Danielle Ward_HIP HOP INFLUENCE.pdf

8/10/2019 Danielle Ward_HIP HOP INFLUENCE.pdf

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Student Name: Danielle Ward

Student Number: 18022885

Degree Route: Criminology and Psychology

Supervisor: Jean Henderson

The influence of the hip-hop lifestyle onthe

possession and use of weapons by young

male gang members in the UK.

Confirmation:

I confirm that this is my own work and that all sources used have beenfully acknowledged and referenced in the prescribed manner.

Student signature:


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- Abstract -

Following the recent media interest over the apparent increase of gang violence and

weapon use, and the government initiatives aimed at curbing gang involvement, it seems

that any influencing factors must be acknowledged in order to effectively tackle the issue.

This paper explores the supposed influence that hip-hop has on young male gang

members and their willingness to carry and use weapons. A systematic review of the

literature and a qualitative content analysis of six hip-hop songs from the last decade

confirm that three prominent themes are consistent with both the attitudes and behaviours

expressed by young people, and the music that they might listen to. These themes are

drug-dealing, territoriality, and at the heart of the majority of literature and hip-hop songs,

as well as the activities that young male gang members engage in, is the need for social

identity in the form of street-cred, status, power and most importantly, respect.


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- Acknowledgements -

First and foremost, I would like to thank my dissertation tutor, Jean Henderson for all of

the support and help she has given over the last year, and for her positivity which helped

me to stay calm in times of doubt and uncertainty.

Many thanks to my boyfriend, Jamie Dunn, for telling me off whenever I got distracted,

and for being incredibly supportive even when he was the target of my stress and

frustration. Many thanks also go to my housemates; Hannah Daykin, Sophie Wormleighton,

Dani Hammond, Jess Richardson and Philippa Watson, for being great distractions when

needed, but also in making my university experience what it was.

Finally, a huge thank you to my family; Adrian, Gaynor and Lee for their love and support

throughout the whole three years.


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- Contents -

Introduction........................................................................................................5

Chapter 1: Literature Review........................................................................8

Background....................................................................................8

The Problem with Definition.........................................................10

The UKs New Gang Culture......................................................11

Gang Membership.......................................................................12

Possession and the Violent Use of Weapons..............................13

The Influence of Hip-Hop.............................................................14

Chapter 2: The Research Process...........................................................17

Methodological Approach............................................................17

Research Design.........................................................................18

Analysis.......................................................................................19

Ethical Considerations.................................................................20

Chapter 3: Analysis and Discussion.......................................................22

Analysis of Song Lyrics.........................................................23

Discussion................................................................................25

Street-cred status, power and respect..........................25

Drug dealingfast cars, fast money...............................28

Territorialitya way of life...............................................31

Chapter 4: Conclusion.................................................................................34

References........................................................................................................37

Appendix...........................................................................................................44


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- Introduction -

For the majority of the last Century, a great deal of interest regarding UK gangs and their

attitudes, behaviours and activities has emerged in the form of research and theory, and

more recently government reports and media speculation. Reports of postcode gang

violence (Crerar, 2011) and gangland feud[s] (Doward and Jayahama, 2010), have

instilled fear into the public, and the murders of several innocent young people involving

weapons in the last decade, such as Rhys Jones, Danielle Beccan, and Charlene Ellis and

Latisha Shakespeare, has highlighted the true extent of the problem. This in turn has led to

government initiatives, including the most recent Gang Injunction (part 4, section 34,

Policing and Crime Act, 2009) aimed at preventing young people from engaging in,

encouraging or assisting gang-related violence.

Research shows that gang members are not only more likely to be violent than non-gang

members, but are also more likely to carry and use weapons such and knives or guns (e.g.

Association of Chief Police Officers, 2007; Bellair and McNulty, 2009; Pickle, 2009), and

hip-hop music and rap artists tend to be classed as the main influence by politicians and the

media. However, when looking to academic or government research to support this, the

effect of hip-hop is often rejected with little or no evidence to support the dismissal. Could it

therefore be that claims made by politicians and the media are ungrounded? Studies in

America (Kubrin, 2005) and Canada (Miranda and Claes, 2004) suggest that some of the

themes in rap song lyrics were often reflected in the behaviours of deviant youth, therefore

suggesting a relationship between the two. However, no such research has been

conducted in the UK.

In response to this, the present study wishes to develop an understanding of whether

there is a realistic link between the street gang culture in the UK and the hip hop lifestyle

that, according to politicians and the media, influences young gang members to engage in

the possession and violent use of weapons. Therefore, the research question that the

author aims to answer is;

Does the 'hip-hop lifestyle' influence the possession and violent use of

weapons by young male street gang members in the United Kingdom?


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Ultimately, this paper sets out to explore if weapon use and possession is really

glamorised by the hip-hop lifestyle, or whether such suggestions from politicians and the

media are unjustified. The author also aims to;

find out if gang attitudes, beliefs and behaviours can be attributed to the hip -hop

lifestyle;

establish whether prominent behaviours in the literature and song lyrics are

associated with the use of violence and weapons;

and

to apply theory to certain attitudes and behaviours that are associated with gangs

to provide a more holistic approach to gang behaviours.

The author attempts to respond to these aims through the means of a qualitative analysis

and discussion of academic literature, government reports and media articles, as well as a

small scale analysis of some of the hip-hop, rap and grime songs that young gang

members may listen to. Chapter 1 provides a review of the background of gang research

and theory, while discussing why research from America may not apply to the gang

phenomenon in the UK. This is followed by discussing and outlining the definition that this

paper will use as the framework for the remainder of the study. From this, the UKs new

gang culture is discussed along with the literature surrounding the reasons for gang

membership, the possession and use of weapons, and the potential influence of hip-hop.

Chapter 2 outlines the approach that has been taken during the research process, including

the research design and the analyses to be used, followed by a discussion of the ethical

considerations that arose when designing the research study. Chapter 3 discusses the

analysis of the song lyrics and the prominent themes that have emerged following a

thematic content analysis of the literature. All three have been discussed with regards to

how hip-hop may have an influence when considering the possession and use of weapons.

The first theme is the need for street cred, status, power and respect, which is discussed

in relation to social identity theory and theories of masculinity. Secondly, drug dealing is

discussed through rational choice theory, and strainand differential association theories.


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Finally the issue of protecting territory is discussed through the lens of social capital theory

and social learning theory.

The author concludes that after an extensive exploration into the literature and a small-

scale analysis of six hip-hop songs, it seems that the hip-hop lifestyle can be accountable

to some degree for the influence it has on the attitudes, behaviours and activities of young

gang members. The current study also adds to the research into gang membership by

suggesting that the hip-hop lifestyle may act as an influence to join a gang, while also

providing a basis for future primary research into the reasons for gang membership and the

influences of social factors.


