reflection paper 5:The West Coast, ‘Gangsta’ Rap and Rodney King

After reading, watching, listening and then reflecting on the various materials from Week 7consider the following points (in 2-4 pages):

• From the examples in this week’s course materials, what was the tone of the music in the time leading up to, during and after the Rodney King trial and verdict?
• How did these examples of West Coast hip-hop music differ from the traditions established by East Coast hip-hop to that point?
• What role, if any, did social factors such as race, class and gender play in the cultural dynamics of what was happening artistically during this period on the West Coast?
• In your view, what were some of the factors that led to the massive popularity of ‘gangsta’ rap?