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A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back: The Evolution Of Gangsta Rap

531 Words3 Pages

Gangsta rap emerged as a popular genre of music in the 1990s due to its raw and authentic portrayal of life in urban America. Particularly in poverty-stricken areas with high crime rates. This genre was relatable to people who experienced similar struggles, offering a voice and highlighting important issues such as police brutality. The relatability and authenticity of gangsta rap’s lyrics, catchy beats, and rhythms captivated a widespread audience. Media coverage and controversy surrounding the explicit lyrics fueled its popularity even further, sparking debates on freedom of expression and censorship. This genre was heavily influenced by talented artists such as N.W.A., Tupac Shakur, and Notorious B.I.G., who brought gangsta rap into the …show more content…

The influence of Public Enemy’s album “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” on “Straight Outta Compton” emphasizes its significant impact on the evolution of gangsta rap music. The album is known for its powerful message promoting unity among black people and advocating for rebellion against authority figures, rap fans were able to deeply connect with the album as well as politically aware rock fans. Westhoff states, “Straight Outta Compton owes its greatest debt to Long Island group Public Enemy, whose own landmark work It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back came out less than two months earlier, captivating rap fans and hip, politically conscious rock fans alike with a message of black unity, and urging revolt against the power structure” (78). This proves how Public Enemy’s music inspired and shaped “Straight Outta Compton,” highlighting themes of social justice and empowerment within rap music. It also demonstrates how both albums contributed to cultural and political issues of their time, influencing the music industry and society’s perception and discussions about race and

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According to Perry, “Violence, sexism, and criminal activity are all depicted as horrifying features of rap music” (27). However, people may say rap music is a bad influence. “That image often does not correlate the actual lyrics or the personality of the artist; it reflects the music’s perception as violent ghetto expression”, acknowledges Perry. Regardless of the language hip hop artist use they paint a picture of real life situations of black americans. The realism of these stories causes destructiveness in these areas which fuels the words of an artist.

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Despite being one of the most impactful genres of its time, there isn't a fully accurate portrayal of gangster rap's history. The origins of the genre, as we know it today, lie in 1988 when the rap group N.W.A. released its seminal album Straight Outta Compton. The album received praise and much more scrutiny but it's brutally honest depiction of life in South Central Los Angeles captured the attention of the nation's youth. However, the subject matter of N.W.A.'s music created an exaggerated image for them and every other artist that partook in the genre. Along with the rise of gangster rap there was an increase in the public’s awareness of street gangs.

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1882 Words | 8 Pages

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946 Words | 4 Pages

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