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- Chapter 1 -

A review of the literature

The following chapter explores the literature surrounding gangs, violence and weapons,

and the influence that hip-hop may have on this type of behaviour in young males.

Government reports, research studies and newspaper articles have been examined and

reviewed in order to paint a picture of the current state of the UK regarding the reported

increase in gang violence. Following a glance at the background research into gangs, the

issue of a suitable definition for the term gang is briefly discussed in order to provide a

framework for the remainder of this paper. This will be followed by a discussion of the

literature surrounding the current gang phenomena, the reasons for gang membership, and

then the prevalence of the possession and the violent use of weapons by young people.

Finally, the inconsistencies between academic literature and the media with regards to the

influence of the hip-hop lifestyle on young male gang members will be discussed.

Background

In their study into gang membership and crime in the UK, Bennett and Holloway (2004a)

found evidence from national newspapers and government reports to suggest that the

number of gangs in the UK is increasing, along with the number of gang members. They

argued that with the apparent increase of violent offending and the possession and use of

guns, British gangs were not too dissimilar to the American stereotype that is often rejected

by the UK literature. Despite this, early research into youth groups and gangs (e.g. Downes,

1966) showed that findings from American research could not be generalised to the rising

youth culture in Britain.

The study of youth groups and gangs has been has been a focus point for subcultural

theorists in America for almost a Century. Thrashers (1927: cited in Schneider and Tilley,

2004) research into gangs in Chicago provides what is often cited to be the first systematic

study into gang culture phenomena. After this, research by the likes of subculture theorist

Merton (1938), and his students Cohen (1955) and Cloward and Ohlin (1961) became

incredibly influential in later research into delinquent groups. Mertons (1938) Social

Structure and Anomie thesis proposed that at the forefront of everyones aspirations was


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the American Dream. However, not all means of acquiring this, such as education, were

accessible to some people which in turn led to a sense of anomie. This feeling of strain

resulted in deviant behaviours such as petty crime and violence by the young working-class

males who felt most affected. Cohen (1955) extending the notion of social structure and

anomie by explaining that in order to explain that non-instrumental vandalism and violence

was due to status frustration. The individuals who felt such frustration would gravitate

towards one another to establish new norms, [and] new criteria of status (pp.66), which

ultimately formed a delinquent subculture.Cloward and Ohlin (1961) extended this further

by highlighting that everyone has access to legitimate and illegitimate opportunities, and

suggested three types of subculture. The criminal subculture was described as a group

with close bonds, who rely on theft and extortion as a means of acquiring a secure income.

the retreatist subculture fail to find legitimate or illegitimate means in order to succeed, and

so turn to alcohol or drug abuse, while the conflict culture is a type of gang in which the

manipulation of violence predominates as a way of winning status (pp.1). This last

description is most relevant to the current paper, although it is understood that a UK

definition may be more relevant.

Subcultural theorists in the UK struck an interest in gang research following the

emergence of youth subcultures during the 1950s. However, early research suggested

that violent street gangs were non-existent. Downes (1966) systematic review of the

admittedly sparse literature, found no evidence to suggest that Cloward and Ohlins (1961)

criminal-, retreatist- or conflict cultures existed in the UK, adding that youth groups

lacked the structured cohesion that their American counter-subjects boasted. Downes also

found little evidence to support Cohens (1955) notion of status frustration, but admitted

that by conducting his study in only one borough meant that his findings may not be

generalised to the rest of the UK. Despite this, he concluded that research into gang

delinquency in this country is [...] a fair reflection of its absence (pp.116). Further to this,

Campbell et al (1982) held the firm belief that the gang belonged to America while the UK

held host to subcultures. As a result, it was felt that a separate definition for youth gangs in

the UK would need to be developed in order to provide a framework for future research.


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The Problem with Definition

The issue of definition surrounding the term gang is one that remains dominant among

the majority of UK based literature (e.g. Bennett and Holloway, 2004a; Wood and Alleyne,

2009). While most early definitions have been developed with reference to Americas

understanding of gang characteristics (Fitch, 2009), it is argued that a new definition should

accompany the new gang culture in the UK. Ball and Curry (1995) investigated the logic

behind some American definitions of the term gang,and noted that while it is easy enough

to identify a gang, the real issue arises when attempting to establish a definition. The

authors concluded that although old definitions are often acceptable, new definitions are

always necessary due to sociological, political and cultural changes that affect the

phenomenon, or in order to fit the purpose for which the definition is required. Despite this

conclusion, many academics and government organisations agree that a fixed definition is

essential in order to develop policy or to further develop gang research. For example, the

Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) state that an agreed definition of gangs on

which to base data collection (2007: 14) was non-existent, and so it is diff icult to determine

the proportion of crime that can be attributed to gangs.

Marshall et al (2005), along with the Metropolitan Police Service (2008), strongly believe

that the term gang cannot be used to describe all aspects of the phenomena. They instead

suggest that a three-tiered typology, consisting of peer groups, gangs and organised

crime networks is more appropriate method to determine the type of gang that is being

researched. Hallsworth and Youngs Urban Collective paper for the Metropolitan Police

Service (cited in Marshall et al, 2005: 16), provides the following description of a gang,

which will serve as the definition for the remainder of this paper. They describe the gang

as:

Relatively durable, predominantly street based groups of young people who see

themselves (and are seen by others) as a discernible group for whom crime and

violence is integral to the groups identity.

The Metropolitan Police Service (2008) also identify several other factors that differentiate

a gang from relatively small, unorganised and transient peer groups, such as a name, an


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organisable structure, and the use of violence and delinquent behaviour to promote group

identity and to acquire social capital.

This up-to-date definition will provide a framework for the remainder of this paper in terms

of distinguishing between the literature that surrounds gangs everyday peer groups.

The UKs New Gang Culture

Professional academics, government officials and the media have all, at some point,

noted their concern about the growing perception of the evolving gang culture in the UK.

While some academics argue that the gang problem is over-sensationalised by the media

(Alexander, 2008), others suggest that the need to understand and tackle gang violence is

more important now than ever before (Bullock and Tilley, 2008).

Heale (2008: xii) noted that youth street gangs have been particularly highlighted in the

UK since 2007, following the medias outcry regarding the increase in the number high

profile gang related killings and the brutality and callousness of the attacks. Headlines

such as; Boy, 14, is latest victim of gang violence (Brown, 2007) and Gang war probe

after girl, five, shot in [...] shop (BBC News, 2011), seem to dominate the newspapers. The

fatal shooting of an innocent eleven year old in Liverpool in 2007 is just one example that

caught the medias attention, where it emerged that Rhys Jones was shot by another youth

who was supposedly aiming at rival gang members (Carter, 2008). The media frenzy that

followed suggested that this particular case was revenge for the murder of another youth a

year earlier, and that gang warfare was subsequently sweeping through Liverpool (Heale,

2008). The cases of American style drive-by-shootings that resulted in the tragic deaths of

Danielle Beccan in Nottingham in 2004, and Charlene Ellis and Latisha Shakespeare in

Birmingham in 2003 (McLagen, 2009) also attracted vast amounts of media attention. This

alone suggested to the public that UK gangs were becoming a lot more like their American

counterparts. However, despite the evidence of gang violence taking place, academics

often criticise the media for focusing on the dramatic consequences of gang violence

(Fitch, 2009: 2) while exaggerating the true extent of the gang problem, claiming that such

sensationalism results in a disproportionate fear of crime (Samota, foreword in Alexander,

2008).


