Gangstas,+Thugs,+and+Hustlas+Identity+and+the+Code+of+the+Street+in+Rap+Music

Kubrin, Charis E. “Gangstas, Thugs, and Hustlas: Identity and the Code of the Street in Rap Music.” Social Problems, vol. 52, no. 3, 2005, pp. 360–378. In the 1980-1990s, the N-word was no longer used by Caucasians, it was instead re-appropriated by African Americans through music and media, as another form of the word brother or friend. In hip-hop and rap music, the N-word was changed from use as an insult to a colloquial term used among African Americans in reference to each other, taking the place of terms such as “bro” or “homie.” Even though this word has been re-appropriated, looking at rap music it is still used in conjunction with heavy violence and destructive behavior as used in these lyrics: We gon’ hang niggas We gon’ bang niggas We gon’ slang niggas. (Kubrin 370; Master P, “Till We Dead and Gone”) The word nigga used in music, shows the use of the word to bring about and depict a violent nature, in its everyday listeners. This been used in direct relation with heavy gang violence and to belittle rival gangs, reverting the N-word back to its original negative connotation.