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Is it true that you are not able to find solace on your sex partners arms? The only reason behind that may be your own erectile problem. It is a problem faced by many old male sex partners around the globe. Though there have been much progress in medical science it had not been able to give answers to erectile problem for long. But with the advent of Viagra brought by Pfizer Inc. old males can get back their lost erection and most importantly the love of belongingness. Viagra is an alternative of Levitra. Both of them act in the same way. Both helps in infusing phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) enzymes in penis which relaxes the penile muscles and increases blood flow in it. The flow of the blood stiffens the penis, but to have sex one has to maintain that stiffness. In that enlarging penis blocks the vein which is to circulate the blood back into the system. Thus the blood level is maintained in the penis till penis gets relaxed. Which means, Viagra acts as a spark for all of the above chain of events? But taking Levitra alternative Viagra without proper medical guidance can run havoc in your health. It is advised that you consult a doctor first to have the pill. While seeing the doctor you should tell him if you have any – heart ailments, blood pressure, asthma, allergy and diabetes etc. Women and children should stay away from this pill. But it does not mean that as soon as one takes the pill he gets an erection. To have an erection he must have sexual arousal at first. The drug effects usually after half an hour of taking it and lasts for around 4-5 hours. So, if you take the drug to get over impotency you have to have sex within these hours. The normal dose for the drug is a pill a day but a doctor is the right person to decide what should be your required dose. Levitra alternative Viagra side effects that have been observed till date are mild and are short in nature. Frequent side effects include – facial blushing, upset stomach and headache. But side effects like blurred vision and inability to distinguish blue and green colours may appear. In case of side effects do not hesitate to see your doctor. penis enlarement surgery photo vimax compare penis enlargement pills penis enlargement tool truth about pennis enlargement homemade penis elargement erection penis pill size vimax do penis enlarement pills work penis enlargement pill magna rx

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Nigerian government is advising its people to eat chocolate for enhancing their sexual pleasure instead of spending on high cost drugs like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. After Goji berry, is that a new gimmick? Dr. Dora Akunyili has proved through her scientific tests that cocoa has libido enhancing qualities, is it not quite an old story? Actually there is a scientific reason behind the trend of gifting chocolate bars and candies to our lovers. It is said to stimulate the hormones that is responsible for the feelings related to love, because of a natural chemical present in chocolate, it works as an aphrodisiac. Now Nigeria's national committee for the development of cocoa is giving examples of marketing campaigns by the British trade association that talks about the sexual enhancement qualities of chocolates. Compared to Viagra, chocolate has no side effect, says Dr. Akunyili. It is a great anti-oxidant known to prevent heart attack, diabetes as well as hypertension. Of course chocolate would have been far better option compared to the PDE5 inhibitors if it was able to treat the erectile dysfunction. Because it tastes better, costs less with no side effect at all. But unfortunately, human mechanism is not so simple, neither is the anatomy of erection. Having high libido is not enough for a satisfactory sexual intercourse until a man can have a strong penis erection and hold it till the end. Do you agree? I think there is no other way to do it right when vaginal penetration is the question. Yet again, this is time to remind you that the terms like ‘low libido’ or ‘less’ or ‘no sexual drive’ do not mean a man has erectile dysfunction. At the same time, a man with ‘erectile dysfunction’ or ‘impotence’ may enjoy high libido or sexual excitement. Goji berry and cocoa may act as a natural aphrodisiac, enhancing a person’s sexual drive, PDE 5 inhibitors like Viagra treat the disease that causes inability to get an erection or sustain an erection even with good amount of sexual stimulation or high sexual drive. Viagra treatment is totally different! It relaxes the muscles in the penis and increases blood flow into it so that the blood engorges the penile section helping a man get a strong erection for a successful vaginal intercourse. Viagra is not an aphrodisiac, so it does not enhance your sexual drive. More importantly, you need sexual stimulation to get an erection after the oral administration of Viagra. Viagra is a treatment for the most common disorder erectile dysfunction in men that makes them ‘impotent’. There is no use comparing Goji berry or cocoa like natural substances with Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors from sexual perspective. But of course they can be compared for their benefits in life threatening matters like preventing heart attack and pulmonary diseases. ___________________________________________________________________ enlargement forum free matter penis size vig rx review vimax manual penis enlargement penile enlargment without pills penile enlargment technique truth about penis enlagement pills penis enlarement surgery photo manual pnis enlargement penis enlagement pills product

