Modern gangstas suck.

[Lawdog1521]

What happened to the old days when it was cool to be "gangsta"? (http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/01/12/man-shot-dead-twitter-murder/?test=latestnews)

What's next? "Yo B, you best step off my Zwinky account."

[back_blows]

I told a guy to step-off on facebook.

[Lawdog1521]

I told a guy to step-off on facebook.

You straight up thug, home boy.

[CCDaDon]

This isn't even the dumbest thug related death I've seen all year... Unless you want to, you know, not include the local ones I've seen.

It was never cool to be gangsta, only cool to play one in a movie.

[BevoTheWarrior]

It was never cool to be gangsta, only cool to play one in a movie.

Ice Cube did both.

[Baanu_Rass]

More horrifying story. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,582751,00.html?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a4:g4:r3:c0. 000000:b0:z5)

[CCDaDon]

I don't remember a movie where Ice Cube played a gangsta... If he did, Are We There Yet knocked that out of my brain forever.

[BevoTheWarrior]

He got his acting start playing Dough Boy in Boyz N The Hood. And it was probably the best "gangsta" ever portrayed on film.

[CCDaDon]

You know... I've never seen Boyz N The Hood(Go ahead, sue me).

I guess I should though...

Anyway, I'm sorry but Scarface >>>>> _______________

[Cubecubed]

More horrifying story. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,582751,00.html?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a4:g4:r3:c0. 000000:b0:z5)

Oh my god no. that is literally the most terrifying headline i've ever seen.

[BevoTheWarrior]

Well, Scarface isn't technically "gangsta". I'd call him more of a crime lord, criminal kingpin or "gangster". To me the term "gangsta" describes an urban youth (of any race) that is a member of a street gang. There's a big difference between the "er" at the end as opposed to the "a". :D

[Lawdog1521]

You know... I've never seen Boyz N The Hood(Go ahead, sue me).

I guess I should though...


It’s a great film and one of the most influential of the 90’s. In retrospect it comes off as a little cliché but you have to keep in mind it was one of the first to show that kind of urban violence and lifestyle. In fact one could argue Boyz N the Hood influenced the whole “gangsta” lifestyle not only in film but in real life.

John Singleton is a great director and all of the actors provide great performances. (Fishburn particularly stands out.) Boyz N the Hood is to "Gangsta" as Goodfelles is to "Gangster".

There was a thread on GTA: San Andresa a few days ago on here. If not for Boyz, SA would have never seen the light of day.

[topperharley]

Scarface >>>>> _______________

That's because gangster >>>>>>>>>> gangsta. Gangsters, while violent, had class. They had style. Gangstas are nothing more than street thugs.


It’s a great film and one of the most influential of the 90’s.

And I will never ever watch it.

[Ehfahq]

That's because gangster >>>>>>>>>> gangsta. Gangsters, while violent, had class.


:rolleyes:

You need to do some research. Dressing in a suit doesnt make you classy.

[topperharley]

Wow. Thank you for that obvious and unnecessary statement that completely missed the point I was making.

[Ehfahq]

Im sorry but cant stand by and watch somebody claim a person has class because hes wearing a suit while shooting a cop in the face. And just to clue you in, I didnt miss your point. I directly addressed it.

[topperharley]

Where, in my post, did I equate wearing a suit with class? And where, in my post, did I condone what gangsters did? Whether you care to admit it or not (and you obviously don't), you did miss my point. Several of them, in fact. But I really don't want to argue this any further, since it's pointless to do so with you.

[RidethePiggy]

This is taken way out of context, the shooting occured due to a fight over a girl. Sure, it was discussed over Twitter but Twitter really has nothing to do with it.

This is why the US is regarded as one of the most ignorant countries. There is a severe lack of reading comprehension in the nation.

Also, for the gangsters vs gangstas argument:
Scarface is a crappy movie. Cult classic yes, good movie? No. Being a mafioso boss/member did require some tact and "class" (moreso than just wearing a suit) because you couldn't just run out and shoot any cop. Politics my man, politics is what makes the difference between a -er and -a.

[Ehfahq]

Im trying to figure out where you even got off calling a gangster classy. The only difference I see is the way they dress. Everything else they do is the same.

Where in my post did I say that you condone what gangters do? I didnt.

What exactly is your point? Because I see your point as this: gangtas are not classy, gangsters are. Because thats exactly what you posted. And what I addressed.

My response was that they are not classy.

