Rap music has been controversial and in the forefront of the american media now and in the 90’s. Without the frame of its social context and history rap music can not be understood. Numerous media groups, politicians, and general society are quick to place blame on rap for the growing trend in youth violence. “Keep in mind when brothas start flexing the verbal skillz, it always reflects what's going on politically, socially, and economically”-- Musician Davey D. In the 1990’s music defined the era of rap music socially ,politically, and historically.
In March 1991 no one could escape watching tv and viewing the brutal beating of Rodney King by the LAPD. It began with a high speed chase and ended with him getting 56 blows and 6 kick resulting
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NWA, Tupac Shakur (2pac), Christopher Wallace (Notorious B.I.G.) became some of the most African Americans rap artist. With urban sound of Hip Hop and Rap music African Americans jumped to the top of the record charts. NWA consisted of DR.Dre (Andre Young), Eazy E (Eric Wright), Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson), MC Ren (Lorenzo Patterson), and DJ Yella (Antoine Carraby). NWa started on the Death Row record label which open the door for other mainstream artists including Snoop Doggy Dogg, and the Dog Pound. Tupac Shakur was one of the biggest of the 90’s. Dan Quayle the vice president claimed the album's lyrics and violence influenced the killer of a texas policeman. With Tupac’s growing success his legal issues grew as well in 1992 he was convicted of assault and in 1993 was charged with sexual abuse. The day before court Tupac was shot four times and the following day in court was sentenced to one and a half to four years for the sexual abuse charge. During his jail time he wrote his famous “ME Against the World” album which reached number one on the billboard charts. Tupac was fatally shot in Las Vegas on September 7th 1996 while attending a Mike Tyson …show more content…
For example the Rodney King beating lead to a controversial rap song by NWA. Once the beating and LA riots occurred it started the bandwagon for gangsta rap which lead to many artist creating songs. With the rough streets and racial issues in the 90’s lead to NWA creating songs about the street life. Many parents and politicians thought that the gangster rap glamorized a violent life. The events that took place in
LA gave a realistic view into their lives and made the music even more realistic to their fans. As a result many of the violent things the rapped about became true in their own