There’s always something the other guy has that you might want: a cool car, a great boss, an incredible job title, or a high-tech gadget. But no matter who you are, there’s one thing every guy has to deal with sometimes: the rare occasion where he can’t have or sustain an erection. In fact people with high stress jobs or on-the-go lifestyles can be more susceptible to the exhaustion, flu-and-cold symptoms, or stress that can make it difficult to have sex. For some men, though, erectile dysfunction (or ED) becomes a recurring problem. Diabetes, high blood pressure, or clogged arteries can reduce blood flow to the penis. ED can also be caused by physical blockages (like prostate enlargement), hormonal imbalance, or medications (like antidepressants). For about 20% of men with ED, psychological issues may be contributing to the problem. It’s important to realize that many of these causes have nothing to do with age. If you are experiencing problems with ED, it doesn’t mean you’re getting “old” – it’s just a sign to make some minor changes. Take Charge For many of the causes of ED, managing the underlying illness or problem will be enough to improve sexual function. In some cases, however, Cialis can help with sexual activity. Cialis works on both the muscles and the blood vessels of the penis. It encourages the blood vessels to open up so that more blood can enter the penis. Once the blood is there, the spongy muscles that make up the bulk of the penis relax so the blood vessels have room to expand, creating an erection. Cialis will never be in control: You will. Some men are concerned that they won’t be able to control when an erection occurs... just like junior high. But Ciallis only works in conjunction with sexual stimulation. Cialis is ready exactly when you are. More importantly though, you don’t have to interrupt a relaxing moment over dinner to take a pill “just in case.” Cialis has been shown to work for up to 36 hours (yep, no stress.) so you can take it in the morning and not have to worry about it when you’ve got more important things going on! Talk with your doctor to see if Cialis is right for you. There are very few side effects associated with Cialis, but knowing about them can help prepare you. Rarely, men do experience muscle aches, especially in the back, after they take the pill. They should go away on their own, but if the aches hang around for more than 24 hours, give your doctor a call. Some drugs that affect your heart and blood pressure can have serious interactions with Cialis, particularly nitrate drugs (for chest pain) and many (though not all) alpha blockers (for high blood pressure). Other drugs can also interact with Cialis, so take a list of all the drugs you’re taking with you talk with your doctor about Cialis. You’re ready to go! Once you and your doctor have discussed Cialis and determined that it’s right for you, grab that prescription and head to the pharmacy! If you prefer discretion, you can fill the prescription at a reputable on-line pharmacy. That’s the end of your ED worries and the start to real sex, without the stress! com enlargement penile penile pump herbal natural pnis enlargement enhancement forum free matter penis size penile enlargement system does vigrx really work free penis enlagement exercise vimax natural penis enlargement technique penile enlargement without pills penis enlagement pills product

Being a natural athlete I’ve always sought to find more ways to increase testosterone levels naturally. The question I’ve always asked myself was what are the variables, which determine how much testosterone is boiavailable. I’ve read articles before, giving some advice on what in my every day life causes my test levels to go up and what causes them to go down. But after an extensive research I couldn’t find an article, explaining in detail how and actually what exactly I should manipulate directly in my system to achieve the effects I desired – namely not only higher levels of circulating testosterone but also how much of it will be available to the corresponding receptors in the cell walls. Moreover, I wanted to know all this in regards to natural bodybuilding… So, I decided to do some good digging and reading and then if I manage to put things together, to lay that in writing form so that others can benefit as well. Without wasting even a minute more I will start this off by describing what testosterone is and what it does in the human body. Testosterone is a steroid hormone with anabolic and androgenic