". But I really don't want to argue this any further"

I dont blame you. You just backed yourself into a hole. But hey you can blow me off if you want.

[topperharley]

Scarface is a crappy movie. Cult classic yes, good movie? No.

I agree there. Well, not crappy, but average at best. And I don't think it was just the fact that so much hype had been built up in my mind by the time that I saw it, that the movie just didn't live up to the hype. It just wasn't as great a movie as so many people claim it to be. It was twice as long as it should have been, for starters, and Pacino went way past chewing on the scenery to devouring it like a starving man at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

[RidethePiggy]

I agree there. Well, not crappy, but average at best. And I don't think it was just the fact that so much hype had been built up in my mind by the time that I saw it, that the movie just didn't live up to the hype. It just wasn't as great a movie as so many people claim it to be. It was twice as long as it should have been, for starters, and Pacino went way past chewing on the scenery to devouring it like a starving man at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

That last sentence made me picture him with his head buried in that massive mound of coke.

Average, sure, I think the amount of glorification that it receives now makes me hate the movie more than it deserves.

[bermuddy]

scarface depicts cubans as poorly dressed, violent coke addicts and as such i boycott that movie.

[Banky71]

Scarface was my favorite movie when I was young.

[bermuddy]

there are lots of grandparents who had that as a favorite movie.

[DarthAthema]

All the gangstas from the "good old days" got shot to death. Now they're just finding new and, maybe dumber, reasons to shoot each other.

[topperharley]

I think the amount of glorification that it receives now makes me hate the movie more than it deserves.

Me too.

[monkeyfish]

Im trying to figure out where you even got off calling a gangster classy. The only difference I see is the way they dress. Everything else they do is the same.

Where in my post did I say that you condone what gangters do? I didnt.

What exactly is your point? Because I see your point as this: gangtas are not classy, gangsters are. Because thats exactly what you posted. And what I addressed.

My response was that they are not classy.

". But I really don't want to argue this any further"

I dont blame you. You just backed yourself into a hole. But hey you can blow me off if you want.

I think what he meant was, gangsters are legitimate organized crime syndicates that can alter politics to their favor without gunfire. Gangstas are typically just "shoot until they die" towards opposition, who are not really opposition but people they don't like. Class and style were the wrong choice of words. Organization and business-sense, perhaps.

[Ehfahq]

I wouldnt know what he meant because he wasnt man enough to back up his words. But if he meant it that way I can understand.

[topperharley]

You just backed yourself into a hole. But hey you can blow me off if you want.

You got the last part of that correct, at least. Let me clarify what I am saying. Both are violent criminals. But gangsters have a class and a style that gangstas do not have (saying that they have class and style was an unfortunate overstatement, but others didn't seem to get as hung up on it as you did, apparently). And it has nothing to do with wearing a suit or not (although wearing a suit is certainly more classy than FUBU, Sean John, and Phat Farm). As others were able to discern from my posts, there's a legitimacy and tact to how the mob runs its operations that street gangs don't have, and that is what, in my opinion (key words here), gives gangsters the class and style that gangstas don't have.


he wasnt man enough to back up his words.

Did that make you feel nice and superior?

[Banky71]

there are lots of grandparents who had that as a favorite movie.

That was low. Funny...but low. :D

[Ehfahq]

Nice well thought out back pedal.

Superior? Nope. I just call it as I see it. Were done.

[aggiesrul8]

No class = Drive-by shootings over drugs/turf

Class = Tying a cinderblock to a person's legs and shoving them into a river

(just busting chops... ;))

[Lawdog1521]

The line between “gangsta” and “gangster” is negligible. Hollywood’s portrayal of “gangster” tends to only show the hierarchy of the families and not the end result of their crimes. Nowhere in The Godfather does it show the results of how the family makes it’s money. Extortion, prostitution, smuggling, and theft are just a few of the many ways they victimize the community.

But Hollywood focuses on the family rather than the crimes. And from a story perspective that is what makes these film so entertaining. But don’t be fooled. The Cosa Nostra is primarily poorly educated thugs who will shot, rob, and steal for a few bucks. The number of John Gotti’s are miniscule compared to them, John just gets all the attention.

Now take the media portrayal of the “gangsta”. The most recognizable member presented in this group is the street level operator, the most common and visible member. The focus tends to be on the crimes themselves, the drug dealing and the violence. As such it’s perceived as though they lack the operational ability the Cosa Nostra maintains. Yet gangs such as the Crips, Bloods, and Latin Kings operate nationally and have a well developed hierarchy.

