The dark side of gangsta rap

     The origins of hip-hop music or "rap" as it is commonly known, started in the late seventies and early eighties. It was a type of music that centered around urban culture, mostly poor black inner city youths. It focused mainly on the challenges of being raised in an environment with few opportunities. Most of the early artists songs revolved around this. The lyrics were generally upbeat and positive. A few of the pioneers of this genre were groups such as  Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa.

     However, during the late eighties and early nineties, a new type of rap had emerged. It was known as gangsta rap, and it was taking the music world by storm. Some of the pioneers of this new trend in hip hop were Ice-T, and a group known as N.W.A.  Much of their music was directed toward resentment of the law enforcement community. As shown in the videos below:

                                                        Ice-T-Cop Killer and Body Count

                                                                   N.W.A-Fuck Da Police

     A deep resentment had started to emerge among many urban youths toward the police. Whether this injustice was real or perceived. Nonetheless, it was a reflection in their music and attitudes. A fairly recent poll done by CBS, in July of 2009, reflects the resentment of police to this day:

     Now we could certainly conclude that there are good police officers, and bad ones. Just like with any other human beings. But to hold ALL police officers as being corrupt just does not make logical sense. It is intolerable and irrational. And, to advocate violence against any group is discrimination in it's ugliest form.
     Another point of contention I have with gangsta rap is the degrading way of how they treat women. Many are seen as nothing but objects of sex and nothing more. One famous, or I should say "infamous" group of performers who are known for degrading women is the rap band known as 2 Live Crew.

     As you can seen gangsta rap brings no benefit to society whatsoever. Music should be uplifting and bring joy to us. How can you derive joy from advocating murder and sexism?
  

Then and Now

     I'm going to interview my grandmother Eleanor, and compare some of the popular culture and times of when she was my age. This would roughly be back in 1975 when she was my age. The one that really stands out for her was the ending of the Vietnam War.
    The Vietnam War was an attempt by the Americans to stop the spread of communism from North Vietnam to the democratic South Vietnam. This was a war that divided America like no other.

     This was also a time of some great classic movies, such as Jaws. A movie about a killer shark that was terrorizing New England's Amity island. For the longest time my grandmother was afraid to go swimming. A testament in itself to how something such as a movie can influence our decisions and play on our own fears.

     Music was also a big part of the times. It greatly helped inspire a generation. One of her favorite bands of the times was the Eagles. The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1971 by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner.

      There were also many popular television shows during this era. I can actually recall spending the night over at my grandparents house, and watching these shows with them. One of them was called Little House on the Prairie. A story about a family living in a farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, in the 1870s and 1880s.

     Another one I vividly remember watching over there as a child was none other than the Waltons.  The show is centered on a family in a rural Virginia community during the Great Depression and World War II.

     
     These were some of the popular and (unpopular in the case of the Vietnam War), things during the time when she was my age. 
     Now I would like to go into some of the popular culture of the recent times. It's very clear to see the differences between then and now. It seemed for the most part to be a time with a bit more of family values. The 1970's could almost be "tame" considered to what is influencing our culture today.
     Lets start off with one of my personal favorite shows and one of the most popular shows in syndication. The television show 2 and a half men. Also, the subsequent media fueled breakdown of its lead actor Charlie Sheen.

     As far as the music industry goes, it is harder to find a bigger pop celebrity these days than Lady GaGa. It seems that many of today's singers are in a battle to pull off the whackiest videos and stunts. Whatever works and brings in the crowds I suppose.

     The movies of these times just keep getting better and better in my opinion. With the advent of modern film-making and special effects. Popular comic book characters have come to life on the big screen. A few of my personal favorites from comic book creator Stan Lee. One of which is Thor, the mythical god of Thunder. And also Captain America, a superhero from the days of World War 2.

 

     Another big event which fascinated the hearts and minds of many Americans and indeed the world was not a motion picture or a singer. It was wedding of  Prince William of England to Kate Middleton. This was apparently the wedding of the century, and attracted much media attention. A storybook wedding to a Prince. Is this not the dream of most girls growing up? I know it sure captured my wife's attention.

     Another media attention grabbing headline we kept seeing was the inevitable self destruction of Actress/Singer Lindsay Lohan. It seemed that no matter how hard she tried she could not stay out of trouble. Another train wreck of a celebrity I suppose. Nonetheless, one that kept Americas attention for a bit. No doubt fueled by the constant media coverage. There seemed to be no escape from hearing about her.

     That about wraps up my interview with my grandmother and my comparison to some of the events from Then and Now. She told me that life these days seems to be going at a fast pace, and we need to slow down some, and look at some of the things that really matter. I think perhaps she is right.