properties. It is the main hormone, responsible for the increase in lean muscle tissue, increased libido, energy, bone formation, and immune function. Testosterone is secreted in the testes in men and in the ovaries in women. Small amounts are also secreted in the adrenal glands. Testosterone is derived from cholesterol. The levels of testosterone in men range between 350 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl). After the age of 40 these normal levels start dropping by roughly 1 per cent a year. In the blood stream testosterone circulates in great percentage bound to so called binding proteins. Sex Hormone Binding Globulin or SHBG is the one that concerns us the greatest. Why? Because this is the main reason why testosterone might not be available to reach the cell receptor. When testosterone gets attached to SHBG, it is no longer able to perform its anabolic functions. What elevates SHGB: Anorexia nervosa, Hyperthyroidism, Hypogonadism (males), Androgen insensitivity/deficiency, Alcoholic hepatic cirrhosis (males), Primary biliary cirrhosis (females). What suppresses SHGB: Obesity, Hypothyroidism, Hirsutism (females), Acne vulgaris, Polycystic ovarian disease, Acromegaly, Androgen-secreting ovarian tumors Less than 1% of the circulating testosterone is in a free form in males (less that 3% in females). Only when in a free form this hormone can exhibit its properties by connecting to the androgen receptors on the cell walls. Based on a study 14 to 50 per cent of the testosterone is bound to SHBG in males and 37 to 75 in females. It is worth mentioning that SHGB poses very high affinity for binding to testosterone. Therefore, changes in the SHGB levels noticeably influence the level of bioavailable testosterone. Let’s discuss for a moment what exactly a testosterone bioavailability is. Other than SHGB there are two more testosterone-binding proteins, also called carriers. One of them is albumin. It is a low-affinity binding protein, thus testosterone bound to it is considered “bioavailable”. Albumin binds to testosterone in the range 45 to 85 per cent in men (25 – 65 in women). The third carrier is the cortisol binding globulin, which binds also with low-affinity to less that 1 % of the testosterone in circulation. The free androgen index (FAI) indicates the amount of bioavailable testosterone. FAI is the sum of the free testosterone and the albumin and cortisol binding globulin. Or it’s the total serum testosterone minus the SHGB-bound testosterone. It is now clear why we should focus our attention on the properties of SHGB. The levels of this binding protein increase when there is excess estrogen present. Conversely, SHGB levels drop if the testosterone levels are elevated. Here I should mention the fact that SHGB exhibits higher affinity to testosterone than to estrogen. Now, pay close attention… It’s a well-known fact that testosterone is an estrogen precursor – it will convert to estrogen under the influence of the enzyme aromatase. Nothing that we don’t know so far. Here is where it gets interesting. Suppose that we have normal testosterone levels and we don’t suffer from any of the health ailments, which influence the SHGB levels. That means that SHGB levels are normal, too. Bare with me now. If more of this testosterone is converted to estrogen due to abnormal aromatase levels, the SHGB I will increase as well. SHGB, being more readily bound to testosterone, will leave us with excess estrogen levels in the system, which in turn will stimulate increased production of the SHGB protein from the liver. This whole process ultimately amplifies estrogen levels. Estrogen readily binds to the androgen receptors in cells thus leaving less opportunity for the free testosterone. Even more important, estrogen is the messenger molecule that signals the brain to decrease testosterone production. Another thing of great importance is the fact that over 40 per cent of the SHGB protein circulates unbound in the blood stream in man (over 80 per cent in women), and albumin circulates unbound almost all of the time. Thus increase in the total testosterone levels does not produce any noticeable changes in the free testosterone levels unless there is a significant increase like the one seen after synthetic steroid hormone administration. Well, this whole story brings us to the conclusion that the main approach should be - to keep the testosterone bioavailability high. In this regard a natural athlete should strive to: · Prevent testosterone levels from getting low · Attempt to increase the total testosterone as a means of keeping the testosterone levels from plunging · Block the testosterone-binding effects of SHBG · Lower the levels of the enzyme aromatase - less testosterone conversion to estrogen 1. How to prevent testosterone levels from getting low? - Obesity. Based on the way the testosterone-estrogen mechanism works, increased levels of estrogen will ultimately decrease the circulating testosterone. Excess fat causes more estrogen production due to the fact that fat cells are those, which manufacture estrogen. So, the more