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So what is the true state of the new gang culture in the UK? It is estimated that over

30,000 young people are involved in gangs in England and Wales alone, with the average

age of members supposedly descreasing (Deuchar, 2008). Deuchar also suggested that

gang members tend to be predominantly from black or minority ethnic groups, although

Bennett and Holloway (2004a) found that the majority of the gang members in their

research study were white, followed by Caribbean and Bangladeshi. Such inconsistencies

in the literature surrounding the dominant race and ethnicity of gangs, suggests to the

author that race is not an important factor in determining the characteristics of gang

members. Therefore, race and ethnicity will not be specified in the current study. Bennett

and Holloway also found that the majority of gang members were male, and so the current

research will focus on male gang members.

Of the ever-growing amount of literature based on gangs, as well as looking at the

characteristics of gangs, a large proportion is devoted to the reasons whyyoung people join

gangs.

Gang Membership

Young people, most notably males, are thought to seek gang membership for a variety of

social and psychological reasons (Bennett and Holloway, 2004a). Harris et al (2011)

suggests that some of the psychological motivations associated with gang membership

include; the desire for money, to acquire status and respect, for the feeling of

connectedness and belonging, and to obtain the perceived protection that the gang

supposedly offers from victimisation. This is particularly thought to be the case when there

is little or no effective support from social agencies (e.g. parent, teachers or police). Several

other studies have focused more heavily on sociological or criminological motivations. The

study by the NASUWT Teachers Union (2009) found that an absence or lack of positive

role models could mean that young people may look towards more accessible role models

when building a social identity. Findings from the study also suggested that young people

broken families often sought father-figures in the form of gang members or looked up to

older family members who may be involved in gangs. Wood and Alleyne (2009) also found

evidence that gang membership offers social support where it may be lacking in a familial


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environment, as well as protection from other gang members, the chance to acquire a

powerful status among peers, and the opportunity for excitement where day-to-day life may

usually be filled by boredom. Others suggest that gang membership is sought by young

people as a response to being excluded and alienated from mainstream society, particular

from education and employment (Marshall et al, 2005; Pickles, 2009).

While the reasons above offer an explanation as to why young people join gangs, it does

not outline the specific features of gang-member characteristics. However, evidence

suggests that gang members tend to be male, criminally active, involved in drug supply,

and more likely to carry weapons (e.g. Bennett and Holloway, 2004a)

Possession and the Violent Use of Weapons

A significant proportion of the literature that surround young people and youth gangs in

the UK focuses on possession and use of weapons (e.g. Bullock and Tilley, 2002; Bennett

and Holloway, 2004b; Marshall et al, 2005). Research by Lemos (2004) found that some

young people were likely to carry weapons through fear of being attacked by other gang

members or more worryingly because they associated it with being cool. This was also

reflected in Kinsellas (2011) report for the government, following the murderof her brother

Ben during a knife attack in 2008. Through visiting several projects across the country,

Kinsella found two prominent motivational factors that were highlighted in each project.

Those were fear and fashion. Some young people in the projects explained that they

carried knives because they feared that others were also weapons, and so felt it necessary

to carry knifes as a method of self-protection. More worryingly, others suggested that

carrying a weapon is a fashionable or a cool thing to do (pp.2). A large amount of the

recent research into gangs has noted the relationship between firearms and gangs (Squires

et al, 2008), and it appears that the number of gang-related incidents reported in the press

seem to be increasing. However, it is difficult to determine how much weaponised crime

can be attributed to gangs. Evidence from Bullock and Tilleys (2002) report suggests that

60% of firearm injuries in Manchester alone could be accounted for by gangs. Meanwhile,

Home Office statistics for firearm offences 2009/10 reported a 5% increase of injuries as a

result of firearms from the previous year, from 2,458 in 2008/09 to 2,574, although these


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figures actually follow a 41% fall from the previous year (Smith et al, 2011). It is also

important to point out that the Home Office definition of firearm enabled crime includes the

use of CS spray, pepper spray and stun guns (ACPO, 2007), while Marshall et al (2005)

notes that the increasing numbers of incidents involving imitation weapons are also

recorded as firearm statistics. It is therefore suggested that research concerning the use of

weapons should approach government statistics with caution.

The increase of young people carrying knives is also concerning. Marshall et al (2005)

found that 28% of school children admitted to carrying a knife to school. Furthermore,

Berman (2010) reported that in 2008, 6,368 offenders were found guilty of possession of a

knife in a public place, including schools, in England and Wales. While this figure is not

specific to young people, it still provides a worrying insight into the number of children who

may carry knives, especially in schools.

From this evidence alone, the need to establish what may be influencing young gang

members to carry and even use weapons seems to be the most logical starting point in the

attempt to curb gang violence.

The Influence of Hip-Hop

One factor that is commonly held responsible for the increase in gang violence is the hip-

hop culture, and the influence it may have on young people. In 2006 at the British Society of

Magazine Editors, David Cameron was reported to have asked the BBCs Radio 1 station;

"Do you realise some of the stuff you play on Saturday nights encourages

people to carry guns and knives?"

(Caesar, 2007).

Additionally, in Sally Pooks (2003) article for The Telegraph Rap music glamorises gun

violence David Blunkett supposedly told listeners during a radio discussion that idiots

like the So Solid Crew are glorifying gun culture and violence. Unsurprising, as only a year

before, member of the crew, Ashley Walters, was sentenced to 18 months in a young

offenders institute for possession of a firearm (ONeill, 2002). Despite this preconception

that rap music and the hip-hop lifestyle glamorises gangs and violence, very little research

on the subject has been done in the United Kingdom.


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Of the literature read so far, UK based research has been quick to dismiss the effect of

rap music on violence and the use of weapons by young gang members. For example,

Hallsworth and Silverstone (2009) suggest that style and music do not define the

relationships between the individuals and the violence they do, or the weapons they carry

(pg.362), yet offer no empirical support for this statement. However, they do suggest that

those who carry guns tend to adopt a particular style that is presumably influenced by

American hip hop. In Heales (2008) research into the UK gang culture, one youth worker

attempted explain that rap music was not responsible for youth gang violence:

The music coming from the headphones is not rap its grime. It has a

thumping fast beat and intense, aggressive lyrics. The rapper says that

anyone who beefs him will be killed: hell merk anyone

(pp.52)

While literature from the UK regarding the effect of rap music genres on deviant behaviour

in adolescence is sparse, academics in America and Canada have approached the subject

area in recent years. Miranda and Claes (2004) looked into a possible link between

preference of rap genres and self-reported deviant behaviours (violence, theft, street gang

involvement, mild drug use, and hard drug use) in French-Canadian adolescents, and found

that despite controlling for peers deviancy, violent media consumption and importance

given to lyrics, a significant link was still found between rap music and deviant behaviour.

