Messages of Masculinity
Within rap music, there has been a history of discussing violence and aggression. But more recently, SoundCloud rap artists have been excessively glorifying “gang” culture, violence, and vulgarity in their lyricism and personas. As more and more of these artists are arrested and jailed for both violent and sexual crimes, their outlaw status continues to grab the attention of a young fanbase, securing their popularity and influence.
Examples of this are SoundCloud Rappers 6ix9ine and XXX Tentacion
Who is 6ix9ine?
Rapper 6ix9ine in his music video for song, "Kooda"
Daniel Hernandez or 6ix9ine (age 22), who is of Puerto Rican descent, hails from Brooklyn and has somewhat brought back the combination of rap and heavy metal. Hernandez had a very typical rise to rap stardom. According to a New York Times profile on 6ix9ine, "With brash stunts and offensive overtures, Mr. Hernandez amassed a curious legion of followers...Though long a fan of hip-hop and heavy metal, which he would later combine in a compelling package, it was only after 6ix9ine achieved a fan base on Instagram, where he eventually collected more than 15 million followers, that he pivoted to music." In his songs, 6ix9ine constantly brags about his gang affiliation with the "Bloods" and mistreating women, both of which have landed him in severe legal trouble
Lyrics
Here are some notable 6ix9ine lyrics that encapsulate his glorification of hyper-masculinity. Click on the underlined text for additional clarification on the meaning. (NFSW Warning)
"Kooda" - Reached No. 28 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop, Over 59 million streams on SoundCloud.
[Verse]
In the spot, blow 50 bands, shit, 100 bands
Shit, my pockets on a runnin' man, fuck a rubberband
I'ma fuck her in a handstand, she a fan, man
Need the drugs, I'm the Xan man, I'm the damn man
I roll up, I'm gon' be booted, stupid, and shootin' stupid
Brought a knife, I brought a Ruger, stupid, I really do this
If I tote it then you know I'll shoot it and I'ma prove it
Back, back, don't be movin', stupid, or I'ma use it (squad)
Dicky stiffy, uh, bet she give some licky, uh
Lil bitty, uh, bust all on her titties, uh
She a skeezer, uh, really don't need her, uh
Bust then I leave her, uh, she a little eater, uh
Get back, kickback, blow your shit back, uh
Rip that, take that, flip that, send that, uh
"Gummo" - Reached No. 12 on Billboard’s Top 100, Over 93 million streams on SoundCloud.
[Verse]
Pop these niggas like a wheelie, nigga, you a silly nigga
In the hood with them billy niggas and them Hoover niggas
You run up and they shootin' niggas, we ain't hoopin', nigga
Yo KB, you a loser, nigga, up that Uzi, nigga
On the stoop, crills in my drawers, your girl on my phone
She wanna fuck, but keep her clothes on, I only want the jaw
Man that's really all I use her for, I kick her out the door
I don't want her, you can keep the whore, she fiendin' for some more
Blow a case, a nigga throwin' shots, I run 'em off they block
I don't fuck with no old hoes, only new hoes
Put my dick in her backbone, I pass her to my bro
Legal Troubles
6ix9ine backs up his lyrics with his perceived lifestyle, going to such extremes to prove his coolness in the eyes of teenagers.
In March of 2015, 6ix9ine was pleaded guilty for charges of using a child in a sexual performance. A group of rappers, including 6ix9ine filmed a video with a 13-year old girl that was posted on Instagram, in which other rappers had sex with her while 6ix9ine touched her in front of the camera. “I was doing it for my image,” 6ix9ine claims.
In November of 2018, 6ix9ine is currently facing jail time for federal racketeering charges. The charges include narcotics trafficking, shootings, and violent robberies, some of which were live-streamed on his Instagram. His lawyer stated, “An entertainer who portrays a ‘gangster image’ to promote his music does not make him a member of an enterprise.”
Who is XXX Tentacion?
Jahseh Onfroy or XXX Tentacion is a recently deceased rapper (age 22), who first gained prominence for the hit track "Look at Me," which was first released in 2015 when he was arrested and charged with robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. XXX Tentacion is known for having a soft-style to his violent and aggressive content and has been revered by teens as a pained artist who was trying to overcome poverty in South Florida. In 2017, he was arrested on charges for on charges of false imprisonment, witness tampering and aggravated battery of his pregnant ex-girlfriend. Although his lyrics are not often violent and even address the idea of finding personal resolve, his actions say otherwise. As a result, his recent death has left many wondering if we should honor or dismiss his legacy.
Assault of Ex-Girlfriend
In 2017, XXX Tentacion was charged with home invasion robbery and aggravated battery. Although initially denying the beatings of his ex-girlfriend, Geneva Ayala, he recently admitted to his actions of violence prior to his death. According to the Washington Post, “Ayala told New Times on one occasion Onfroy threatened to assault her with a barbecue fork and a wire barbecue brush. ‘He told me to pick between the two, because he was going to put one of them up my vagina,’ she later told prosecutors in a deposition cited by New Times. “She was attacked ‘every three or four days,’ she told New Times. ‘[H]e beat her at times, choked her, broke clothes hangers on her legs, threatened to chop off her hair or cut out her tongue, pressed knives or scissors to her face, and held her head under water,’ according to the paper.”
Fans of XXX Tentacion have called Ayala a liar and a gold-digger after Onfroy's fame. A representation of the power of XXX Tentacion's fame and how manipulated fans are into supporting a perpetrator of domestic violence. Below is Ayala's GoFundMe page, documenting photos of Ohfroy's abuse.
Messages Perpetuated
Both XXX Tentacion and 6ix9ine are glorifying to the rebelliousness of violence, anger, and using women as personal objects in order to sell their music. This is something that has been occurring in hip-hop for generations, but with the rise of social media and publicity, the messages of masculinity have been more and more overt. All this does is perpetuate hyper-masculinity among teenagers and create a world in which violence and sexual assault have become normalized. With the Me Too movement, in this day and age, our society is led to believe in progress in women's rights and the emotion of men. But with rising of SoundCloud Rap, the old image of "The Mook" (aggressive, wanting attention, believing that women are his objects) persists amongst teenagers, reinstalling the old stereotypes that defined our society in the past within the future.