Once we got to the early 90's, the urban thug mentality entered rap music. Gangsta rap, which glorified a criminal element under the faulty guise of "telling the true story of the streets" entered the urban culture, and spread like wildfire.
Some petty street thugs and gangsters found a new outlet for their efforts, which led to the east coast-west coast gang wars. Those wars led to a worsening image nationally, and ultimately led to the jailing of 'Shug' Knight and the murders of Tupac Shakur and 'Biggie Smalls'.
Jason Mizell was a casualty of what the urban music business has become - the realm of thugs and criminals. He was on the periphery, and stepped on the toes of one of these petty thugs that is out there in the business now.
Those "businessmen" are nothing more than petty gangsters trying to play at using mafia-like tactics to advance their criminal enterprise. They use violence and sedition to push their music and by extension, they push drugs and promote the exploitation of women. They drive the big, expensive cars, wear the gaudy jewelery and simultaneously give voice to the victim mentality of the younger members of the black community across the nation.
They are part of the ongoing disease affecting black America. And it will take much time, effort and energy to create a means for a cure.
Yes, and they will all be truly missed...[ahem]. I have less than zero respect for anyone involved in the rap world. I used to be a fan back in the days of Run-DMC and Hammer, but it's just gotten ridiculous. They make the '80s glam rockers look calm, composed, and reserved.
Their "music" (I use the term loosely) videos are packed with people who can't speak english, who parade their gaudy jewelry, hats worn at odd angles, and big, expensive cars which most people will never be able to afford anyway.
I see most of these guys as being so incredibly shallow and materialistic to the point where it's just sickening. In so-called "urban culture," if you don't wear gold jewelry and have the latest Starter jersies, then you're not worth consideration. So what's the result? Guys who can't afford to feed their families are buying this crap in order to remain trendy. It's not just a fad, it's a genuine symbol of status to these people.
Probably worst of all, and the article touched on this subject, more and more black men think that education is a total dead-end. That's why you see so many trying to become "rap stars" and basketball players. They're trying for what they think is easy money. They don't seem to understand that an extremely small percentage of these guys actually go on to any form of success.
I don't buy the whole "every generation says this" line when it comes to rap. Young blacks need a strong slap across the face--and soon.
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Ice-T actually started gangsta rap in 1985-86. NWA made it popular in '87 with Straight Outta Compton.