Gimmicks Perpetuation Stereotypes

Many musicians use various marketing gimmicks to promote their music and record sales. Sometimes these gimmicks include personal stories of a musician's life. These gimmicks often depict a lifestyle of hardship. One gimmick that rappers often use is called “keeping it real.” This method includes discussing the truths about black urban street life with drugs, violence, and crime. Rappers insist that they are rapping an accurate portrayal of life on the streets. However, Tricia Rose argues that this gimmick is perpetuating stereoptypes about African Americans and corporate executives are taking advantage of these real issues to sell records.