fat cells, the more estrogen in the blood and the less testosterone. - Drug and alcohol abuse. Alcohol has the property to inhibit your ability to remove estrogen from the blood stream by acting as a central nervous system depressant and also by decreasing zinc levels. - Stress elevates corticosteroid levels in the blood steam, which causes the testosterone levels to decrease. - Medications. Some medications, including estrogen and progesterone, lower the lutenizing hormone (LH) levels. LH is the hormone, responsible for the steroid hormones production. - Diabetes. Studies suggest that there is a link between type 2 diabetes and lower testosterone levels. - Hypertension and high cholesterol levels. These both cause the arteries to harden, this way decreasing the blood flow to the sex hormone producing organs. That of course leads to low sex hormone levels. - Aging. Fact is after the age of 40 test levels drops by roughly one per cent per year. We can’t do too much about that. The clock keeps ticking for all of us. However, we can try to manipulate testosterone levels in any other possible way. - Low fat diet. Low fat consumption causes increase of the SHGB, which means one thing – less free testosterone. It is considered that monounsaturated fats play an important role in testosterone levels and bioavailability. - Overtraining can contribute to as much as 40 per cent drop in testosterone levels. That is why it’s important to notice early the signs of overtraining and give the body a week or two well-deserved rest. - Not enough sleep. If you are not getting enough sleep the body is not recuperating well, which causes less testosterone and more corticosteroids to be released. Just to mention corticosteroids like cortisol are in fact catabolic hormones meaning they use up muscle tissue to provide the brain and the heart with energy. - Vitamin C. It suppresses the release of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol decreases testosterone levels. So, ultimately less cortisol, more testosterone. 2. How to boost testosterone levels - Incorporate basic movements that involve several muscle groups in your training routine. Good ones are squats, dead lifts, and military presses. Basic (compound) exercises have been shown to play an important role in the testosterone levels. - The greatest workout related testosterone production occurs with the use of heavier weights and lower rep range. A study shows that the best is 85 per cent of your one-rep max. - Tribulus terestris is a natural supplement, which has been shown in some studies to have the ability to increase the leutenizing hormone (LH) levels. As we already mentioned above, one of the functions of LH is to stimulate testosterone production by the testes. 3. Block the testosterone-binding effects of SHBG - Nettle root as a highly concentrated extract has shown to be effective at binding to SHBG and therefore it permits more free testosterone to circulate the system. It also acts as a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. This is the enzyme, responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more potent form of the male sex hormone, which causes prostate enlargement and ultimately cancer. Methanolic extract of nettle can also cut down the SHBG levels, which is another form of elevating the free testosterone in the blood stream. - Pygeum (prunus africana) is another herb, known to block the testosterone-binding effects of SHBG. Nettle root and pygeum extracts also benefit the prostate gland as a preventive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) both by blocking the 5-alpha reductase action. - Avena Sativa is an extract from the straw of oats. It has somewhat different properties. It works by freeing bound testosterone, which increases the free testosterone in circulation. 4. Lowering aromatize levels - Zinc. The mineral zinc inhibits the aromatase enzyme that converts testosterone into excess estrogen. The recommended dose for inhibiting aromatase is 80mg daily. However, be sure the combined zinc quantity of all the daily supplements you are taking does not go over this benchmark. - Chrysin is a bioflavonoid that has shown a potential as a natural aromatase inhibitor. Chrysin is poorly absorbed in the system. It is found that when taken along with piperine, chrysin exhibits a lot better absorption. Supplementation with chrysin and piperine together might bring good results in reducing aromatase levels. How does this all apply to the sport of natural bodybuilding Let’s assume you are an individual, who exercises regularly and who doesn’t consider taking exogenous steroid hormones. With other words you are a natural athlete or enthusiast, who desires to keep his natural testosterone levels in the range, favoring good health and lean muscle mass build up. Here is what you do: 1. If you are even slightly overweight consider staring immediately a diet and training routine, tailored toward fat loss and lean muscle retention. 2. Consider also dropping the alcohol intake to absolute minimum if you want your efforts in keeping test levels high to give results. 