My Rap Against Rap Analysis

In Nathan McCall’s article “My Rap Against Rap” published by Reader's Digest he expresses how rap music is influencing young black people in today's society. Comparing his experiences to the film The Godfather and the effects they had upon him. Noting its violent gangsters and gunfights have created a fascination among young black Americans, it was the ruthless code of principles that govern the gangster’s lives that he ties to the rap lyrics. McCall took things into his own hands and shot the man mafia style like in a scene from the film. While being fingerprinted realizing he was just a scared mixed up kid. During his trial and after, he never stopped thinking about the shooting, or the influences that had led him to do such a thing. He later states …show more content…
Popularity of this type of music “has grown to 700 million dollars annually”. Furthermore juvenile black on black violence has escalated sharply since the 1980s rising with the popularity of gangster rap, taking into consideration the drug wars still doesn't explain the increase in violence. Also behavioral changes and values recently of rural young black Americans due to increased media access are to blame. The social answer may quit simply be the obvious effects of easily impressionable teens and rap. These teens are looking at rappers as role models, wanting to emulate their flashy lifestyles. The struggle and reality of living in a oppressive world makes the fantasy of this rap lifestyle more appealing. Thinking they will be accepted or even idolized themselves for their actions. Not taking into consideration the consequences of their actions till they are arrested or incarcerated. Reality is something that is never part of fantasy, while the consequences of actions are. Many of these individuals have no real clue why they did what they