However, despite these findings, they found no relationship between gangster rap and

street gang involvement. This in turn would suggest a need for future research in order to

completely out-rule the commonly held perception of the association between the two.

Kubrins (2005) study approached the issue of rap music lyrics and how they may have an

effect on American adolescents through a content analysis of rap songs in America. She

also addressed the use of guns, suggesting that the gun becomes a symbol of power and

a remedy for disputes (pp.363). Both Kubrin, and Miranda and Claes found evidence that

young people joined street gangs in order to acquire status and a social identity, as was

stated in the music they listen to. However due to these studyies being American and

Canadian, it is possible that the findings cannot be generalised to young street gangs in the

UK. The author of the present study therefore suggests that more research is needed in


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order to establish whether there is a relationship between hip-hop and gang attitudes and

behaviour in the UK.


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- Chapter 2 -

The Research Process

This section explains the methodological approach that the following research has

adopted in order to explore the relationship between the hip-hop lifestyle and the

possession and use of weapons by young male street gang members.

A systematic review of the literature and a qualitative content analysis of six songs from

the last decade has been conducted by the author to establish if such a relationship exists

in the UK. The present study takes an interpretivist epistemological position due to the fact

that knowledge has been formulated by the researcher through an analysis of available

research and theory while respecting that young people are independent of their social

settings and the objects around them. Through a constructionist ontology, it is implied that

the use of weapons by gang members is influenced by the hip-hop lifestyle but due to

popular music being an ever-evolving phenomenon, this idea will be in a constant state of

revision (Bryman, 2008: 19).

Methodological Approach

After reviewing the literature, a qualitative research study was initially considered as a

means of gathering raw data in order to answer the central research question. The majority

of government and academic research into gangs and the possession and use of weapons

takes the form of qualitative surveys, interviews or focus groups with current or previous

gang members and offendersan approach that is often seen in administrative criminology

(Jupp, 1989). Meanwhile, theory-generating research into gangs is often conducted by

means of ethnographic observation of deviant groups by cultural criminologists (Ellis et al,

2010). With this is mind, it would be both difficult and potentially dangerous as an

undergraduate student to attempt to replicate either of these types of primary research, not

to mention the implications regarding a lack of time and the potential costs of a large scale

survey or observation. Quantitative statistic-generating research was also considered, but it

was decided that this type of study would be unsuitable when attempting to find out whether

the behaviour of individuals within a group is affected by external factors. By conducting a


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qualitative literature-based dissertation, the need for integrated theory in the study of gangs

and weapon use can be responded to.

Although the main limitation of this type of research is that the reading process is

incredibly time consuming, quality control and the discretion of the researcher means that

only relevant data will be used.

Research Design

The research design of the present study takes the form of a systematic review and

discussion of the literature. The author has reviewed government reports, published texts

and journal articles on the subject of gangs and violence involving weapons by young

males from the last decade. While the majority of research surrounding the possession and

use of weapons by gang members focuses on firearms and knives, the present study is

concerned with all weapons, including blunt objects. The materials that have been selected

for review are deemed to be trustworthy sources, although secondary data has been used

with caution as it is acknowledged that the original study may have been conducted for

reasons other than the purpose of this dissertation. An element of primary research has

also been conducted in the form of a small-scale qualitative content analysis of six UK hip-

hop songs.

The strengths of literature-based research fall mainly with the fact that by analysing data

that is already available, potentially expensive and time-consuming research has already

been done. The potential harm and risk involved in conducting primary research is also

minimised as there will be no contact with current or previous offenders who are currently of

have been involved in gangs and crimes involving weapons. This type of research is also

deemed to be incredibly valuable in terms of policy development and when formulating

intervention programmes (Bryman, 2008). However by not conducting primary research,

there is no control over the variables and so it is acknowledged that the rationale may be

different to the present study. The researcher has therefore made a conscious effort not to

manipulate the literature to support the hypothesis of the present study.

Of the six hip-hop songs that have been analysed, three are thought to demonstrate how

the hip-hop lifestyle may influence the behaviour of young male gang members,

particularly with regards to the use and possession of weapons. Two are considered to


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acknowledge social exclusion as a reason for delinquency, and a f inal song refers to strong

family connections and reminisces about youth. The last three songs have been chosen to

determine whether aspects of songs that do not glamorise gangs and violence are also

present in the lives of young male gang members. The song lyrics were obtained from an

online song lyric databases (www.lyricsmode.com; www.sweetslyrics.com;

www.uppercutmusic.com), and although the validity and reliability of the lyrics from such

databases are questionable, all of the songs that have been used for analysis were

compared with an official audio version found through YouTube (a video broadcasting

website). Any errors within the lyrics have been corrected by the author. In cases where the

words or language in the songs was not understood, the online Urban Dictionary has been

as a means of translation. By conducting a qualitative content analysis of the song lyrics of

rap/hip-hop music, the researcher has hoped to establish whether the genre can justifiably

be held responsible for the behaviour of young male gang members, or whether such

claims by the media are in fact ungrounded.

Analysis

A process of thematic analysis during a systematic review of the literature has highlighted

the apparent key themes by noting repetitions, and similarities and differences (Ryan and

Bernard, 2003) in the literature articles. These themes have been developed and discussed

in relation to theory in the following analysis chapters, which is justified as a response to

one of the most common recommendations in the literature; the need for more theory to

guide future research (Miranda and Claes, 2004; Hallsworth and Silverstone, 2009; Wood

and Alleyne, 2009).

Similar to Kubrins (2005) study, the song lyrics are first of all discussed in relation to the

themes that emerged from the thematic content analysis in order to evaluate whether or not

the violent use of weapons by young male gang members is present in the music that is

marketed to urban youth. This is followed by a discussion of each theme in relation to the

literature while integrating theory in order to provide a more holistic understanding of youth

attitudes and behaviour. Following the initial process of analysis in order to identify the

themes within the literature, a critical discussion of the findings has provided the basis for

recommendations for future research.


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By using these types of analyses, a rich and detailed account of the influence of the hip -

lifestyle on young gang members can be generated from the literature due to its flexible

nature (Braun and Clarke, 2006). The findings can also be generalised to the population of

young male gang members, despite the fact that generalising results is often criticised for

ignoring individual cases which could in turn reveal valuable contradictions or

(in)consistencies (Joffe and Yardley, 2004; Braun and Clarke, 2006).