3. Begin mastering some types of self-control or even meditation. These will take care of the excess stress levels. 4. Take medications only if they are absolutely essential for your health and are prescribed by your doctor. Talk to your personal physician to find out if there are any natural remedies to replace your current medications and if he recommends such approach for your health issue. 5. Keep your blood pressure and the serum cholesterol in check. 6. Eat enough good fats in your diet. Good means monounsaturated and omega-3 and 6 polyunsaturated fats. 7. Don’t ever overtrain. Sleep enough to promote good recovery. Signs of overtraining are loss of appetite, tiredness and irritability, lack of motivation, impaired mental focus, prolonged recovery periods. 8. Start relying more heavily on basic exercise movements. Train in the low rep range most of the time. 5 – 8 reps will ensure that you’re using weights that will eventually stimulate elevated testosterone levels. 9. It will only do you good if you decide to try some or all of these natural supplements: chrysin - piperine blend, nettle root extract, pygeum, avena sativa extract, and tribulus terestris. Try to find them in your local health store. Follow the directions for best results. 10. And you shouldn’t even consider training without supplementing your diet with enough vitamin C (at least 1g a day) and zinc (15mg min.). Take vitamin C with your multivitamin formula after breakfast, and post-workout with your protein shake. Zinc should be present in your multivitamin blend but this is not enough. Take zinc with magnesium in the form of ZMA right before you go to bed on an empty stomach. References: Ron Geraci, Men's Health, December 25, 2000; 13 Ways to Naturally Boost Your Testosterone Levels LE Magazine January 2000; Replenish Testosterone Naturally Plant extracts favorably alter hormone metabolism and improve sexual desire in men Jennifer A. Kelly, Ph.D. and Leo Vankrieken, Eur. Eng. Diagnostic Products Corporation; Sex Hormone Binding Globulin and the Assessment of Androgen Status Cockatoo.com; Avena Sativa - are oats an aphrodisiac? Gabe Mirkin, M.D.; High Cholesterol Causes Low Testosterone Bodybuilding.com, Chrysin Info And Products - Block Estrogen, Increase Testosterone penile enlargment program surgical penis enhancement top penis elargement pills vimax manual penis enlargement exercise pennis enlargement before and after photo penile enlargement photo does penis enhancement work male penis enhancement penis enlagement pills product

Gangster rap, or hardcore rap, is generally considered a sub genre of the larger category of rap music, which itself is a subcategory of hip-hop. Gangster rap is differentiable from other rap music in that it makes use of images of urban life associated with crime (Haugen, 2). According to the Encyclopedia Britannica definition of gangster rap, the top four images associated with the genre are violence, drugs, materialism and sexual promiscuity. Gangster Rappers as Defining the Hip-Hop Social Group As the hip-hop movement has gained recognition throughout the United States, it has established itself as one of the fastest growing social groups anywhere. In the late 1990s immediately following the murders of both Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace, two nationally known gangster rappers, a propaganda campaign escalated against rap music and the hip-hop culture (Slaughter). Although gangster rap only represented a small percentage of the hip-hop culture at the time, all hip-hop and rap music was instantly stereotyped negatively as being “gangter-like”. Why? Well, this gangster version of hip-hop was the highest selling and most recognized form of hip-hop music among the majority class. And many critics have determined that this is because America is in love with sex, drugs and violence (Whaley). Hip-Hop’s Rejection of Inferior Social Group Status Henri Tajfel, a social psychologist who developed a theory of inter-group relations and social change, argues that members of a social group deemed inferior by a majority class can either accept or reject their inferior position in society. If a group refuses to accept its inferior position in society as just, it will attempt as a group to change things (Coates, 8-9). A large number of hip-hop artists have used their musical lyrics to reject the inferior social status placed upon them by the majority class. The Reconstruction of the Gangster Identity I have found that hip-hop artists use lyrics, both musical and poetic, to redefine the negatives characteristics given to their culture by the majority class, and in the process, reconstruct the gangster identity. By examining these hip-hop and gangster rap lyrics as text, I will show ways in which the lyrics attempt to reconstruct the stereotyped gangster rap identity by examining different views of violence, drugs, materialism and sexual promiscuity. In the end, one tends to wonder: Who exactly are the real gangsters? Violence That the hip-hop culture represents gangster-like violence is perhaps the biggest