INDS 1107 History of Rock and Roll Prof.
Moule
Fanshawe College Language and Liberal Studies
Module Four Assignment
Worth: 2%
Due: Sunday, January 28th at midnight in the appropriate submission folder.
Purpose: To understand differences between Conscious Rap and Gangsta Rap.
Task: To do a comparative musical and lyrical analysis of two songs.
Instructions:
1. Listen to the music of the below artists and follow on along with the lyrics below
De La Soul-Me, Myself and I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8-9mY-JACM
NWA-Straight Outta Compton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMZi25Pq3T8
2. Answer the questions below.
a) How do the performers present themselves in the videos? What kinds of images and symbols does each group emphasize? What
overall impression do you get of each group and its message from these performances?
De La Soul - "Me, Myself and I":
Images and Symbols:
De La Soul's "Me, Myself, and I" video showcases a vibrant aesthetic, emphasizing individuality and rejecting conformity,
reflecting their eclectic fashion choices and societal expectations.
Overall Impression:
De La Soul's "Me, Myself and I" showcases playfulness, creativity, and individuality, breaking away from the aggressive image
associated with other hip-hop acts.
INDS 1107 History of Rock and Roll Prof. Moule
Fanshawe College Language and Liberal Studies
N.W.A - "Straight Outta Compton":
Images and Symbols:
"Straight Outta Compton" video portrays Compton's harsh realities, highlighting African American struggles. N.W.A uses
urban symbols and police presence to address socio-political unrest and systemic inequality.
Overall Impression:
N.W.A's "Straight Outta Compton" showcases their rebellious and intense message, emphasizing the challenges faced by the
African American community in Compton through explicit language and bold imagery.
De La Soul's "Me, Myself and I" video showcases individuality, while N.W.A's "Straight Outta Compton" video critiques urban
life's harsh realities, using visuals to enhance their respective songs, highlighting social and racial issues.
b) Look at the record cover for each of the songs. How are the performers presented? What image do you think each group is trying
to present?
De La Soul - "Me, Myself and I":
De La Soul's album cover for "Me, Myself and I" may feature colorful artwork, showcasing individual personalities. The group
aimed to present a positive, unique image, rejecting conformity.
N.W.A - "Straight Outta Compton":
N.W.A's album cover for "Straight Outta Compton" is expected to be stark, straightforward, and incorporate urban imagery to
reflect the harsh social and economic conditions of their environment, expressing rebellion and defiance.
INDS 1107 History of Rock and Roll Prof. Moule
Fanshawe College Language and Liberal Studies
c) Gangsta Rap is often characterized as having negative images and ideas, while Conscious Hip Hop is often described as being more
positive. Based on what you’ve heard, is this a fair characterization?
De La Soul's "Me, Myself and I" is a Conscious Hip Hop song with a positive message, focusing on individuality and
empowerment. N.W.A's "Straight Outta Compton" is a Gangsta Rap song, addressing harsh urban realities and social
struggles. These songs are not rigidly classified, as artists can explore various themes in their work, incorporating elements
from different subgenres.
d) Do you think the images of guns and violence in many Gangsta Rap songs encourage violent behavior on the part of listeners? Or
is it just a form of entertainment?
The relationship between Gangsta Rap lyrics, violence, and listener behaviour is multifaceted. Critics argue exposure to such
content may have negative effects, while others view it as artistic expression. It's crucial to understand the context and
consider diverse perspectives on the impact of various factors on individual behaviour.
e) Based on everything you have seen and heard, what do you think it means to be Gangsta or Conscious? Are these best thought of
as two distinct genres, or as two different ways of saying the same thing?
Gangsta and Conscious are distinct hip-hop approaches, representing stylistic and thematic choices rather than rigid genres.
Their diversity allows for a broad range of expressions, reflecting the complex experiences of artists within the genre.
INDS 1107 History of Rock and Roll Prof. Moule
Fanshawe College Language and Liberal Studies
Excerpt from Lyrics to De La Soul, “Me Myself and I” (1989) By P. Huston, K. Mercer, D. Jolicoeur, V. Mason, P. Wynne, and G. Clinton
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Tell me, mirror, what is wrong?
Can it be my de la clothes
Or is it just my de la song?
What I do ain't make-beleive
People say I sit and try
But whan it comes to being de la
It's just me myself and I
It's just me myself and I
It's just me myself and I
It's just me myself and I
Now you tease my plug one style
And my plug one spectacles
You say plug one and two are hippies
No, we're not, that's pure plug bull
Always pushing that we've formed an image
INDS 1107 History of Rock and Roll Prof. Moule
Fanshawe College Language and Liberal Studies
There's no need to lie
When it comes to being plug one
It's just me myself and I
Excerpt from Lyrics to NWA, “Straight Outta Compton” (1988) By Eric “Eazy-E” Wright, O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson, and Lorenzo “MC Ren”
Patterson
Straight outta Compton, crazy motherfucker named Ice Cube
From the gang called niggaz With Attitudes
When I'm called off, I got a sawed off
Squeeze the trigger, and bodies are hauled off
You too, boy, if ya fuck with me
The police are gonna hafta come and get me
Off yo ass, that's how I'm goin out
For the punk motherfuckers that's showin out
Niggaz start to mumble, they wanna rumble
Mix em and cook em in a pot like gumbo
INDS 1107 History of Rock and Roll Prof. Moule
Fanshawe College Language and Liberal Studies
Goin off on a motherfucker like that
With a gat that's pointed at yo ass
So give it up smooth
Ain't no tellin when I'm down for a jack move
Here's a murder rap to keep yo dancin
With a crime record like Charles Manson
Ak-47 is the tool
Don't make me act the motherfuckin fool
Submit the above assignment to the Aretha Franklin drop box by Wednesday, October 2nd at midnight.
Your assignment must be typed and you must use correct grammar and spelling.
INDS 1107 History of Rock and Roll Prof. Moule
Fanshawe College Language and Liberal Studies
