How Gangsta Rap Changed L.A.

Gangsta rap rose into prominence in the late 1980s through the 1990s. It is a form of hip hop style characterized by lyrics and themes that typically emphasize thug-life and gangster lifestyle (Howell & Griffiths, 2018). While gangsta rap was initially an alternative and underground, a concealed form of music, in the 1990s, it changed into the most commercially rewarding hip hop sub-genre. Soon after, gangsta rap artists were adored for their role in fostering the acceptance and the integration of the music style in the American lifestyle, especially in the low-income California neighborhoods. In other words, Gangsta rap became part and parcel of the youth living in low-income areas such as Los Angeles in the 1990s. The role of Gangsta rap in the LA neighborhoods took a new shape. Because of its adoration by many youths, the hip hop sub-genre shaped the character of the young people, particularly, on defiance to law enforcement and income generation (Howell & Griffiths, 2018). With the youth accustomed to criminality mindset, they sought solace in criminal gangs ostensibly to attain acceptance in a society increasingly characterized as criminal. Besides shaping their behavior, crime-themed gangsta rap influenced the youth’s sense of unity. According to Howell and Griffth’s publication, they thought being in a gang would be a form of togetherness expression, an aspect they sought for protection. Thus, gangsta rap was the uniting factor for the gang-joining youth. While gangsta rap emerged as an underground music style, its rise to prominence had a negative impact on the ballooning youthful generation in different parts of the United States. California, specifically the LA region, saw a youth bulge, most of which came from low-income families and lacked access to economic and social amenities such as the source of income and education. As Howell and Griffiths (2018) explain, gangsta rap provided them with the much-needed promise of economic support and hope, thereby driving them into joining gangs. Indeed, gangsta rap had a huge influence on the growth of gangs in the 1990s.

References

Howell. J. C, & Griffiths. E. (2018). Gangs in America's communities . Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.