Expressions in English since the early nineties in Russia at the peak of popularity. Many saw T-shirts with the phrase Thug Life. What it is? The answer can be given only after a detailed study of rap culture, because it was from there that this expression came, which is primarily slang. If you learn more about what is behind these words in more detail, then wearing a T-shirt with this phrase will be more honorable.
How to translate Thug Life
This expression of ulterior motive is now at the peak of popularity, because gansta rap is in fashion again. From the English Thug Life - the life of a gangster or "life of a gangster." This expression was first used in the USA in the early nineties. Then at the peak of popularity was the
rapper 2Pac, who so called his group.
However, his translation was somewhat different. Initially, another meaning was put into the expression of Thug Life, what it is - we will analyze it in detail below. In fact, this phrase is not 2, but 8 words. We will not give the translation literally, since it is not very decent. In meaning, this abbreviation is deciphered as follows: the hatred that you put in children is returned to you. The rapper chose tougher words in his style.
Thug Life in Rap Culture
Tupac Shakur invested several meanings in Thug Life. What is this in terms of rap history? That's what he called his group, which brought together the cousin of the artist Mopreme Shakur and the rappers Big Syke, Macadoshis, Rated R. For the first two years, the rapper association worked on the first album, which was released in 1994.
Immediately after this event, the quintet disintegrated, as Tupak was facing a real prison term. Several times he tried to reassemble, but the rappers refused. They tried to start a solo career, but they cannot be called successful musicians.
History of the movement
If you ask Americans: Thug Life - what is it, then in most cases they will tell you not about a little-known rap group, but the movement created by Shakur in the early nineties. The first thoughts about the need to create a social movement came to Tupak’s head in 1992, he discussed this idea with his stepfather, who was in prison at that time.
At the same time, he began to act and even managed to reconcile the leaders of the two warring factions Crips and Bloods. They publicly announced that from now on they will adhere to the code created by the rapper. Of course, the rules in each ghetto were tailored for themselves, but on the whole, the change in the attitude of society towards blacks and tolerance, which in the modern world does not surprise anyone, originated precisely thanks to Tupac.
Why the movement was created
Thug Life was invented for a reason. The attitude of white Americans to the ghetto at that time was biased. Blacks were considered second-class people who could only rob, kill and distribute drugs. It was pointless to get education for children from disadvantaged areas, as there were problems with employment. Marriages in the ghetto were very fragile, because because of their lifestyle, fathers often went into custody some time after the birth of their offspring, and women did not wait for their release. Meanwhile, not everyone wanted to lead such a lifestyle, many tried to fight for their rights.
In 1831, Americans called the revolt an attempt by Nat Turner to defend their rights. Frederick Douglas, Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X were also misunderstood - they were considered a public threat. Even Martin Luther King came under a wave of misunderstanding of society, was declared a communist and enemy of America. Tupac had similar problems, although he created the movement with good intentions.
Thug Life Philosophy
The rapper’s first mistake was to name his movement Thug Life; his translation was perceived incorrectly, that is, literally - the life of a bandit. Although in fact he called for an end to violence and raising children in accordance with the new rules. This gave future generations a chance to achieve more in life than their parents. Equality today is the fruits that have come from Tupac's philosophy.
The movement was based on the idea that even a black man could achieve what he wanted in life. It’s enough to make an effort and strive for a better life. In order not to forget about the ghetto and the struggle for equality, Shakur made a tattoo on his stomach with the phrase Thug Life.
Codex
Understanding what Thug Life is is not possible unless you study the code of this community in detail. Its main goal was to unite groups and exclude from them those who are ready to betray or act outside the framework of existing rules. Most of the code concerned drugs. From the moment it was signed by black factions in the ghetto, tough rules began to apply. In many women, drugs were not sold; in others, access to them was terminated during pregnancy. Children could not get such drugs, although before they were sold even in schools.
The Thug Life Code regulated not only the life in the ghetto, but also the principles of the gangs that inhabited these territories. The disputes between the black factions began to be resolved not by force, but through diplomatic negotiations. To do this, in each gang, a special person was selected to settle disputes.
Concerts of rap artists and parties, according to the new rules, have become places where violence has no place. If earlier mass events were accompanied by shooting and stabbing, then since 1992 they began to take place more peacefully. Meaningless violence and aggression were excluded from the life of blacks. Unquestioningly, it was decided to respect the elders. Those who respect themselves did not become objects of ridicule and violence, on the contrary, they began to be equated. Overall, thanks to the Thug Life code and movement, attitudes toward blacks in society have gradually begun to change.