Rappers Want to Be Pimps

CNN.com Entertainment ^ | 7/31/03 | some AP scrivener

[ZviTheWise]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Ten years ago, it seemed as if every rapper wanted to be a gangsta. Now, everyone wants to be a pimp.

50 Cent and Snoop Dogg strut in full pimp regalia, surrounded by a bevy of beauties, in their new video "P.I.M.P." Rappers like Lil' Jon bounce through their videos holding jewel-encrusted chalices popularized by pimps.

Even old-school soul veteran Ronald Isley personifies the pimp style with his alter-ego, "Mr. Biggs," right down to his elaborate cane.

Modeling yourself after figures most people consider among the degenerates of society might not seem like the most respectable path to follow -- but no one ever accused rappers of wanting to be respectable.

"Rappers just always want to be something bad," said producer-rapper Jermaine Dupri, who's touted himself as a "young pimp" in his own lyrics. "Just the same way rappers want to be gangstas, rappers want to be pimps."

Yet the self-proclaimed king of pimps, Bishop Don Magic Juan, would disagree with the sentiment that pimping is a bad thing. Although he's given up the pimp business for preaching -- he's an ordained minister -- he's still a proud playa who sticks up mightily for his former profession.

"It's been portrayed negatively through movies and television," says Juan, who despite his new profession has not forsaken his pimp wardrobe. "Now people are seeing it for what it is."

Snoop Dogg -- perhaps the biggest pimp purveyor in today's rap game -- agrees.

"It's cool to look good, it's cool to have girls on your arm, and get money from them, and that's a good feeling, you dig? There ain't nothing wrong with it," he told The Associated Press in a recent interview.

"We're teaching people how to hustle and how to look good," he said. "I'd rather be a pimp than a gang-banger, because I grew up being a gang-banger, and I tell you, you live longer being a pimp."

[ZviTheWise]

Cheer up, America... when your teens watch MTV, you can rest assured that they're learning about solid free market role models (sarcasm alert).

[egarvue]

"It's been portrayed negatively through movies and television," says Juan, who despite his new profession has not forsaken his pimp wardrobe. "Now people are seeing it for what it is."

The degrading, brutal, and often violent exploitation of women? Somehow, I think God would like to have a few words with this "preacher"...

[PackerBoy]

Amazing what passes for cool these days. I suppose mass murderers and terrorists will soon be idolized as the ultimate bad boys.

[zarf]

That's why if Kobe actually DID rape the little white chick, he will rise in esteem amoungst the breathren.

If he wimped out and didn't hit it...he'd just be another brother acting white.

[Question_Assumptions]

Think about what the word "cool" means and what it means to be "cool" -- emotionally detached, unable to be shocked, disinterested in the affairs of others, etc. We used to have a society that valued honor, duty, and faith and now we have a society that values "cool". No surprises here. I still can't understand the women who seem to enjoy being used as fasion assessories, though.

[Maria S]

"Not that all these rappers are actually selling sex. Like much of rap music, almost all pimp lyrics are just talk."

I thought rap music was ALL about what life was ACTUALLY like...down in the ghetto.

---

"[It's about] the freedom of the females and the thought of a female getting you money.-snip-Not surprisingly, women don't seem to fare too well in the rap pimp world..."

'Freedom' of the female/female getting you money...aren't those two phrases exactly opposite in the pimping world?

---

Chris Rock - IMHO a real detriment to the black world.

[wasp69]

Modeling yourself after figures most people consider among the degenerates of society might not seem like the most respectable path to follow

Yet it is part and parcel for the degenerates that make (c)rap music.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Gee... I don't know why black males are regarded as lawbreaking thugs... I just dont know why....

[Little Pig]

Hey, at least the wardrobe will be a bit more interesting than the current "pants around the thighs" yard-dawg look. I can't wait to see how all the wanna-be suburban white kids look in platform shoes and magenta crushed-velvet zoot suits.

[reformed_democrat]

I can't wait to see how all the wanna-be suburban white kids look in platform shoes and magenta crushed-velvet zoot suits.

LOL!
They'll look just as ridiculous as they did in the Disco 70's.

[Teacher317]

I'm shocked, SHOCKED, I tell you!

[dfwgator]

You can't top Fly Guy from "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" with the aquarium in his shoes.