Introduction

Mission Statement

This blog exists with the sole purpose of researching and providing information on all things CRUNK, be it an involvement of craziness and drunkenness, chronic and drunkenness, or simply the genre of music representative of either.

What is Crunk Music?

Crunk music generally bases its roots from artists such as The Goodie Mob, OutKast and Lil Jon. While the movement began sometime around the mid 90s, it has been developing through many influences in what is known as the ‘Dirty South’ culture. The music is characterized by regionally specific terms and rapping styles that set it apart from the rap of New York and the West Coast. Dirty South artists strived to achieve a sound that is representative of their voice, expression and location. Often times Dirty South musicians found that they did not always relate to the popular rap and hip/hop music of other regions. Crunk music and the Dirty South was developed as a response to this issue. Unfortunately for some time, Crunk musicians found it difficult to break through onto the radio waves that were dominated by the artists of other regions. Radio stations refused to play music of the Dirty South, as it was not what people were familiar with and the artists did not have the widespread popularity of other hip-hop sub-genres.

Hip-Hop musicians and artists virtually did not exist in the South in the 80s until independent labels began to sprout out of major hubs, such as Atlanta. As Major labels refused to publish the artists of the South, hopeful, independent hip-hop producers began to develop their own companies in an attempt to strengthen the new industry. Crunk music also came to rise within the election of U.S. President Bill Clinton, who found himself referenced in songs by the Goodie Mob. President Clinton embodied the Southern identity and provided hope in the poverty stricken Dirty South, often times referred to as “the first black president”.

By 2000, the Dirty South found itself legitimized from what was an ‘imagined region’ as well as becoming a new movement in the form of a rap sub-genre. It’s grassroots following had paid off and the Dirty South industry begin to pick up the pace. Much like the ‘country/redneck’ views toward Southern caucasians, Southern African-Americans initially found themselves criticized for their ‘country-style’ hip-hop.

Many definitions of Dirty South have been provided throughout its existence. Most controversy exists around the choice of the word ‘Dirty’ within the title. Dirty can develop a myriad of connotations, ranging from the poverty and corruption in many black neighborhoods, to political ‘dirtiness’, to a sexual connotation found within the lyrics. Many artists have shed light upon the meaning of ‘Dirty South’ which, in all, seems to incorporate all aspects of Southern ‘dirtiness’. The ‘Dirty South’ stakes a claim on a new African-American Southern identity, providing the theme of the South’s rise to power as an African-American based force rather than a ‘white confederate’ force. Rather than represent one definition of the ‘Dirty South’, this sub-genre of hip/hop incorporates all of the African-American culture of the South.

Many possible claims exist as an approach to reviewing Crunk/Dirty South hip-hop. One option involves viewing Crunk music as a socially enabling device for impoverished southern African-American groups of people (and possibly an influential reference for other ‘oppressed’ regions) VS. a crippling stereotype of African-American culture. Another could look at the industry boom of Crunk hip-hop as either an excellent example of pop-culture resistance and persistent advertising technique VS. Crunk hip-hop as an already ‘peaked’ fad that will wear itself then and eventually cause its own downfall and retirement.

It is apparent that Crunk music is more than just the superficial party music than how it is initially interpreted.  While the music is often played and enjoyed in the “club” scene, where it often corresponds with partying and “crazy” behavior, drunkenness and occasional drug use, it is also seen as an expression of the often overlooked southern rap society.  Crunk represents the South in a way that previous styles of rap were unable to relate to.  The ’Dirty South’ was given a voice as well as popular appeal through the form of Crunk music, which now provides an identity and sound in a new region of hip-hop.