The reality is there is a certain level of racism in Hollywood's portrayal of the two groups. Both groups are scum, but one constantly gets shown in a better light.


And one last note, there is nothing wrong with my reading comprehension skills. I just find it amusing that a twitter account was the catalyst for this fight regardless of what the underlying cause is. I find it humorous that a guy that’s trying to act tough is even using twitter to begin with.

[Ehfahq]

The line between “gangsta” and “gangster” is negligible.

This is spot on. The only difference is the way they talk and dress.

[topperharley]

That would be one opinion. Others may have differing opinions.

[monkeyfish]

This is spot on. The only difference is the way they talk and dress.

I wouldn't quite say that. The mafia generally frown upon smalltime burglary, i.e. a mugging, as well as kidnapping, which attracts unwanted attention from public and police. The street gangs don't seem to be so picky with their illegal activities.

So in that sense, you could see the gangsters as wanting to focus on a low profile, whereas gangstas either feel like they are forced into the gang lifestyle, or maybe like to advertise it with their violence.

[CCDaDon]

Well... The typical "Gangster" is in organised crime... The Typical "Gangsta" is... well... Unorganised...

[Ehfahq]

I wouldn't quite say that. The mafia generally frown upon smalltime burglary, i.e. a mugging, as well as kidnapping, which attracts unwanted attention from public and police. The street gangs don't seem to be so picky with their illegal activities.

So in that sense, you could see the gangsters as wanting to focus on a low profile, whereas gangstas either feel like they are forced into the gang lifestyle, or maybe like to advertise it with their violence.

Maybe im just hung up on the old school gangsters. I read up on a few of the east coast crime familys a few years ago. Its amazing how the small time thugs got so big. And how they killed each other off.

[BevoTheWarrior]

Well... The typical "Gangster" is in organised crime... The Typical "Gangsta" is... well... Unorganised...

That pretty much sums it up.

And, for the record, I've always thought that "Scarface" from '83 was a good movie but incredibly overrated.

[afterstasis]

gotta say, i'm not one to think about high or low class, but committing crimes of passion or stealing to survive sounds a lot cooler to me than rich guys in suits making a big business of it all.

DIY OR DIE!

[Ehfahq]

That pretty much sums it up.

And, for the record, I've always thought that "Scarface" from '83 was a good movie but incredibly overrated.

Isnt it funny when they go to a rappers house on cribs there is always a HUGE Scarface poster?

I think most gansters movies are boring. Im not saying they are bad. The Godfather is a good movie, I just cant get into it.

I did like Boys n the hood. But maybe because I lived close to the area.

[BevoTheWarrior]

I remember somebody on Cribs years ago had the Scarface poster on their blinds so that when they were closed it became the massive poster. I laughed uncontrollably; it was such a stupid idea. And I agree about Boyz N the Hood - I like it much more than Scarface. The thing about Boyz N the Hood is that it wasn't trying to glorify being in a gang, it was just a drama (a damn good one) about people that are in gangs.

[Ehfahq]

You forgot the best part of Boyz: Cuba's awesome yellow and black outfit. He made MC Hammer jealous with those clothes.

[Lawdog1521]

I wouldn't quite say that. The mafia generally frown upon smalltime burglary, i.e. a mugging, as well as kidnapping, which attracts unwanted attention from public and police. The street gangs don't seem to be so picky with their illegal activities.

So in that sense, you could see the gangsters as wanting to focus on a low profile, whereas gangstas either feel like they are forced into the gang lifestyle, or maybe like to advertise it with their violence.


In 1941, Angelo Salvatore Ruggiero Sr. was born in the South Bronx. A high school dropout, Ruggiero grew up with future Gambino boss John Gotti and underboss Sammy Gravano. In the 1950s, Ruggiero was arrested for street fighting, public intoxication, car theft, bookmaking, possession of an illegal firearm, and burglary. Several of his recorded arrests as a juvenile delinquent were in the company of John Gotti. In 1966, Ruggiero and Gotti were arrested for attempting to steal a cement mixer truck.

Angelo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelo_Ruggiero) ran with Gotti... I don't see how they're crimes where "higher" in stature than a common criminal.

Benji (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Ruggiero) stole quarters out of parking meters even in his old age.

The notion gangsters are above that is a myth. Anything that makes them money, they will do.

