Notorious B.I.G.: Gangsta Raps Poignant Portrayal of Black American Struggles

Abstract

The Notorious B.I.G Different artists have varying influences on the artistic industry. Christopher George Latore Wallace's "Notorious B.I.G." stage name is among the most influential American musicians whose impact on gangsta rap remains well-defined. Though died at the tender age of twenty-five years having lived between the 21st of March 1972 and the 9th of March 1997, Biggie lived as one of the greatest rappers of all times having a distinctive approach to analyzing the black-community hardships and criminality as defined through racially perceived stereotype (French, 2017). Biggie experienced Black American life since childhood as born and also raised in [City, State] thus producing semi-autobiographical music whose message aimed at communicating to the target audiences about lived experiences of the entire black communities. However, Biggie's music also expressed celebration and debauchery enlightening many of the dangers of pleasures that most American engaged in during the time whose impact might be of threat in the future. Notorious BIG was a master marketer in the music industry. Biggie used rap talent to tell brave stories about the experiences of many Americans through well-thought titles that proved influential in many human lives. Paying close attention to Biggies single "Suicidal Thoughts” one can confirm that this artist aimed at enlightening the target audience and the world at large about mental health as a threat if not well addressed (Hinds, 2021). Mental health is a real issue that affected most Americans back then and even at current. While addressing mental health, Biggie argued that many Americans ignored mental disorder victims assuming them as gangsters or pretenders seeking sympathy from the public. Based on Biggie, mental health ignorance exposes many to depression with the urge to take life remaining as the most potent option. It is through this song that the artist aimed at encouraging Americans the need to change their perception towards mentally ill persons by taking care of them and treating them as sick people deserving medical attention. Unfortunately, it is through racially coined stereotypes, most American view the mentally ill community from a criminal point of view judging them wrong. Biggie's message aimed at changing such stereotyped perceptions by seeing the danger of such a real issue at current and in the future. While communicating a certain message an artist needs to pay attention to the interests of the target audience to ensure that the available content captures their attention to the maximum. One can define Notorious BIG as an artist that understood his target audiences. Biggie did not just produce or make the music ready for the available popular culture. On the contrary, this artist ensured full engagement of the community that experienced the same criminality and hardships that most Americans defined through racially coined assumptions. Biggie's music career aimed at uplifting his fellow black communities that experienced the same struggles as his thus ensuring a defined message that educated, encouraged, and connected all his audiences humanely (Peterson, 2007). One can define Biggie as a trend forecast since this artist foresaw black culture as one of the greatest influences on popular culture and this anticipation has become a reality. It is no doubt that...