Gangsta rap died the night Pac took six bullets on that Las Vegas strip in ‘96.
For young Black folks coming on the heels of the Civil Rights Movement and the repressive Reagan administration, gangsta rap was liberation. After the previous generation fought to dismantle racial apartheid in the South, only to be met with rapid economic de-industrialization in the 1970s, and the War on Drugs and Crack Era of the 80s, here was a specific genre of rap that catered to the frustrations of a new era dealing with rampant police brutality, the decline of social welfare, and mass incarceration. Gangsta rap gave you the nod to openly say fuck the police, throw your middle-finger to the sky, and know that sometimes it was justified not to give a fuck because the world didn’t seem to give one about you.
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At the tender age of eleven, hip-hop transformed into a permanent fixture in my life, and eager to soak up as much of the culture as possible, I regularly watched BET’s Rap City ‘Tha Basement’ in the late 90s. Jay’s “Big Pimpin” was in regular rotation—a particular favorite. What was so entrancing about this video wasn't necessarily Jay, the half-naked women, or the lavish rides that were touted on camera. The most intriguing element of this song was the man rapping on the third verse, with a mink coat and a beautiful honey (then video-girl Gloria Velez) draped across his wide frame. Was it simply the effortlessly smooth southern cadence that captured my interest? Or could it have been the glistening grill that transfixed my attention? Despite my young age, I sense that there appeared to be more to him than met the eye.
It wasn't until years later I discovered that the rapper that piqued my curiosity, Pimp C, hadn't even wanted to rhyme on ‘Big Pimpin’”, a record he’d initially esteemed “too pop” for his tastes, preferring the artistic style of “International Players Anthem” instead. With his Diamonds-and-Wood, chopped-and-screwed veneer, there were indisputable insights that Pimp C brought to the hip-hop audience that proved that you didn’t have to rock a Kufi in order to kick knowledge. 1. Garfield Conservatory Park Reopens For Earth Day
In lieu of Earth Day, Garfield Conservatory reopened its doors to the public! For the first time since they closed for repairs, Chicago Earth lovers can see the Fern Room & Desert House! Their Grand Reopening Family Day will be Sunday, April 26th.
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ATS MagAgainst the Stream Magazine is an urban platform. We edify our readers by finding noble, pure, and true talent and giving it a stage to flourish. While we love bragging about the folks around us, we also tackle urban issues by giving real world solutions. Archives
October 2015
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