[Lawdog1521]

Well... The typical "Gangster" is in organised crime... The Typical "Gangsta" is... well... Unorganised...


That pretty much sums it up.


That’s not really true though. I would say the structure is looser, but it’s still there. Even in lower levels there’s structure. There’s a clear set pecking order and a code that’s supposed to followed.

It isn’t, but then again the mob breaks their rules all the time. I would compare it to the way a smaller, regional business runs it’s operations, like Save Mart here in CA, to the way a large corporation runs it’s business nationally, like Walmart.

Both sell produce, both have a structure. But Walmart (the mafia) is on a much more complex scale.

(Did I just compare Walmart to the mob?)

[BevoTheWarrior]

(Did I just compare Walmart to the mob?)

It was an apt comparison.

[Lawdog1521]

You forgot the best part of Boyz: Cuba's awesome yellow and black outfit. He made MC Hammer jealous with those clothes.

I know this is 3 post in a row but I had to say I love that shirt. :)

Did you notice the pedestrians that wore it in GTA:SA?

[Ehfahq]

I know this is 3 post in a row but I had to say I love that shirt. :)

Did you notice the pedestrians that wore it in GTA:SA?

Hehehe, I thought I was the only one.

[monkeyfish]

Angelo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelo_Ruggiero) ran with Gotti... I don't see how they're crimes where "higher" in stature than a common criminal.

Benji (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Ruggiero) stole quarters out of parking meters even in his old age.

The notion gangsters are above that is a myth. Anything that makes them money, they will do.

While I have no idea who Benji is and don't have the energy to digest a Wiki page at the moment, your little quote on Angelo was taken when he was still a teenager. As for the cement truck, maybe that was a necessary attempt? Because seriously, a cement truck, are you going to pawn that or what?

Anywho, what I meant was, the mafia isn't concerned with (and may even punish) petty theft, instead focusing on a bigger picture. But the street gangs don't have any ruling against it at all, and because of the gang's less hidden nature, the lower level thugs can go on a spree without worrying what their boss equivalents think.

[Lawdog1521]

While I have no idea who Benji is and don't have the energy to digest a Wiki page at the moment, your little quote on Angelo was taken when he was still a teenager. As for the cement truck, maybe that was a necessary attempt? Because seriously, a cement truck, are you going to pawn that or what?

Anywho, what I meant was, the mafia isn't concerned with (and may even punish) petty theft, instead focusing on a bigger picture. But the street gangs don't have any ruling against it at all, and because of the gang's less hidden nature, the lower level thugs can go on a spree without worrying what their boss equivalents think.

That’s a fallacy though. The higher level members only have two rules concerned to crime.

1. Don’t get caught and bring it back to me.

2. Meet your quota.


And 2 is the most important, because if you're producing a certain level you better keep turning in that amount or you’ll be cut. Literally.

I can give you example after example of petty crimes engaged in by mobsters. Those were just two.

(By the way the readers digest version on Benji, known as Lefty, was he was the guy that brought Donnie Brasco into the mob. Brasco (Pistone) being an FBI agent who would do massive damage to the organization.)

[Pwnz0r3d]

Gangsta - Idiots who group together, commiting every single common felony because its "cool"

Gangsters - Families (or just groups) who control the underground (drugs, prostitution etc), in an organized, tight way. Read "people with brains that are to be feared" not mindless morons to be pitied by.

[Meatwad555]

Gangsta - Idiots who group together, commiting every single common felony because its "cool"

Gangsters - Families (or just groups) who control the underground (drugs, prostitution etc), in an organized, tight way. Read "people with brains that are to be feared" not mindless morons to be pitied by.

Gangstas be hard though, mayne.

[Lawdog1521]

Gangsta - Idiots who group together, commiting every single common felony because its "cool"

Gangsters - Families (or just groups) who commit every single common felony because "they get paid"

Fixed.

[DethTung]

The word "gangster" used to mean people like Al Capone, who were respected and feared- not to mention powerful and with broken moral compasses. Now, it's the word "gangsta," and it means idiotic thugs who commit stupid crimes and end up becoming a stereotype of urban black teens.

[plague]

I thought that both groups being discussed were called gangsters. Just different gangs.

[moose39]

When I hear the word gangster, I think Al Capone, the 1920's, the Mafia.

When I hear the word gangsta, I think ESR, the crew of 8th-11th graders in my town who thinks it's cool to tag on the desks at school with pencils and on the walls in the bathrooms with Sharpies.