Since the birth of hip-hop and rap music, there have been some associations related to its culture and supporting audience. These associations are made by "White America" ​​who see hip hop and rap culture as nothing more than offensive, vulgar and violent. "Gangster music" is often used to label hip-hop and rap music, and thus associates supporters and people who listen to this type of genre as gangsters or affiliated with violent gang activity. Beyond music, the perception of artists who make hip-hop and rap music is that they are ghetto and ignorant. Critics, especially those from older generations, have these perceptions and would never associate themselves with anyone who supports rap culture. Furthermore, previous generations Cynthia Tucker, a well-known African-American journalist, said: “While racism remains a powerful force in American life, it does not possess the malign power of gangsta culture.” This statement coming from a respected African American journalist indicates that the black community is not unaware of the negative effects and destructive nature of gangsta rap culture, especially on poor black youth. One of the most important and well-known people in the history of rap culture was Tupac Shakur. Given his hardcore gangsta lifestyle and music, Tupac was one of the most influential and inspiring people who spoke out about issues related to how young black teenagers are not given equal opportunities in life due to the way where they were raised and the type of music and background. were subjected. “No matter what these people say about me, my music does not glorify any image. My music is spiritual when you listen to it. It's all about emotions, I tell my most intimate and darkest secrets.”¬¬¬– Tupac Shakur. Even though Tupac's music depicted a lifestyle of drugs, guns and unlimited women, it cannot be argued that his music had any real meaning, unlike many rappers "Promoting academic literacy with urban youth through involvement of hip-hop culture". JSTOR. Vol 91. National Council of Teachers of English, 6 July 2002. Web. 1 October 2014. .Rose, Tricia. “Hip-Hop Wars: What We Talk About When We Talk About Hip-Hop and Why It Matters.” Ebrary. Civitas Base, nd Web. October 1, 2014. .Hadley, Susan, and George Yancy. “Therapeutic Uses of Rap and Hip Hop.” Ebrary. Taylor and Francis, n.d. Web. October 1, 2014. Johnson, James D., Mike S. Adams, Leslie Ashburn, and William Reed. “Gender Differential Effects of Exposure to Rap Music on African American Adolescents' Acceptance of Teen Dating Violence – Springer.” Springer link. Version 33. Kluwer Academic Publishers-Plenum Publishers, October 1 1Alridge, Derrick, and James Stewart. “Introduction: Hip Hop in History: Past, Present and Future.” JSTOR. Vol 90 no. 3. African American Life and History, Inc., n.d. Web. October 1, 2014. . 995. Network. October 1. 2014.