Ethical Considerations

With regards to ethical considerations, this type of research does not involve as many

ethical issues as primary research. For example, the absence of participants means that

there is no need for informed consent and there are no issues regarding an invasion of

privacy or deception. There is also no need to cosider data protection or storage, due to the

fact that the research studies and reports have been published and are available to the

public.

The following ethical considerations relate to the present study, and are in keeping with

the British Society of Criminologys (BSC) Code of Ethics (2006). As mentioned above, the

physical and/or emotional well-beingof the researcher will be maintained as there is no

contact with past or current gang members (BSC, 3.ii). The BSC also states that

researchers should promote equal opportunity in all aspects of their professional work and

actively seek to avoid discriminatory behaviour (3.iv). While writing this paper, every effort

has been made by the author to correctly address young male gang members in terms of

age, gender and racial or ethnic group sensitively and by using non-biased language. The

views, beliefs and practices of young gang members have not been disrespected in any

way, as this dissertation is focused on developing a theoretical understanding of the

behaviour. Also, by conducting a systematic review of the literature and analysing it through

the themes that have been developed in the content analysis, arguments for and against

hip-hop influencing violence and weapon use have been established, and therefore the

views and practices of young gang members have not been disrespected.

With regards to participant consent (4.iii), young gang members (past or present) have

already consented to taking part in a published research study, and so any data from

interviews that have been conducted in previous studies is deemed acceptable to use as


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secondary data. However, if an entire data set was used for the present research, a

Research Ethics Committee would have been required to conduct an expedited review

(Economic and Social Research Council).

One of the major limitations with this type of research is that some sources - especially

internet sourcesmay not be reliable, so during the research phase, emphasis was placed

on using data and internet sources that are known to be reliable. In cases where perhaps

the reliability of internet materials was uncertain, such sources were approached with

caution as stated. Furthermore, a conscious effort has been made by the author not to

manipulate or misinterpret the findings to suit the research question. Further to this, no

preferential judgement has been made towards certain research findings in order to place

more weight on one side of an argument.

As stated in the BSC's Code of Ethics (3.iii) as being mandatory, all research papers,

theoretical articles and media articles have been appropriately referenced in order to give

the original author full credit for their work in the field.


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- Chapter 3 -

Analysis and Discussion

The following section provides a discussion of the music that young male gang members

may listen to and the literature that surrounds gang research. Each section is discussed in

relation to the themes that emerged from the systematic review of the litertaure. These are

street-cred, drug-dealing and territoriality.

First of all, a qualitative analysis of the song lyrics is discussed, with a focus on those that

appear to promote violence and weapons, and gang affiliation. Although this paper sets out

to establish whether it is the lifestyle that influences the violent use of weapons amongst

young male gang members, it is understood that such artists often project their lifestyle

choices and attitudes in their songs. After this, relevant literature will be discussed with

regards to the themes that became apparent following the thematic content analysis.

Theory will be integrated within the discussion in order to provide a more holistic

understanding of how the behaviour of young male gang members may be influenced by

the hip-hop lifestyle.

The first theme that will be discussed is one that is most prominent in literature concerning

gangs and the possession and violent use of weapons. The desire for street-cred,

including the acquisition of status, power and respect, is discussed in relation to Tajifal and

Turners (1985) social identity theory along with theories of masculinity. Secondly, drug

dealing as a means of making the money in order to acquire such status and to live the

hip-hop lifestyle is discussed with relevance to Cornish and Clarkes (1986) rational choice

theory, followed subcultural strain theories (Merton, 1938; Cohen, 1955; Cloward and

Ohline, 1961) and Sutherland and Cresseys (1970) theory of differential association.

Finally, the notion of protecting territory is discussed through the lens of social capital

theory, and Akers (1998) social learning theory.

While it is acknowledged by the author that the majority of the theories discussed in the

following chapter were founded in America, it is understood that they are also accepted as

being applicable to the UK. Any that are currently specific only to America have not been

discussed.


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Analysis of song lyrics

In order to establish whether hip-hop has an influence on the behaviour of young male

gang members, a small-scale qualitative analysis of the type of music that young gang

members might listen to has been conducted. Of the six songs analysed by the author,

three represent what are considered to be songs that glamorise gangs and violence

(appendix i-iii), while the other three look either at groups that are considered to be

excluded from society (appendix iv and v), or a reflection of being young, with reference to

family (appendix vi). From the qualitative thematic content analysis of the song lyrics, it was

established that two of the most prominent themes were the possession of weapons and

the willingness to use them along with violence, and drug-use and dealing. These were

either mentioned separately, or in connection with each other. Skepta (appendix i) and

Giggs (appendix ii) both referred to more commonly as grime artists,talk about owning the

best clothes and having the means to share drugs among friends so that they can party like

rock stars following their success as rap artists. While Skepta and Giggs draw attention to

being able to afford the drugs and having the ability to share among the crowd, Klashnekoff

(appendix iii) identifies with the men sellin rocks to make an earner, either in order to

acquire the means to live the hip-

hop lifestyle, or to simply get by.

Professor Green (appendix iv)

doesnt directly mention drug use

or dealing, but describes the

challenges faced when living in

Hackney in East London.

Professor Green describes

Hackney as a Jungle where

troubles what you find. Kids with sticks and knives, and theft in order to acquire material

goods is normalised - its how the majority of young people from the area have grown up.

The exposure to weapons and drugs is also highlighted in Devlins song, Community

Outcast (appendix iv), that represent[s] for the people who live amongst poverty as a

result of being socially excluded from society. Although there is no reference to drug

Professor GreenJungle. Gang members (actors)

brandish baseball bats at the camera (appendix iv).


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dealing in the song lyrics, scenes in the video suggest that drug dealing may be used as a

means of acquiring the funds to support the family.

Skepta, Giggs and Klashnekoffs songs all devote a large proportion of lyrics to the

possession and use of weapons, as well as violence. All three make a reference to at least

one particular type of gun that they previously or currently own, for example a Mac

(Skepta), a 4.5 (Giggs) or a Tek9 (Klashnekoff). Further reference is made to being

prepared to kill, for several reasons including being disrespected, and if other gang

members invade their territory. Skepta and Giggs both seem to brag about the amount of

guns they have in their songs. Giggs describes a weaponry orgy, and suggests that if he

is arrested for a murder then it could have been the man that had the weapon before .

Meanwhile, Skepta switch[es] clips like Hollowman switches chicks, meaning that he

switches his guns like Hollowman (a pseudonym for Giggs) switches his women.-

suggesting that weapons are often shared and used by multiple gang members. This is

synonymous with the ACPOs (2007) findings that firearms circulate for many years through

different gangs.

Another theme that developed through the analysis process was the need for social

identity and how in some cases being a rapper provided that. The rappers often cited the

groups that they are affiliated with, although the word gang is only used by Giggs when he

refers to his Black Gang (a name associated with the East London Peckham Boys).

