rocks, then gangsta rap” (paragraph 32)
“first came crack rocks, then gangsta rap.”
“Gangsta rap first appeared in the mid-80’s. It exploded at the end of that decade and has leveled off–just like crack use–in the 90’s.
1. “Gangsta rap (or reality rap or whatever descriptive phrase you like) is a direct by-product of the crack explosion...first came crack rocks, then gangsta rap” (paragraph 32) What examples does George use to prove his point? Do you agree with his statement? Explain why. If not, then what do you think gangsta rap is a direct product of? Be specific in your response.
Present in George’s “Gangsters– Real and Unreal”, the extensive details revolving around the rise of drug use and the manifestation of criminal activity resulting from drugs, prostitution, and dominance, influence gangsta rap lyrics. It is the utilization of the MC’s “lyrical dexterity [that displays] the writer’s strong point of view...a …show more content…
“Jail became not a cruel punishment but a rite of passage for many that helped define one’s entry into manhood.” (41) George explains that the characteristics and disposition that those develop from the normalization of incarceration and how it has plagued the black culture’s perspective of how a man should be, and thus normalizing the behaviour occurring in prison. This creates a sense of normalization of such culture for the African-American male community, and thus is represented in the oftentimes vulgar and negatively-influential topics that are noted upon in gangsta rap, which are due to the social surroundings and factors, specifically the influence of crack and the normalization of drugs, prostitution, and exploitation.
3. How does George define gangsta rap? Write down his definitions. Can you imagine any additional definitions?
“Gangsta rap (or reality rap or whatever descriptive phrase you like) is a direct by-product of the crack explosion...first came crack rocks, then gangsta rap” (paragraph 32)
“first came crack rocks, then gangsta rap.”
“Gangsta rap first appeared in the mid-80’s. It exploded at the end of that decade and has leveled off–just like crack use–in the 90’s.