Why are there so many FAKE thugs out there?

Question

I think with the permeation of the California gangster/outlaw lifestyle on early 1990's rap (NWA) many easily influenced black men idolized these 9 feet tall seemingly bullet-proof guys who commanded respect, made money materialize out of nowhere and women swoon with a change of facial expression. Now there is a crop of "fake thugs" of all races who are taking on the outer personna of these guys but are as soft as grandma's cookies.

Many of them come from middle class homes or if it is a single parent home the mother is hardworking and often-times educated and he just insists as if he is from the projects and had to eat pine-sol with his cheerios.

Do you have any expierences with fake thugs?

Why do you think that this is become so attractive for young guys and the girls that are swooning after them?

Is this the theme that is at the heart of the new movie Alpha Dog?

It seems that the "real" thugs are in thier own self destruct mode and stay clear of "squares" and are only around other crooks, thieves etc. Fake thugs annoy the rest of us because they socialize with regular folk. Real thugs are having a meeting somewhere in a burned out warehouse with enough guns to start a war. fake thugs are in front of the 7/11 tripping little kids and smoking Newport cigarettes. They don't get in enough trouble to get put away but they don't do what they are supposed to do and make life easy for the rest of us.

Answer 1

Its a trend, they will get over it.

Answer 2

I liked the wording in your question...soft as Grandmas cookies..cute
I totally agree with what you are saying. I have a friend whos son thinks he is a gangster. His Dad is a high ranking enlisted soldier and the kids have mostly grown up in Germany on a military base but to hear him tell it..hes had a 'hard' life. He tries very hard to be a bada** and act hardcore..its almost painful to watch him...I think music 'entertainers' have a huge influence on these guys. They have it all and then some. Altho I haven't seen Alpha Dog (can't say that I will either) I am sure this is the kind of movie a whole lot of fake thugs have been waiting for.

Answer 3

Fear of being afraid,if you look like a lion,roar like a lion and your part of a pack,you feel like a lion and act like a lion,you just hope no one gets close enough to recognize that your all wearing fancy dress costumes,hidden behind the costume you can act fearless,pose a threat,and feel some sense of power. control and pride ,after all not many people would approach a pack of lions to see if there's a zipper along their back,when someone has a suspicion that you might not be all you seem to be,separates you from the pack and checks you out what more often than not they will find is a clone of the lion in the wizard of Oz. Maybe not a great way to describe it ,but in my warped mind i know what i mean lol

Answer 4

I think a majority of the "fake thugs" come from background of poverty and have little or no real options in breaking out.

Therefore, what they identify the most with, is the "gansta rap" lifestyle which has it's roots in the very lifestyle in which they live - hence, they identify with it and then imitate it and emulate it.

They don't come from the "true" hardcore shoot-'em' up inner city streets, but identify with the hopelessness and poverty anyway.

Therefore, you get thugs with an outward appearance of gangsters, but with an empty inner core.

Answer 5

I grew up in the hood and I only briefly bought into the thug lifestyle. I came to realize that respect was gained by taking advantage of the weak or by taking advantage of those who had not yet realized their strength. Thugs are admired as tough, brave, and hardcore. But in actuality thugs, fake or real, are bullies. I was called lame because I did not wear my balls on my sleeve. I knew I was a man and did not need to prove it. I realized how pvssy these guys were when one day one of em tried to punk me. He must have listened to the other cats that said I was a lame. He came at me talking crazy. He was sipping a drink. He said something smart, I told him to go fck his mother. He puffed out his chest and put his drink down. He thought I would back down, I didn’t. I threw my coat to the ground and started going for him. He retreated, running to his car talking bout “wait here”. So he was ready to fight when he did not think I would fight. But when he saw I was not scared of his azz he wanted to shoot me. From that day forward I have been punking so called thugs on the reg. 99% of them are btches.

Answer 6

It is immaturity and of course it has roots in psychological and emotional problems. The issues really overlap when you think about it. There is a hyper-male being projected out there and it does affect the masses of young people and immature adults. What is the solution?? Aaah, not sure- good education can never hurt.

Answer 7

I had to deal with one in the most unusual of places, Culinary school, if you can believe it.

We were in a class about hotel management... I can not even begin to say how wrong he was for that role.

the guy even sagged his suit slacks (it was part of the uniform) and they had to kick him out of class several times for violating the dress code...

I think it partially has to do with ticking off the parents, and to give others the feeling some how they are tougher than your average white guy.

Personally I just want to walk up to each of them and tell them to pull up their damn pants.

BTW this guy even did one of his presentations for class as a rap...

Don't get me wrong, he was a great guy... but his persona has no place in the hospitality world. other wise he will make a great manager some day.

Answer 8

Lots of experience, I live in the suburbs of Philly and there are many suburban, middle-upper class teens, young adults who like to play the thug lifestyle. It's a joke because when you confront them they back down like a little girl. You just have to have fun with it, make them cry or embarrass them infront of their thuggy friends.

Answer 9

95 percent of rappers are fake thugs y would a gangster tell other ppl about his gangster life

Answer 10

I think because there's a general thinking that being a thug, makes you easier to get money, fame, women, street cred' or probably other things you can think off.

If you see the gangsta rap video clip nowadays, the portrayal of gangsta rap were being surrounded by hot women and money.

Answer 11

It is just fashion - anyway I suppose fake thugs are better than real thugs! Sure are funnier! I know it totally cracks me up when I see teenagers/young men who are all "boyz in da 'hood" but you know they are from nice suburban homes and have mommies who tuck them in at night.