Wdup Gangsta?

 

                  The Godfather, Goodfellas, Casino… These are movies that will help you understand the true definition of the term “gangster,” which means “a member of an organized group of criminals, or a member of a gang of delinquents.” This is the dictionary definition of the term “gangster” which was originally meant to describe the people who were part of the Mafia. They were those who smuggled alcohol during prohibition, those who sold illegal drugs and were part of illegal performances. However, this word evolved and adjusted to the new generation, and abated from its original meaning.

 

                  During the recent years of history, the term “gangster” is now seen mundanely in songs Hip-hop, R&B musicians and rapper, graffiti artists, and even the mass media such as TV shows, movies and advertisements. The word nowadays seems to be used in a rather attracting way, luring young kids to talk and act like a “gangster.” So what exactly do you have to do in order to be “gangster” in modern terms? It varies from committing murder, dealing drugs, carrying guns, to even skipping school, picking fights and speaking dirty. The word “gangster” is even used to define something that you are interested in, looks “cool,” and/or expensive. For example, if two kids were walking by and saw an expensive care they desired, in their terms they would say, “That care is gangster.”

 

                  “Gangster” is used either as a noun or an adjective. It can be used to describe someone or something, saying “Those clothes are gangster” or it can be used to call a person, as in “What’s up, gangster.” As the meaning of “gangster gradually expands, the term itself changed its form into a more commonly used word “gangsta,” along with its fellow words like “nigga,” derived from “nigger,” “wanksta” describing a “white gangsta” or “wdup” as a shortening of “what’s up.” Although “gangsta” is not defined in the English dictionary, it appears more than its original term “gangster,” and is mostly found in lyrics of rappers, praising and encouraging criminal activities.

 

                  Although it seems like he word itself cannot do any serious harm, the term “gangster” is one of the words that gave the biggest impact on criminal rates. People, mostly in urban areas, ten do easily “follow the crowd” and listen to hip-hop and rap music which mostly contain violent features and acts of what a “gangster” does. They believe that being “gangster” makes them look “hip” and “cool.” Young kids skip school and become drug addicts, teenagers make up their own groups and constantly pick fights with each other, but little do they know of the fact that they won’t have anything to do when they hit the ages of an adult. Most people who acted “gangster” in their young ages ended up as a bum, a drug addict, in jail, or even killed.

 

                  “Gangster” is not something that is nice, pretty or cute, but something that is cool, expensive, or interesting. It does not necessarily have to be someone who in in a dangerous gang, nor someone who always commit crime activities. It can be something that amuses you and catches your attention. The shiny tire rims that you’ve just replaced on your care are gangster. The huge “bing bling” necklace that you have on your neck would be gangster. If a guy fights twenty people without a scratch, that is gangster. If you listen to hip-hop and rap, then you can be gangster.

 

                  The new definitions of gangster have been added on to its original meaning, definitions that derived fro simply being in a gang. Nowadays, the word “gangster” is used to describe the little things in life, to the ways that people act like. As these new definitions are added upon the originals, “gangster” is not only describing members of crime organizations, but also a commonly used word between teens.