Music is a great art form as it expresses emotions and ideas through sounds and vocals to tell a story. The beauty of music is that it’s constantly passed down from generations and constantly transitioning throughout time evolving each decade that defines and relates to the present within society. For example, the younger generation’s music choice could be described as shitty, ear bleeding bubble gum pop and “Gangsta” rap. Nowadays most people do not really appreciate nor respect the history behind these genres of music especially Hip-Hop/Rap, where the culture behind this genre has been originated in the 1970’s by African Americans in the Bronx, New York who were affiliated in gangs.
The most commonly known and most relevant type of Hip Hop in today’s society is called “Gangsta” rap which emphasizes the gangster life style these rappers talk about what it was and is like growing up in the hood and being affiliated with a gang organization such as the Crips and the Bloods. In the article, How Tekashi 69 And Other Artists Highlight America’s Trivialization Of Gang Culture editor Andre Gee uses the “soundcloud” rapper Tekashi 69 as a prime example of how upcoming, naïve “gangster” rappers are making a mockery out of gang culture and tarnishing the reputation of gangster rap music. In photos Tekashi 69 has taken, Gee discusses how the rapper is shown wearing blue bandannas while throwing up a “C” which indicates “an affiliation with the Blood’s rivals the Crips”. Tekashi 69’s nonchalant response when asked about these pictures on a live radio broadcast was that he was “just doing what his friends were doing at the time”. Unfortunately, there are many other prevalent naïve rappers out here that are false flagging gang affiliations to grow their street credentials and seek fame and notoriety for how tough they are. However, the status these rappers are desperately seeking when it comes to making a name for themselves in the rap industry comes at a hefty price as they become a target for rival gangs to kill these false flagging gang affiliates. Whether these rappers see claiming a gang affiliation as a perfect marketing strategy to increase album, they are ultimately looking for a death sentence.
