Without a gun you could feel....Can you add any more to the diagram?

How would/do you feel without a gun?

Connotations of a gun

Having a GUN could make you feel...

An influenced teenager

It could be said that this teenager has been immensely influenced by hip hop music. In his profile on myspace.com he has quoted hip hop as his favourite genre of music.

I find it interesting to observe the several pictures he has displayed of himself on his myspace profile. Just as Tupac (previous post) wanted to display a particular image of himself in his poster, this teen is also representing himself to the whole of the public sector who has access to the internet as a potential threat to society.

All his pictures conform to the stereotype of a hip hop artist. As seen in my previous post (an analysis of the hip hop artist) this teenager shows the same portrayl of wealth through the gold grill in his mouth (a grill is a metal gum shield), his muscular physique and the most interesting, his fourth photo, a photo of his posing with a gun as his accessory.

The second photo shows a picture of a young man who the profile user "will always remember" it would be interesting to see whether this young man had been affected by gun crime and had a part to do with his death.

Obviously, there are many other factors that could have caused his death, but if his social group consisted of individuals like the profile user, could he himself have been a victim of gun crime throughout his life?

I find the third photo quite amusing because he quotes "all for my wife" relating to his body, ironically he is displaying his body to the whole of those who have access to the internet, so is it really all for his wife or a show for those that visit myspace.com?

The fourth photo is most concerning and useful for my research on this topic. To remind myself of the question I am trying to answer:

Does hip hop music glamorise gun crime for teenagers?

Judging by this fourth photo I believe that hip hop music has glamorised gun crime for this teenager, purely because he is displaying his weapon as an accessory rather than a dangerous tool. By posing with the weapon he is promoting gun crime for others just as Tupac was promoting weapons as a fashion in his poster. This teenager's gun posession could be informing others that this type of defense is acceptable.

In considering the profile user's views so as not to take a biast opinion, he could possess the weapon as a means of protection and safety. His life may be threatened by others and so having a gun makes the teenager feel reasurred in the fact that he has the confidence to know that he can protect himself easily.

However...

...If this was a genuine reason for him owning a gun then why display yourself on a website for others to see as apposed to keeping the gun locked away.

For example in the video 'Bowling For Columbine' many individuals who confessed to having a gun said that it was stored in a place where only you know where it is in case of a situation where your life is endangered? They under no circumstances liked having a gun, but felt it necessary.

Nevertheless, I feel that this teen actually likes having a gun and is proud of owning it. Otherwise, why else pose with it?

Do you have any other reasons to help me believe otherwise?

An analysis of the hip hop artist's pose

Tupac
Tupac is considered by many teenagers as the dominant figure in the genre of hip hop music.

It therefore seems necessary for me to comment on this pose because it would have already been viewed by many teenagers, if not on posters on their bedroom walls to represent their favorite rap artist.

Clothing- Tupac is pictured wearing a beanie/ wolly hat, which would seem unoffensive to most of society.

However, because he has no clothes on his upper body many would regard this person as intimidating. In some respects because he is not wearing any clothes on the top half of his body it draws attention to the hat ontop of his head. Do you think there was a purpose for this? Or just because this is how he feels most comfortable or to conform to the stereotypical dress of a 'gangster.'

Chain- Many hip hop idols like to display their wealth however it has now gone from one extreem to another in modern society. Hip hop artists not only are pictured posing with 'bling' (urban terminology) but now have encrusted diamonds moulded onto utensils such as glasses. So by Tupac originally posing with just a think silver chain to promote his wealth he has inspired many others in his line of work to carry on this tradition to a further extent.

So, if hip hop artists themselves are influenced by what others in the same line of work have achieved, this of course is going to have an impact on teenagers who look up to particular hip hop artists as their idols.

Physique- Tupac's body is toned/ muscular which portrays an element of strength which allows him to have a high defense mechansim whilst his figure could also act as a deterrrent for potential attackers. However, if his physique acts as a deterrent why does he need to protect himself even further by carrying a gun? (tucked into his jeans)
His shape also conforms to the stereotype of a 'typical hip hop artist.'

Tatoos- Also displays strength to an extent, but the meaning of the words printed across his stomach is more interesting to examine. 'Thug Life' with the letters all in upper case exaggerates Tupac's own hardship endured throughout his life. So by writing these words, Tupac has ultimately portrayed his whole lifestyle to the public and his fans, as if to promote this type of lifestyle as attractive.

Gesture- Tupac's derogative hand gestures simply protrays swearing as acceptable for many vulnerable teenagers that will be easily influenced.

Gun- The positioning of Tupac's weapon reinforces the dominant ideology in society "keep your most sacred posessions close to you at all times." Whilst Tupac is trying to express the importance of his weapon to him, the belt strapped around his waist, holding in the gun is also suggestive of the significance of the weapon. As if he would be lost without it, Tupac's belt secures his gun in a fixed position.


Do you agree or disagree with my comments?

Do you have anything to add to my analysis?

Why do you think many hip hop artists are associated with gun crime?

Well there are several answers to this question. Many hip hop artists believe they have to conform to the stereotype of an 'american gangster.'

Definition of a stereotypical gagster

"A member of an organized group of criminals; a racketeer."
"A member of a gang of delinquents."

Without necessarily commiting crime, they are promoting it to a certain extent purely by posing with offensive weapons.

Do you think that teenagers are influenced to commit crime by associating their favourite hip hop artist with gun crime?

Does hip hop music glamorise gun crime for teenagers?

I have created this blog to help me with my media exam in June and would be greatful for your comments and opinions. My topic is on 'Children and The Media' and my main focus is to answer the question, considering all aspects.

My question is....

Does hip hop music glamorise gun crime for teenagers?

There is a lot of publicity of hip hop idols posing with guns and other offensive weapons on album covers. Many hip hop artists are pictured on album covers and billboards posing as if to promote guns as a desired accessory as shown in the pictures below.

• What are your impressions of these hip hop artists posing with these weapons in this fashion?

• Do you think these artists are promoting gun crime in this way?