Why Gangsta rap gives me the blues

I guess the same scenario has been repeated for generations, from Elvis Presley to Public Enemy. Over the last 60 years, since the emergence of contemporary music, as we get older we ask the question, am I missing something here? Is this their rites of passage that will eventually ensure they become full and rounded citizens? I'd like to think so, but I'm not at all sure.

In recent times, hip-hop and elements of R&B have become increasingly Profane with lyrics that are just plain nasty, these records are backed up with videos that leave nothing to the young imagination and seek only to glorify the hedonistic pleasures of a million dollar star who has a custom made Ferrari and a platinum coated ego. Violence, sex and money brought together in a misogynist articulation of greed, selfishness and violence.

I know that comments about the So Solid Crew from commentators such as Lee Jasper (Race Advisor to Mayor Ken Livingstone) caused some excited debate about the art form and the social responsibility of both the artists and performers. The point he was trying to make was that lyrics which glorify violence, and in particular gun violence, need to be qualified with a strong health warning that states very clearly: 'it's not for real'. A reasonable point, although having a warning sign would probably attract an even more negative attention.

What is without doubt however, is the fact that top selling artists have much more influence on young people than politicians could dream of having. These artist could, if they so wished, tell their audience that their music reflects aspects of life in general and not their personal beliefs. Recently, Minister Farrakhan went one step further. Inviting some of the biggest Rap artist to a conference in New York he first applauded their energy and brilliance, before telling them they had a responsibility to positively raise the water level for Black people with their music.

Some performers don't need telling. Lauryn Hill, Mos Def and Ms Dynamite, this year's British R&B sensation, have always sought to deliver a positive, empowering message for Black youths, without losing the urban edge that resonates with an often angry community. These were some of the issues that were debated at the Black Music Congress event yesterday [Saturday] which looked at contemporary pop.

Of course artists need to bear some of the responsibility for their lyrics, their behaviour and public comments. But we must also remember that these are young Black kids, in the main, do not come equipped with the necessary experience to recognise exploitation glossed over with fat cheques, limos and wall-to-wall press coverage. Quite simply record companies are manipulating Black youth into a saleable stereotype to hype record sales.

These record companies are encouraging their artists to live out a gangster lifestyle, rubbing their hands as their artists make the headlines. The marketing of Black music rap, hip hop and R&B repackage negative images, and those of us who lack sufficient consciousness or experience, can become seduced into acting out their stereotypical fantasies or worst nightmares whilst they get rich.

And believe me, it is a short-term economy - examine the Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls history. Live fast, get rich, die young are the basic tenants of the gangster rap philosophy. The routine violence that comes with ignorance and poverty is promoted, marketed and cashed in on, by record companies who will dump these kids as soon as the fine line between celebrity notoriety and criminal liability is crossed.

It is the continuation of that exploitation through multi-million record companies who are selling stereotypical caricatures of ourselves back to us and making millions. Let's return to the tradition of struggle and the project of freedom and equality. Do they reinvest in the ghettos where they recruit their young stars? No, they are simply not interested in corporate social responsibility or supporting Black communities combat racism. Sadly, it seems they are just interested in promoting the stereotype - singers with gold chains surrounded by semi-naked young girls and fast cars.