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Tam Metin
Abstract
From the youth gang and drug dealing culture that has developed in American criminal society, three distinct forms of musical expression have come forth from different criminal groups. African-American youth gang members have adopted hip-hop or "gangsta" rap as their musical style of expression. Performers such as Snoop Dogg (Rolling 20s Crips) or DJ Quik (Tree Top Piru Bloods) were former or current gang members. Among the Hispanics, narcocorrido music has groups singing the praises of Pablo Escobar and the hazards of drug dealing. The neo-Nazis have largely adopted a death metal or hate rock theme that screams a call of White revolution and racial purity. The music of these three very different groups has several similarities: violence, angst, dissatisfaction with the "normal society" and a view that the end justifies the means. These styles of music fuel the street wars that occur in the cities of America.
From the youth gang and drug dealing culture that has developed in American criminal society three distinct forms of musical expression have come forth from different criminal groups. African-American youth gang members have adopted hip-hop or rap as their musical style of expression. Among the Hispanic gangs, narcocorrido music has groups singing the praises of Pablo Escobar and the hazards of drug dealing. The neo-Nazis have largely adopted a death metal or hate rock theme that screams a call of White revolution and racial purity.
The music of these three very different groups has several similarities:
* Violence,
* Angst,
* Dissatisfaction with the "normal society," and
* A view that the end justifies the means.
Also expressed in their music are their views of social norms, a view of manhood, a view on the status of women, and their view of society as a whole. Music is a powerful and unique form of social expression. As such, it is protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution as a type of freedom of speech. Music affects moods and ideas. Many forget that singing "Yankee Doodle" was once a revolutionary act in itself. These styles of music fuel the street wars that occur in the cities of America.
Social Norms
While expressing the angst and anxiety caused by the perceived lack of...