N.W.A (N##### Wit Attitudes) shocked the system in the late 1980s with their provocative lyrics about police brutality, street life and drug dealing. Did the group have a direct impact on spreading the gangsta lifestyle? N.W.A’s Ice Cube addressed that question.
On September 25, Ice Cube requested that his X followers ask him questions on the platform. One user wanted to know if N.W.A. played a role in destroying “conscious rap” and promoting sex, violence and gangster behavior to young people.
Another person on X replied, “Crack and [heroin] flooded every economically challenged part of the country, but you want to blame music?” That comment led to someone else posting, “Unfortunately music did play a part with the crack being pumped into our Black and Latino neighborhoods.”
Ice Cube eventually saw the exchange taking place in his replies and decided to add his own response to the conversation. The founder of the Big3 basketball league quote-tweeted the @DocNice70 account and called their opinion nonsense.
“B#######,” Cube fired back. “Crack was in the neighborhoods a decade before Gangsta Rap. In the 70s, they called it freebase. So was [heroin], weed, Mollys, gangbanging, drive-bys, pimping and [hoeing], dropping out of school, young girls getting pregnant, cussing and the using the word N####. It was all here before N.W.A.”
The AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted album creator continued to debate the topic. At one point, Cube pointed out crime-themed movies from the 1970s such as The Godfather and The Mack. He also pushed back on the idea that Gangsta Rap or Drill Rap influences violent actions.
“Violence was there before Drill Rap. If it was no Gangsta Rap or Drill Rap, the violence would still be there. We understand right from wrong at the very early age. Some grow up and choose violence. Been that way for centuries,” tweeted Ice Cube.
Additionally, the rapper/actor pointed out that Gangsta Rap “developed many new Black businesses in entertainment.” Cube then touched on how the Hip-Hop sub-genre created jobs for Black workers and provided global opportunities for many Black individuals.
B#######. Crack was in the neighborhoods a decade before gangsta rap. In the 70s they called it freebase. So was heroine, weed, Mollys, gangbanging, drive bys, pimping and hoing, dropping out of school, young girls getting pregnant, cussing and the using the word N####. It was… https://t.co/XK5QAdWRnU
— Ice Cube (@icecube) September 28, 2023
Which movie you talking about The Godfather (1972) or The Mack (1973)? https://t.co/JqTasx7NHz
— Ice Cube (@icecube) September 29, 2023
With no gangster rap around, who inspired the mafia that made Francis make a movie like The Godfather (which is a period piece)?
— Ice Cube (@icecube) September 29, 2023
Who has the power to mainstream anything?
3 generation? Who f##### up the 10 generation before gangsta rap?
Social has always been a ugly, sir.
And… https://t.co/UpSoSfR0zv
Violence was there before Drill Rap. If it was no Gangsta Rap or Drill Rap, the violence would still be there. We understand right from wrong at the very early age. Some grow up and choose violence. Been that way for centuries. https://t.co/GCTcd1Ry0g
— Ice Cube (@icecube) September 29, 2023
Yes. It’s still an art form that help developed many new black businesses in entertainment. Production companies, video companies, concert promoters, security companies, management companies, graphic companies, magazines, movie production companies, clothing companies not to… https://t.co/ny06GmfyzU
— Ice Cube (@icecube) September 29, 2023