Gangsta Rap and Death Metal- A Comparative Essay (1060 hits)
Category: Sound & MusicRating: 1.76 on 18 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Banga3386 <tanzia682.at.aol.com> (View user info) at 2006-01-19 04:55:55 EST
Read this first:http://www.ubersite.com/m/82544
It got me to thinking about the gangster rap music and violence connection.
A parallel can be made about black/death/gore etc. metal music.
There were a lot of bands back in the day who gained "street cred" by actually performing some of the lyrical ideas (church burning, Satanism, murder, even cannibalism) And although the church burnings in Norway were a protest around the thousand year anniversary of Christianity (a violent imposition which brought about the end of the Viking era), mythical stories were brought to the rest of Europe and the states and were met with some "that's a hardcore way to protest" responses and more "wow, those guys are so evil, I love it."
Both genres came about with their own different influences but although the exact situations were different, the development of the rap and the metal came about due to the social climate, the economic level, opposing ideals, and good old fashioned rebellion.
The more into the scene you were the more people (especially youths) were drawn to you. You add the mystique, the visuals, the anger, and the human imagination to a handful of facts and the stories were not hard to come by. Just ask three different metal fans the story of Mayhem and you are bound to get a basic idea with different details surrounding. The same can be said about someone like Suge Knight.
If anything violent happened in or around the areas of the rap or metal scenes, the news would automatically attribute them to either gangs or cults, many times with little or even no facts to substantiate the stories. We've all heard about the West Memphis Three, and if not go to WM3.org.
You could even make up a story completely about a band and it's sure to mystify someone enough to check out the album. Just think Marilyn Manson and the rib removal nonsense.
These are obviously not the main or even close to the most important reasons for people to like the music, but are significant nonetheless. To most, the music is what draws them in: the abrasive quality of the vocals, the flow and groove of the songs, or just the musicianship of the artists, the same goes for both genres.
For me personally it was the style, speed, and content of what Bone Thugs and Harmony were singing that got me started on that side, and it was the blinding speed and technicality of Nicholas Barker's (Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir) drumming that got me hooked on the other.
To do a brief side by side comparison of the genres in dealing with the lifestyle image issue:
Locales
Rap: North Eastern U.S. and California
Black/Death Metal: Scandinavia
Characters
Rap: 2 Pac, Snoop Dogg, Too Short
Metal: Euronymous, Dead, and Varg Vikernes of Mayhem, Faust of Emperor
Poseur byproduct
Rap: Wanna-be gang bangers, white suburban kids with attitude and no class
Metal: Goths and short lived self proclaimed Satanists
Now what is happening with both sides is the total and complete commercialization that they have become due to various reasons. People love the music because it speaks to them in some way, shape, or form; now they can buy it all prepackaged nice, neat, and tidy wherever videos and cds are sold. I bought a Venom cd at Best Buy, I guess that explains that.
A lot can be said about the effect these genres have on people but at the end of the day this is the truth: This is music; it is art, it is an experience, it is an escape, it is fun, it is enlightening, it is hilarious, it is beautiful, it is everything and anything you want it to be.
The problem lies where people take things too seriously and that's when the trouble starts.
It is with the kids who are problem stricken to begin with, the schools, German tabloids, American fanzines, national media, rumor and hearsay, fear, ignorance, and glorification of it all in other various entertainment forms that create this negative image/scene/behavior.
Does Slayer want us to perform satanic rituals? What does Judas Priest want us to "do?"
Does Too Short want us all to become pimps and johns? Ice T can't really be telling us to go kill police officers can he?
In reference to the Judas Priest trials, wherein they were accused of adding subliminal messages to songs, thus resulting in the death of one fan and the maiming of another, Bill Hicks had this to say: "What artist wants his fans dead? Do they wake up one day and say 'Bloody 'ell Nigel, I'm fucking sick of all the fame, fortune, sex, free drugs, and alcohol. I just want to stay home and knit. I've got it; we'll make 'em all dead! Then we'll be free!" (paraphrasing of course)
If one puts blood to brain they could come up with an extremely similar parallel with punk rock. Also not to forget the folk music of the 60's and 70's, again the details are different but the right elements were in place to create something special.
User Reviews
Submitted by Sideburns (user info) at 2006-02-16 11:38:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Your wish is my command:
The complete "Late Night Delivery" series up until now:
http://www.ubersite.com/m/45183 Part 1
http://www.ubersite.com/m/49806 Part 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/61087 Part 3
http://www.ubersite.com/m/69323 Part 4
http://www.ubersite.com/m/84048 Part 5
http://www.ubersite.com/m/84109 Part 6
Submitted by Spam (user info) at 2006-01-22 13:50:59 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
auto reciept of your 1000th review +2.