disputed claim amongst hip-hop artists. In order to disprove this claim, many hip-hop artists have pointed to the violence that exists within the majority social group, and how it leads to violence all over the world. In “Violence”, 2 Pac demonstrates his belief that violence was prevalent long before gangster rap existed: I told em fight back, attack on society If this is violence, then violent's what I gotta be If you investigate you'll find out where it's comin’ from Look through our history, America's the violent one Here, the poet points to American society as “the violent one” and that he has to be violent in order to “fight back.” In “Who Knew”, Eminem showed a similar viewpoint by expressing his belief that violence is a common occurrence in American society, yet not challenged in genres outside of the urban environment: So who's bringin’ the guns in this country? I couldn't sneak a plastic pellet gun through customs over in London And last week, I seen a Schwarzaneggar movie Where he's shootin’ all sorts of these bad guys with an Uzi Here, the poet questions the existence of violence in a country that allows firearms and violent movies. In “Casualties of War”, Rakim blames the United States government, specifically its Head of State, as the group causing the violence in society with their war-like ways: I'ma get back to New York in one piece But I'm bent in the sand that is hot as the city streets Sky lights up like fireworks blind me Bullets, whistlin’ over my head remind me... President Bush said attack Flashback to Nam, I might not make it back In this text, the poet refers to our country’s decision to go to war as an example of the violence that exists amongst the majority social class. In “The Watcher”, Dr. Dre redefines the negative characteristic of violence by pointing to the police force as the source of violence, and therefore, referring to them as “gangster-like”: Things just ain't the same for gangstas Cops is anxious to put people in handcuffs They wanna hang us, see us dead or enslave us Keep us trapped in the same place we raised in Then they wonder why we act so outrageous Run around stressed out and pull out gauges Cause everytime you let the animal out cages It's dangerous, to people who look like strangers Here, the poet accuses the majority class of keeping them “trapped in the same place we raised in” and that the perceived violence is only due to the introduction of “people who look like strangers.” These are examples of how hip-hop artists redefine the image of violence by showing how it exists or was created within the majority social group. Drugs Another common disputed stereotype of hip-hop artists is their use and distribution of illegal drugs. In attempts to redefine this negative characteristic, many hip-hop artists have pointed at the majority social group as the facilitator of drug abuse. In “Justify My Thug”, Jay-Z speaks directly to members of government, raising questions about who has made the availability and use of these drugs possible: Mr. President, there's drugs in our residence Tell me what you want me to do, come break bread with us Mr. Governor, I swear there's a cover up Every other corner there's a liquor store - what is up? In this example, the poet inquires as to why there is a liquor store in “every other corner” of his community. In “I Want to Talk to You”, Nas uses the same approach to challenge the notion of drug distribution by asking his representatives what they would do in his situation: Why y'all made it so hard, damn People gotta go create their own job Mr. Mayo,r imagine if this was your backyard Mr. Governo,r imagine if it was your kids that starved Imagine your kids gotta sling crack to survive Here, the poet claims that the distribution of drugs is not only an effect of the poverty that exists in his environment, but also a means of survival. In “Manifesto”, Talib Kweli actually accuses the government of being the body which allows drugs into the country: Like the C.I.A. be bringin’ in crack cocaine bailin’ out of planes With the George Bush connections, I push Reflection Like I'm sellin’ izm, like a dealer buildin’ the system Supply and the demand it's all capitalism People don't sell crack cause they like to see blacks smoke People sell crack cause they broke In this example, the poet accuses the C.I.A. of flying drugs into the country, and again reiterates the point that it is a means of survival due to the “supply and demand” of a capitalist society. In “Damn It Feels Good to be a Gangster”, the Geto Boys fully redefine the negative characteristic of drug distribution by accusing the President of being a drug dealer, and therefore, a gangster: And now, a word from the President! Damn it feels good to be a gangsta Getting’ voted into the White House Everything lookin’ good to the people of the world But the Mafia family is my boss So every now and then I owe a favor gettin' down Like lettin' a big drug shipment through And send 'em to the poor community So we can bust you know who These examples show how hip-hop artists redefine the image of being drug dealers