Crunk controversy: Who’s to blame?
By Capri Lockard, Contributing Writer
Wednesday, February 2, 2005
On Nov. 10, 2004, in the Ward Center ballroom, the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. threw a party. Everyone was having a good time until the DJ played a popular Hip Hop song: “Knuck if u buck” by Crime Mob. During the song, the students’ behavior changed dramatically. The atmosphere became violent and a fight erupted. The DJ canceled the event.
In the aftermath of this fiasco, many students wondered if Hip Hop was to blame. Some students say that it is not the fault of Hip Hop but the people who listen to it. They say the music just gives people an excuse to behave uncontrollably.
“The unruly population here at CSU listens to the music and is not able to discern the difference between entertainment and reality,” sophomore Mallory Boykin said. “They feel that the music gives them freedom to express themselves, true, but it needs to be done in decency and order.”
Crime Mob is just one of many Hip Hop artists performing so-called “Crunk” music. “Crunk” is up-tempo music, heavy on the bass. Producer Lil Jon and the Eastside Boys invented “Crunk” so that young African Americans would feel good and have a good time.
“Crunk” now has a negative tag. Fights have broken out at many events featuring this type of music. So how did music meant to make people have a good time turn so violent? Boykin said immature students seem to like this music most. “There is no reason there needs to be a fight or disagreement at every party,” Boykin said. “These students act like they have no home training.”
But not everyone believes that “Crunk” inspires violence. “Hip hop music is about having a good feeling,” sophomore Anthony Evans said. “It doesn’t promote violence.”
The campus is divided on Crunk and how it affects student behavior. Many of our campus parties end in violence. The question remains: Is that because young African Americans don’t know how to behave, or should we blame the entertainment industry for raising our youth?.
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