Instead, the rappers prefer to use terms such as; crew or click. In other cases, the name

of the group is mentioned, presumably as a way of expressing that they are part of a group,

and therefore confirming their social identity. For example, Klashnekoff (appendix i) talks

about when men test the Terra Firma, while Skepta refers to SN1 (an abbreviation of

Spare No One), known as a group that areaffiliated with The Peckham Boys in London.

The idea that gangs tend not to refer to themselves as such is supported by Katz (1988:

115) who identified that so-called gang members claim they are part of organisations,

brotherhoods or crews as oppose to gangs, potentially due to the negative connotations

associated with the term gang. The need for social identity and respect is discussed in

more detail in the following section.


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The final song that has been analysed by the author, by Foreign Beggars, Ft Dr Syntax

(appendix vi), has not yet been mentioned in the discussion above. As mentioned earlier,

this song is a reflection of the rappers youth, in homage particularly to family members and

influential peers. The rapper reminisces about his childhood, first of all to his mama, then

to an old friend, and then about the first time he met a niece while informing her of her two

proud uncles who love [her]. While reference is made to selling personal belongings and

lying to his mother in order to acquire wealth, and blazing it beside the sea, the rapper

recognises that he has grown out of all delinquent behaviours, as is often suggested in the

literature (e.g. Youth Justice Board, 2007). This song does not glamorise gangs, violence or

weapons, but represents love for family, and recognising your roots. A strong family unit is

apparent to some extent in the literature, although usually in a negative way young males

will respond violently in response to honour attacks on family, such as insults or physical

attacks (Katz, 1988).

Discussion

Below is a discussion of the three most prominent themes that became apparent from the

systematic review of the literature. Each theme is discussed in relation to theory, with

examples from the findings of the analysis above.

Street-cred - status, power and respect

In the NASUWT Teachers Unions (2009) extensive study into gangs and schools, one of

the most highly cited suggestions by staff and pupils as to why young people joined gangs,

was the desire for street credibility, and the status, power and respect that comes with. This

evidence is supported by vast amounts of literature surrounding the reasons for gang

membership (e.g. Curry, 2004; Kubrin, 2005; Deuchar, 2008; Wood and Alleyne, 2009) and

furthermore by research into the motives behind possession and the violent use of weapons

(Lemos, 2004; ACPO, 2007; Squires, 2009; Kinsella, 2011). In Deuchars (2008) study of

gangs and marginalised youth in Glasgow, evidence suggested that some of the gang

members who were interviewed sought out gang membership as a means of acquiring

respect from others and the status that is associated with being in a gang. Some of the

other interviewees also acknowledged that a weapon would enhance that power. The


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ACPO (2007: 41) support this by highlighting the perception among peers that carrying a

firearm is associated with respect, following the attractive portrayals of a gangsta lifestyle

that are evident in films, fashion and more importantly, music. This is evident in the

literature as it is often reported that young gang members tend to adopt the American hip-

hop influenced fashion style (e.g. Deuchar, 2008; Hallsworth and Silverstone, 2009). The

desire for respect and status among young male gang members is not just demonstrated by

possessing weapons, but also though a willingness to use violence in order to protect

oneself or the gang (Bellair and McNulty, 2009), which is a concept that is clearly reflected

in the majority of the song lyrics above. This type of intergroup behaviour can be explained

by Tajifal and Turners (1986) social identity theorywhich looks at the identity of the group

as oppose to the individual. According to Hogg and Abram (1988), through this lens the

group provides a shared representation of how the individuals within it should behave, and

therefore the identity that the group as a whole portrays to others. A willingness to act

violently as a group is perceived to portray an image of toughness, and according to the

social identity theory, the individuals within a powerful group will also be regarded as tough.

One way of emphasising the groups identity is through discriminating against out-groups, a

notion that is supported by the findings of Sachdev and Bourhis (1985; 1991), who found

that members of more powerful groups tended to be more discriminatory towards out-

groups than other less-powerful groups. This notion in particular is highlighted in the songs

by Skepta, Giggs and Klashnekoff, where it is often stated that other groups should not

mess with them. This is often enforced with reference to weapons and the threat of violence

that the group will not hesitate to administer if they are challenged or disrespected.

Toch (1995, cited in Bennett and Brookman, 2009: 619) described the willingness to use

violence as a self-image promoting technique, which aimed to manufacture a formidable

and fearless masculine image whereby violence was a means of impressing an audience,

or self-image defending where males defend attacks on their masculinity, resulting in

violence in order to protect their self-image. Deuchar (2008: 96) also suggests how

recreational violence can be one way for young gang members to gain a sense of

empowerment in a society where they are socially excluded. This was supported by the

findings in Bennett and Brookmans (2009) study, whereby some of the young people who


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were interviewed admitted to taking part in street assaults in order to maintain a reputation

for toughness, gain respect from others, and to avoid being victimised by other gang

members. However, while these findings were described as most often being associated

with gangs, the study was not exclusive to youth gang-members.

The possession and use of weapons by young male gang members may also be

explained by the need to portray an image of hegemonic masculinity, which was described

by Antonio Gramsci (1978: 12) as the way in which the dominant group exercises

throughout society. Until recently, the use of violence has been a very masculine trait, but

an increase in the use of violence by women and young girls may have led to males

question how they might maintain the equation of masculinity (Cobbina et al, 2010: 596). It

may be for this reason that young male gang members have turned to the possession and

violent use of weapons in the UK. The use of violence in such a context is reflected by

Barker (2005: 71), who suggests that the characteristics of worldwide male gang members

is reflected in their willingness to use armed violence to achieve ones goal and the

propensity to use violence in minor altercations and insults if male honour is disrespected.

However, while protecting male honour is deemed to be an important characteristic of the

identity of gang members, it is possible that this is responsible for the majority of gang

violence. In the Dying to Belong paper that was fronted by the Gangs Working Group,

Pickles (2009) describes gang violence as a cycle, where those who seek the reputation

and the respect are most likely to be target of attack for others who desire respect. This in

turn would be classed as an insult of honour, which may result in a revenge attack, and so

on. As Pitts (2007: 47) suggests;

[...] to be disrespected is to be fair game for anyone who wants to make a

name for themselves.

The propensity to use potentially fatal violence if disrespected is mentioned in all three of

the songs above that are thought to glamorise gangs and weapons. For example, Giggs

(appendix ii) is aware that Bitch niggas [...] wanna beef [him] so they can tell [...] a story,

and so warns them to be easy Ill put your mans in a box (a coffin).

Yet another area where young males may feel they need to protect and maintain their

male honour is in areas of employment. While traditional means of acquiring wealth and


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status through hard-labour are being replaced with intellectual, emotion-wielding labour,

perceived elements of the hip-hop lifestyle, such as drug dealing may seem to some

young males to be a quick way to such symbols of wealth and power (Lammy, 2008) while

maintaining a masculine image.

