Gangsta Rap
After the emergence of Public Enemy, rap music began grow increasingly violent. More and more, rappers described the brutalities of gang life in their music. And, as a result, gangsta rap was born, “the most explosive, controversial and influential subgenre in rap history” (Cheney and Toop). A major contributor to gangsta rap was the hip hop group NWA. Their success launched the careers of Dr. Dre and Ice Cube.
NWA’s album, Straight Outta Compton, was extremely powerful and effective. It was considered “a virtual blueprint for the genre of gangster rap… [and moved] rap from the East to West” (Gates, Chuck D, and Common 233). The album accurately depicted gang life in Compton, California, each song going to great detail about the aspects. However, “Fuck tha Police” possessed the most impact; it caught the attention of the FBI and “was deathly anti-authoritarian, claiming that the Compton Police ‘have the authority to kill a minority’ (Gates, Chuck D, and Common 233). Gangsta rap did not blur any lines; it was incredibly blunt and real. Moreover, it exposed the struggles of African American youth and turned the harsh realities of gang life into an art form.