I have to admit that's not one I have to use alot.
Submitted by BranDo (user info) at 2006-01-21 08:46:26 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I liked the fact that this 'theory' could also be applied to older trends like punk and rock bands, that's where your subjects are coming from in the first place.
Every generation throws a hero in the popcharts-P. Simon
Submitted by Banga3386 (user info) at 2006-01-21 06:42:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Misanthropic (user info) at 2006-01-20 12:48:40 (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by IntangibleHands (user info) at 2006-01-19 06:54:32 (#)
Ranking: 2
Very interesting perspective.
Also, Varg Vikerness wasn't a member of Mayhem. His one-man-band was named Burzum.
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Well spotted Bruce
Hasn't Varg turned to Christianity instead of burning down churches?? Granted, he is in jail
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Varg was the bassist for Burzum and wrote lyrics for Darkthrone's "Transilvanian Hunger"
and I belive that I confused Varg for Euronymous a.k.a. Oystein Aarseth, although I listed them as two different people.
I can't say I was sober when I wrote this, sorry.
Submitted by JackalFett (user info) at 2006-01-20 14:24:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Ferretnose has a good point.
And plus it all boils down to money.
Submitted by weasul (user info) at 2006-01-20 13:15:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 Bill Hicks
Submitted by Deconstruction (user info) at 2006-01-20 13:03:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Well written but I disagree on too many levels to sit and debate this out.
Didn't make me smile but this wasn't a 0 or lower.
Submitted by Misanthropic (user info) at 2006-01-20 12:48:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by IntangibleHands (user info) at 2006-01-19 06:54:32 (#)
Ranking: 2
Very interesting perspective.
Also, Varg Vikerness wasn't a member of Mayhem. His one-man-band was named Burzum.
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Well spotted Bruce
Hasn't Varg turned to Christianity instead of burning down churches?? Granted, he is in jail
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2006-01-19 14:12:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Filename.
Submitted by Ferretnose (user info) at 2006-01-19 13:38:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
As an old fart who was once asked by her father if an Iron Maiden poster I had was "going to make me love the devil" after Geraldo's famous metal music expose', I have come to understand the truth behind such concepts, over the years.
Musicians who denigrate the basic morality of Judeo-Christian society (gansta rap, metal, punk, etc) do not actually have a wish that their fans worship the devil, kill cops and parents, become pimps and hoes; all such things that seem to exhort youth culture to abandon values are nothing more than a gimmick to sell records. And it's one that works without fail. Each generation takes the next step, raises the bar a little higher, pushing the limits on what is socially acceptable. Almost every teenager wants to do whatever will shock and dismay their parents. And still the public buys into the gimmick. Then when you get my age, you hear your music played on the Lite Rock channel, or even called oldies, and you realize that the bands you were once so loyal to have sold out and are balding, fat, and making fools of themselves on VH1 reality shows...
How do I know this to be true? My Dad was a hell-raising dude back in his day, with his Pink Floyd, Bad Company,Led Lep, Deep Purple, Cream, etc. I happen to know my Grandma hated the music he listened to as a teen, and the way he behaved, because she told me so herself. Now here's this man who used to totally rock out, and still rocks out to this day, asking a 15 year old me if my Iron Maiden poster is going to make me "love the devil". Parents are terrified that their kids are going to get hurt by getting on the wrong track. My son is 11. In just a few short years I'll be hating something he loves, and he'll be hating me because of it, and he'll use it to shut me out, the same way I did and all generations have. Which leaves three conclusions:
1) There is nothing new under the sun.
2) I will have to beat my kid's ass.
3) Metal Rulz.
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2006-01-19 12:53:42 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 West Memphis Three.
Submitted by ripopotmus (user info) at 2006-01-19 11:11:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Bone Thugs and Mayhem......beautiful
Submitted by Creepy_guy (user info) at 2006-01-19 09:53:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
That balled guy in the back is really fucking freaky. THE EYES...
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2006-01-19 07:41:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
i have a similar essay 3/4 written comaring country music and hip hop, both of the last 20 years.
the only differences are which vices they glorify and which states they "rep"
maybe i'll finish it up today at work.
Submitted by IntangibleHands (user info) at 2006-01-19 06:54:32 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Very interesting perspective.
Also, Varg Vikerness wasn't a member of Mayhem. His one-man-band was named Burzum.
Submitted by Nellypaal (user info) at 2006-01-19 06:31:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Well considered and written but not quite kicker of all ass.
I'm cutting down on my +2s.
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2006-01-19 05:12:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Because you call them 'characters'
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2006-01-19 05:00:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
bass players make me hard.
sorry about teh lack of email communications, but I'm a lazy fuck.
rad1101.at.gmail.com