The condemnation of rap music is greatly due to misperception. It is often misunderstood because of generational and cultural differences. Rap music is an art form that reflects life. Gangsta rap emerged in the late 80’s when crack and gangs ruled the West Coast. The origins of this new style came from Los Angeles, Long Beach, Compton, and Oakland. A form of music that mimicked the gangs and violence on the streets was bound to rise. The real problems are outside the music, not within (Leland).

The problem of urban violence is much bigger than rap. Rappers such as Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre, who have been publicly criticized for their lyrics, grew up in the ghetto, and their words reflect what they have lived through. It is what is often referred to as the “realness

” of hip-hop. Listeners can listen and know they are real, and that the rapper has truly experienced all of the things he discusses. The lyrics made by these rappers are not creating the worlds of violence and drugs; it is the reality of the streets. It was their lives, and the realities that they had to face everyday. In an article from Newsweek by John Leland, he states, “These performers should be classic American success stories: young men of humble origins who through sheer talent and hard work rose to the mansion on the hill” (Leland).

Snoop Dogg has also had run-ins with the law and violence. In 1993 he was arrested after the MTV Video Music Awards on murder charges. Snoop did not pull the trigger, his bodyguard did. The shooting was ruled out of self defense. Snoop received lots of criticism from anti-rap activists and media relating his lyrics as a gangsta rapper to his trial. David Kenner, Snoop’s attorney, said, "Snoop was perceived negatively, and we had to dispel that inaccurate opinion." Snoop and other rappers are hurt by these mis-conceptions. He said, "People think that I like being notorious, this shit ain't cool. It's not what I'm about anymore. This is nothing cool, nothing fun, nothing to laugh about. This is stressful” (Leland).

Snoop Dogg grew up in Long Beach, 25 miles south of L.A. It is the city where Snoop joined the Golgotha Trinity Baptist youth choir and, later, the Insane Crips (Leland). Snoop has become somewhat of a local hero for the kids living in Long Beach because his music accurately depicts their lives. Erica Brown, a 16 year-old Long Beach native said, "He's not trying to be what he ain't. If he said he wasn't a gangster, he'd be

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