and users by again pointing to the majority class as the creator of the drug problem in this country. Materialism Hip-hop music is also seen by the majority class as a genre dominated by materialism. Again, artists point back to the majority class in an attempt to redefine this negative characteristic. In “Respiration”, Black Star points to all the wealth surrounding urban areas, and how it absorbs the lower class in materialism, making them want parts of that wealth: Where mercenaries is paid to trade hot stock tips For profits, thirsty criminals take pockets Hard knuckles on the second hands of workin’ class watches Skyscrapers is colossus, the cost of living Is preposterous, stay alive, you play or die, no options Here, the poet talks about various materialistic aspects of the majority class, and how the lower class must “play or die” to “stay alive.” In “All Falls Down”, Kanye West actually blames this materialism on American society: It seems we living the American dream But the people highest up got the lowest self esteem The prettiest people do the ugliest things For the road to riches and diamond rings In this example, the poet blames the “American dream” for materialism, saying it causes people to “do the ugliest things” for “riches and diamond rings.” In “Los Angeles Times”, Xzibit also blames this materialism on the majority class, claiming that is what the youth are taught coming up in urban environments: Welcome to L.A. Where you can see the whole city burning Cause the cops got Uzis and the dealers keep serving And your kids ain't learning it, except this Sex power and wealth, forget everything else Here, the poet expresses his belief that certain aspects of materialism, including “power and wealth” are taught to children through occurrences in society. These are examples how hip-hop artists redefine the negative characteristic of being materialistic by showing examples of how this materialism is prevalent in the majority class, and often created within that class. Sex And the final debated stereotype of the hip-hop social class is that they are sexually promiscuous, often leading to disrespectful treatment towards women. The poets also attempt to redefine this stereotype by blaming the core of the problem on society. In “Pussy Galore”, the Roots claim that the country’s obsession with sex is pushed by sexually-driven marketing campaigns: Lookin' out the limo window up at the billboards 200 miles, she was the only thing I saw Promotin' everything, from the liquor to the nicotine Cell phones, anti-histamines, chicken wings You gotta show a little skin to get them listening For real yo, the world is a sex machine In this example, the poet retells a personal experience in which he saw sex advertisements as “promotin’ everything.” And in order to “get them listening”, he claims, “you gotta show a little skin.” In “Get By”, Talib Kweli blames this sexual obsession on what we view on television: The TV got us reachin’ for stars Not the ones between Venus and Mars, The ones that be readin’ for parts Some people get breast enhancements and penis enlargers Here, the poet expresses his belief that television creates a misconception of what people should be sexually, and that contributes to the promiscuity that is being blamed on the hip-hop movement. Hip-hop artists have used their lyrics and poetry to influence the rejection and reconstruction of the gangster identity that plagues their social class. This is accomplished through the redefining of negative characteristics assigned by the majority class. In most cases, these redefinitions include pointing to the majority class as the real holders of these negative characteristics. The redefining of these “gangster-like” images through hip-hop lyrics helps to reconstruct the gangster identity by questioning “gangster-like” behaviors and which social class actually has these behaviors. So the question presented is: Who exactly are the gangsters? Works Cited / Discography 2 Pac. 2Pacalypse Now. Jive Records, 1991. Black Star. Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star. Rawkus Records, 1998. Coates, Jennifer. Women, Men and Language. Longman Publishing, New York: 1993. Dr. Dre. The Chronic 2001. Interscope Records, 1999. Eminem. The Marshall Mathers LP. Interscope Records, 2000. Geto Boys. Uncut Dope LP. Interscope Records, 1999. Haugen, Jason. “‘Unladylike Divas’: Language, Gender and Female Gangster Rappers.” Popular Music and Society: December, 2003. Jay Z. The Black Album. Def Jam, 2003. Kanye West. College Dropout. Roc-A-Fella Records, 2004. Nas. I Am. Sony Records, 1999. Rakim. Don’t Sweat the Technique. MCA Records, 1992. Rawkus Records. Lyricist Lounge Volume 1. Priority Records, 1999. Slaughter, Peter. “Attack on Rap Music.” Barutiwa Weekly News. June 14, 1997. Talib Kweli & DJ Hi-Tek. Train of Thought. Rawkus Records, 2000. Talib Kweli. Quality. Rawkus Records, 2003. The Roots. Phrenology. MCA Records, 2002. Whaley, Angela. “Hip Hop is Not for Sale.” Colorado State University’s Talking Back: Volume 3, Issue 1. Xzibit. 40 Days and 40 Nights. Loud Records, 1998.