1991 No. 1 CONTENTS - Institute of Social and Cultural ...

Rapping 139
In the 'Dozens', boys distance themselves from the mother-son relationship.
The relationship with their peers comes fust. Within the peer-group, they express
their identity. At the same time, it confirms the separation between life on the
streets and life at home. The insults are part of street socialization. The verbal
insults are an ambivalent activity combining play with real life; in the ghetto the
threat of violence is real, in the 'Dozens' it is hidden under the surface.
Insults are incorporated in many rap lyrics. The insults are speech acts in the
larger speech event of the rap perfonnance. Some rappers, like Hostyle, go further
than the 'Dozens'; their raps contain highly explicit lyrics, directed not towards
mothers, but girlfriends: 'every time my guys haul you, they give me a callI coz'
your pussy's like rubber, one size fits all.' Sexual adventures in raps often have
ironic or humorous intentions; young Blacks (male and female) test their limits and
try out role models.
6. Language Use in Raps
The language use of gbetto youth in raps depends on multiple factors. Language
competence is developed at home and on the streets, through education and the
socialization process. The use of a special language, i.e. slang, is a means of
separating oneself from others. In rap, we find a combination of Black English
and slang terminology. For most young Blacks, the use of slang is connected with
their peer group and life on the streets. Black English is linked with the home and
the streets. Many of the grammatical structures of Black English, as described by
such linguists as Baugb (I983) and Smitherman (I fJ77), are found in rap lyrics.
The following are some common examples:
Deletion of 'to be':
The invariable 'be':
The progressive 'been':
Switching alternation of
'was'/'were\ single/plural:
she real skinny
who you lookin' at with a face like
that
you be on a mission
females be out here
I think it be cheaper
they been goin' at it since time began
they been had by a hustler
we was with it
me an' my girl was watchin' VHS
you's got to chill
while they all is gettin' together