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This tread is going off on a bit of tangent, but it's a useful one. As much as I hate using the 'blame it on the music' argument (nothing worse than sounding like your parents), I think it could be valid in this case.
Almost every week, we hear about a stabbing, a shooting, a major brawl, SOMETHING, at a club. The one thing that all of these different incidents have in common is that they all take place at clubs playing hip-hop/reggae.
I don't think this is much of a coincidence. Here we have an aggressive style of music that encourages and glorifies disresepect and raging because you can. Add alcohol and you have a recipe for anarchy. The second problem, nobody is discouraging this behaviour at hip hop clubs. Nobody in that particular party community seems outraged that jerkoff gang-bangers are shooting innocent party-goers.
I've been to a good number of parties over the past few years and from my vantage point, fights (let alone other violence) at house/trance nights/raves/etc. are exceedingly rare. The only time I've seen somebody even threaten to beat the hell out of somebody was at Tiesto in December (Boyfriend caught girlfriend with guy's tongue halfway down her throat). Even cops I've talked to like Trance shows because it's a relatively easy night for them. Violence simply isn't a problem in the House/Trance community.
Drugs may be another issue. The House/Trance community has had its share of drug problems. Few things scare parents more than hearing about kids overdosing on E. The fear of drug use has led politicians in some cities to ban large parties (Guelph is a good example). The difference between the Hip Hop and House communities is how they handle their particular problem. Promoters, DJs and party-goers have recognized this problem, and while still tolerating drug use, don't glorify it as a necessary part of the culture. The hip hop community, on the other hand seems to be revel in the supposed masculine ability to be a thug... er... asshole.
In response to criticism, the House/Trance community has placed certain restrictions on parties. For instance, how many all ages events are there? Once in a blue moon! This restricts (somewhat) underaged kids running into problems with E and other drugs. We have also striven to protray the positive elements of our subculture as the defining characteristics of being a fan. The vibe at most House/Trance parties is unbelievable - Freedom, Love, Unity, Peace. We are the New Aquarians (as opposed to neo-hippies).
The Hip Hop subculture has a long way to go. It's time to go beyond the 'Life ain't nothin' but bitches and money' theme that has been the hallmark of hip hop for the past 15 years. I miss the good old days, when hip hop used to be about questioning the racist double-standard of 'The Man' (See Run DMC and Public Enemy). Now it's just tyring to be as shocking as possible to give comfortable middle class white kids something to supposedly rebel with.
Pretty shallow.
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