Drug dealingfast cars, fast money

In the same article, Lammy (2008) suggests young males are at risk of developing

unhealthy attitudes towards sex, money and violence during adolesence, and it appears

that the media are quick to attribute the blame to hip-hop artists and rappers (e.g. Pook,

2003; Caesar, 2007). With hip-hop and rap artists seemingly bragging about sportin

Armarni (Giggs, appendix ii), having the pick of women, and making reference to how

many guns they own, its no wonder. While young people in the United Kingdom are not

short of positive role models such as sports personalities, it may be that young males from

certain social backgrounds feel they can only relate to those from similar backgroundsin

this case, rap and hip-hop artists. One way of acquiring the means to live the glamorous

hip-hop lifestyle is by selling drugs, and so it is assumed that young males may seek gang

membership as a means to do so. While it is accepted that not all gang members deal

drugs, and/or act violently, research suggests that gang members are more likely to be

involved in the drug market (Bennett and Holloway, 2004a), are more violent (Bellair and

McNulty, 2009), and more likely to carry weapons than non-gang members (Marshall et al,

2005; ACPO, 2007; Squires et al, 2008; Hallsworth and Silverstone, 2009). However, while

there is a vast amount of evidence to support the link between drug dealing and gangs, only

a small proportion of the literature, certainly in the UK and seemingly in America,

distinguishes between gang members who do sell drugs and those who dont. This begs

the argument that it may be the gang members who sell drugs who cause the association

between the gang membership and the possession and use of weapons (Bellair and

McNulty, 2009). Furthermore, some young gang members might not actively seek to deal

drugs, but are recruited by older gang members as runners or drug mules, with part of the

job description involving young people stashing weapon which may explain how young

people come to possess the weapons (NASUWT Teachers Union, 2009: 15).


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So is drug dealing, and the violence that is associated with it, influenced by hip-hop?

Following the analysis of the literature and the song lyrics, references were made to drug

dealing as means to get by (Klashnekoff and Devlin), while some of the rappers referred to

the amount of drugs they could buy from the money they had made, with a little extra to

share among the rest of the group (Skepta and Giggs). With rappers and grime artists

describing how much money they make through dealing drugs, it is possible that young

gang members recognise this as being the quickest way of affording the glamorous

gangster lifestyle, that is far from reach for those with no legitimate means to acquire the

wealth to afford it. Evidence from Kintrea et al (2008) suggests that young people deal

drugs because it is seen as a better way to earn money than through any form of

conventional employment, suggesting that a rational decision to sell drugs has been made.

Kintrea et al also found that young people carried weapons, most commonly knives, to

protect themselves when dealing on the streets.

Cornish and Clarkes (1986) rational choice theory suggests that offenders base their

actions on two decisions; their readiness to act in order to satisfy a need; and the decision

of whether to actually go ahead with the specific action. Ultimately, and in relation to the

present research, the benefit of drug dealing wealth, respect and power must outweigh

the cost of getting caught, or worse being attacked. Therefore, according to this theory, the

individual may be aware that he is in the position where he may be attacked by another

gang member, and so he makes the decision to carry a weapon as a means of protection. If

the young person does come under attack, he will consider his readiness to use the

weapon, and then act accordingly. The possibility of attack is reflected in Giggs song in

particular when reference is made to the risk of gettin jumped in [his] vehicle (appendix ii),

and so it might be for this reason that he, and other young dealers, carry weapons when on

road (Hallsworthand Silverstone, 2009: 360). However, while the rational choice theory is

successful in explaining why young people may carry or use weapons when dealing drugs,

this paper wishes to determine whether such behaviour is influenced by external sources.


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Subculture theories may serve to explain how the hip-hop lifestyle may influence the

behaviour of young gang members, with particular reference to strain theories. According to

Merton (1938), Cohen, (1955) and Cloward and Ohlin (1961), those who cannot acquire

wealth and material goods through legitimate means (usually lower class individuals) will do

so through alternative routes - usually consisting of criminal behaviour. This suggests that

those who cannot afford the material goods that are associated with the hip-hop lifestyle

through legitimate means may see selling drugs as a way to afford such luxuries. With

regards to the song lyrics, Devlin raps about those that are jobless or have been made

redundant, and in the video the

actor is seen selling drugs in

order to make money. While

these lyrics are not specifically

about young people, it is a fair

reflection of how young people

from certain social backgrounds

or classes may seek to make

money. While strain theories are

successful in explaining why

some young people may look to drug dealing for a means of making money, they are

criticised for failing to explain middle-class delinquency, focusing on social class as a

barrier between achieving goals, and ignoring individuals who may be strained but do not

turn to delinquency (Agnew, 1992). Sutherland and Cresseys (1970) theory of differential

associationaccepts that criminal behaviour is evident across all social classes, and that

criminal attitudes and behaviour is learned through interaction with influential groups. This

could therefore imply that young male gang members learn that selling drugs is a quick way

to acquire wealth and power, and that in order to be successful and avoid attack, the

possession and willingness to use a weapon is essential. However, Sutherland and

Cressey suggest that interpersonal agencies of communication, such as music, play a

relatively unimportant part in the genesis of criminal behaviour (pp. 75). This would

therefore suggest that through the lens of differential association, it is the influence of the

Devlin - Community Outcast. A young father who hasrecently been made redundant, dealing drugs to

another male (appendix v).


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peer group and not the hip-hop lifestyle that influences the possession and use of

weapons by young male gang members when dealing drugs.

Territorialitya way of life

The final theme that emerged from the literature, as well as the song lyrics, is the

protection of territory, which gang related research and government reports suggest as

being one of the defining factors associated with gangs, and more worryingly one that has

recently been suggested to rise when government budgets are cut (Crerar, 2011). As far as

Pickles (2009) is concerned, territoriality is classed as one of the main factors in triggering

violence by gang members, second to acts of disrespect. She also suggests that the two

are linked, in that defending territory or a postcode through violence is viewed by gang

members as a way of earning respect. However, it is important to mention that while

territoriality is often associated with gang membership, it is neither exclusive to gangs, nor

do all gangs engage in such behaviour (Kintrea et al, 2008). For those gangs who do

engage in territoriality, the ownership of space is viewed by academics not only as an

important aspect in the construction of identity for young people (Robinson, 2000), but also

as a necessary unsupervised environment in which to bond with peers and socially develop

(e.g. Deuchar, 2008; Hallsworth and Silverstone, 2009). Robinsons (2000) empirical study

into the organization of space by street-frequenting youth, found that young people tended

to organize their space based on where they felt safe and affirming, and when established it

is protected by marking the boundaries and excluding others. A gang name which makes

reference to such space, for example the postcode or town name, further enhances the

ownership of the groups territory (Bradshaw, 2005; NASUWT, 2009). As the analysis of the

song lyrics shows, a gang name is a symbol of social identity, as is the territory that young

male gang members strive to protect. Research also suggests that gang members do not

just defend their territory on the streets. The NASUWT Teachers Union (2009) found that

gangs used social networking sites, such as Myspace and Bebo, to post home-made music

videos that warned rival gangs not to venture into their turf. Pitts (2007) also found that

gang members would post videos on the internet in order to show fearlessness of being

caught by the law and therefore rendering toughness. Following Rhys Jones death in 2007,


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several video clips that were said to glamorise gang culture and weapons, were supposedly

posted on YouTube by the two rival gangs said to be involved in the shooting (Doward and

Revill, 2007).

