Thursday, September 11, 2014

Narrative criticism of gangsta rap


When I think of narratives I usually think of stories and in this day age there is no story better told than that of gangsta rap. Although gangsta rap is constantly critiqued it need to be thoroughly examined by someone others than those who do not like it. Other narratives that warrant criticism include gangsta rap. I used to enjoy rap when it was in the beginnings of a new genre of music but now this is not music to me. I can only hear a lot of repeating and remixing from other artists who helped to break the barrier of rap. There was no need to have behind the scene meanings or use of undertones to get your point across. There is also no need to have to scream or yell to make others hear what you have to say. These days depending on when and where you were born you need an interpreter as well as earmuffs to listen to what is considered good music these days. I understand creative processes of artists but do I really need to have my children to listen to music for me to understand just what is said or the message that the artist is trying to speak of?  On that point, does some of the music of today really have a message behind its melody or are the words they speak is just another new language of today’s generation? I can understand why there is now a rating system on some of today’s music because some of the language is not slipped but is actually spoken by those who listen to it and hove no consideration for others around them. Wherever someone sees the video that is made to go along with that particular song, the meaning or message of such song is gone or changed from what the listener thought it was to mean. Rap music became mainstream in the early 1980’s and it has not only grown but also divided into many different forms of rap music. Being from a generation that had music that was basically straight-forward and to the point, gangsta rap may have some good music in its repertoire but many of the artists are not as creative or musically talented. It takes a lot of education and skills to be able to “speak” your message to others in the form of music and song. Many talented artists and songwriters worked hard to pave the way for those coming after them and to me the artists of today have some big shoes to fill. If some will truly criticize instead of being critical about this form of music then maybe some artists will be inclined to record a variety and create other forms of rap.



1 comment:

  1. Carmen,
    I agree that gangsta rap can have some powerful storytelling and messages. Most people would dismiss it because it is rap, even without trying to hear its message. I believe that every song should be given a listen to just to see what the true message is about. Don't dismiss a certain genre just because you hate it.

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