When asked to write about any musician who I would classify as a “gangsta rap” artist, the first person who comes to mind is Snoop Dogg. I think Snoop Dogg is one of the most famous gangsta rap artists. Unlike other rappers who would be classified as gangsta rap artist, Snoop is not only successful in the music industry but he has also done film as well. He has surprisingly been in 15 movies, including Half Baked, Old School, and Malibu’s Most Wanted just to name a few. I think these movies have helped add to his persona of being a “gangsta”.
In Nelson George’s essay Gangsters—Real and Unreal, he defines gangsta rap as a celebration of gatts, hoes, gleeful nihilism, and crack as the center of their economic universe. I agree with his definition and Snoop Dogg is a prime example of this. His music is about these sorts of things, he doesn’t rap about anything real or serious. For example, in Snoop Dogg’s song “For All My Niggaz and Bitches” he says “So all my bitches and my niggaz and my niggaz and my bitches wave your motherfuckin hands in the air and if you don't give a shit like we don't give a shit wave your motherfuckin fingers in the air.” Really? Stuff like this has no real meaning or purpose, I absolutely don’t understand it. I personally don’t have anything against rappers like this; it just isn’t my cup of tea. There are a few of Snoops songs that aren’t meant to be disrespectful and crude like his tribute to his mother called “I love my momma”. He talks about how much he loves his mother and how much he appreciates her and is thankfully for everything she has done for him throughout his life. Like I said, he has a few songs that are sweet and sentimental, but for the most part they are about the typically “Gangsta” things. In another one of Snoop Dogg’s songs called “break a Bitch Till I Die” he says…
Now don't get mad when you see me wit ya girlfriend
She ridin shot gun, smokin the damn thang again
Now say it ain't true...
Baby you gank em and play em it ain't no ring on you
That ain't what I do, just because I spend time wit you
Don't really mean i'm lyin to you
You got to understand what this young pimp will say
Cause right about now, it ain't no time for play
Now watch me slap ya ass wit dicks, bitch
You was stricly dickly, why you turn clitly
Thats even better, now both of you bitches lick me
Then I sit back and watch y'all eat pussy
Kick off my feet and count my cheese
Snoop this ain't the XLF, this the P-I-M-P
Look, she think she burned out
Wait until I put her on the fast track and have her turned out
P.I!
Songs like this is why parents don’t want their kids listening to any kind of rap music. It sends horrible messages and promotes this kind of lifestyle. To be completely honest I wouldn’t want my son listening to anything like this. I don’t want anyone or anything telling him that it is “cool” to disrespect woman in any shape or form. Finally I don’t think Snoop Dogg would resist the “gangsta rap” label. In fact he glorifies and prides himself on it.
I completely agree with your last line. Snoop Dogg would be honored with the gangsta rap label. I was just posting a comment on another blog regarding 50 Cent and his assumed pride in that title, as well. I think artists like these would pride themselves as being gangsta rap artists. That's the cool thing to be; a gangsta.
ReplyDeleteI've never really listened to much of Snoop's work, but after reading those lyrics, I'm a little shocked at his crudeness. I suppose I should not be so shocked. I do like rap artists, and I think that some of them are extrememly, extremely talented, however, some of it is over the top. Let's be honest, though, they sell albums, don't they? I mean, look at what a huge phenomenon Snoop Dogg was/is; maybe not as huge now, but he had his era. Look up his awards and nominations! The list is a long one!
BET awards, MTV awards, Stony awards, American Music Awards, recognized by Rolling Stones, Europe Music Awards...all of these just to name a few. The guy has enough listeners and enough attention to have made him into the artist that he is.
Snoop, what a dirty mouth he has! I used to listen to Snoop Dog when he first came out with Doggystyle when I was in high school. All of my friends would sing his raps like it was so cool. I can’t even believe that my parents never overheard this and sent me to a Convent or something! I would have a heart attack if my daughter was listening to the lyrics that you mentioned in your blog.
ReplyDeleteI don’t really understand how rappers can keep on degrading women like it is no big deal, especially when most of them have daughters. I don’t understand the whole pimp and hoe thing. It just seems to me like some kind of thing that always stems from or involves abuse. Why does a ‘working woman’ have to share all the profit and why are pimps so proud of being pimps.
I tolerated Snoop all the way until I saw that he had his own Girls gone wild series or whatever that was. That’s just pathetic to me and I guess I lost all respect for him since he is or was married and has kids. I like his movie scene like the Half Baked scene and I have to appreciate him for a lot of really good memories of being a teenager when I hear ‘It aint no fun if the homies can’t have none’ but seriously the lyrics are disgusting.