One explanation as to why gangs protect what they claim to be their territory is through

social capital theory. Putnam (2000) describes how individuals connect through common

values, which in turn provides social capital in the form of identity and emotional support.

However if there is an absence of positive norms, role models and networks, then self-

destructive means may be used in order to acquire it. By forming gangs and to protect

territory using violence and weapons, young males acquire social capital in the form of an

identity among the toughest group. The more people in the gang, and the more they identify

with each others desires (in this case the desire to protect territory and the group identity),

the richer they will be in social capital (Field, 2008). However, it is not just the identity that

young males gain from being part of a gang, but also the sense of belonging and safety

(Holligan and Deuchar, 2009). In a lot of cases, territorial affiliations were sought where

family and household relationships had broken down, although in others it was believed that

territorial behaviour was learned from older gang members and in some cases parents

(Kintrea et al, 2008). During his qualitative study in Glasgow, Deuchar (2008) was told by

the young gang members that some parents encouraged them to attack others, while

others would even offer incentives.

Another theory that may be attributed to territoriality and the possession and use of

weapons, is Akers (1998: 136) social learning theory which suggests that criminal and

deviant behaviour is learned from others who commit, model and support violations of

social and legal norms. By being in a gang, it can be argued that young people learn to

engage in territoriality through witnessing other gang members doing so. Young gang

members may also witness others brandishing weapons in order to warn off rival gangs,

and see this as a way of acquiring power. This theory can therefore account for behaviour

learned from peers, elders and more importantly, hip-hop artists.

While territoriality is a prominent theme within the literature, it seems as though young

people engage in territoriality in order to affirm their membership of the gang that they

affiliate with so that the identity associated with that group is maintained. Evidence from


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Bradshaws (2005) study of gangs in Edinburgh supports this with f indings that suggest that

conflict between gangs was often over reputation of being the toughest, as oppose to

protecting territory. By being in the toughest gang, a vehicle is provided for young males to

express their masculinity in terms of aggression and power (Deuchar, 2008). With this in

mind, it seems that maintaining social identity and street-cred is at the forefront of young

male gang members intentions.


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- Chapter 4

ConclusionThe aims of the present study, as set out by the author, were to;

find out if gang attitudes, beliefs and behaviours can be attributed to the hip -hop

lifestyle;

establish whether prominent behaviours in the literature and song lyrics are

associated with the use of violence and weapons;

and

to apply theory to certain attitudes and behaviours that are associated with gangs

to provide a more holistic approach to gang behaviours.

Through a process of a thematic content analysis of the literature, three prominent themes

were identified; the need for street-cred, status, power and respect; drug dealing; and

territoriality. A qualitative analysis of the lyrics of six hip-hop songs has confirmed that all

three attitudes and behaviours were prominent in the songs that were thought to glamorise

gangs, violence and weapons (Skepta, appendix i; Giggs, appendix ii; Klashnekoff,

appendix iii), and referred to as a way of life in two more (Professor Green, appendix iv;

Devlin, appendix v). Furthermore, reference to weapons and violence were mentioned to

varying degrees in all but one of the songs that were analysed by the author (Foreign

Beggars, appendix vi).

The need for respect in order to maintain a powerful status is a notion that is prominent

not only across the literature, but also in some of the music that politicians and the media

claim to glamorise gangs, violence and weapons. Similarly, findings from the literature

suggest that the need for street-cred and respect among young male gang members is

central to their attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. These include drug dealing in order to

acquire the means to afford the hip-hop lifestyle, and territoriality which is assumed to

emphasise belonging to a group. In some cases, this is further enhanced by the possession

and use of weapons in order to maintain a tough image that should be responded to with

respect.


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The final aim of the present study was to apply theory to the themes that developed from

the literature. The first theme, the need for street-cred, was discussed in relation to Tajifal

and Turners (1986) social identity theory, and masculinity theories. These theories are

used to explained why some young males seek gang membership in order to acquire a

masculine identity where other social outlets such as education and employment may have

excluded them. Through these theories, it is possible to understand how young males

identify with hip-hop artists claiming to be from similar backgrounds, who express their

acquisition of status, respect and power through gang membership, which is further

enhanced by the weapons they brandish and their willingness to use them.

Selling drugs as a means of acquiring the money in order to live such a lifestyle, has been

discussed through the rational choice theory,and strainand differential association theory.

Cornish and Clarkes (1986) rational choice theory was successful in explaining the

decision process that may lead to the violent use of weapons when dealing, but the

motivation to sell drugs in order to acquire wealth and status was better explained by strain

theories. However, Sutherland and Cresseys (1970: 75) theory of differential association

suggests that only intermediate agencies of communication such as the peer group

influences behaviour. This therefore suggests that through the lens of differential

association, the hip-hop lifestyle does not influence the possession and use of weapons by

young male gang members.

Finally, territoriality was discussed through the lens of social capital theory which

explained how this behaviour was a means of enhancing social identity, while social

learning theory illustrates how young male gang members may learn from others who

commit, model and support violations of social and legal norms (Akers 1986: 136), which

could include rap artists.

Through applying theory to attitudes and behaviours of young male gang members in

attempting to explain if hip-hop influences the possession and violent use of weapons, it

can be concluded that the hip-hop lifestyle may influence the motivations behind such

behaviours, while referring to the use of weapons to reinforce such attitudes and desires.

However, while the present study has suggested how such attitudes and the motivation

behind behaviours are influenced by the hip-hop lifestyle, it fails to explain why some


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young males are more easily influenced than others, and if other factors further influence

such attitudes and behaviours as well. The author recommends that these findings should

serve as a basis in order to conduct a longitudinal qualitative survey that explores factors

such as the social background and preferred leisure activities of gang members and non-

gang members, over a period of time. It would be important to find out the views of young

people, and what they consider to be the main influences of their attitudes and behaviour,

other than peers. This would contribute to the current research by providing a more holistic

approach to the understanding behind the influences of gang violence and the possession

and use of weapons.

Word Count: 10,766


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- References -

Agnew, Robert. (1992). Foundation for a General Strain Theory of Crime and Delinquency.

Criminology. 30 (1). 47-87.

Akers, Ronald L. (1998). A Social Learning Theory of Crime. In: Cote, Suzette. (ed). (2002).

Criminological Theories: Bridging the Past to the Future. California. Sage Publications, Inc.

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