子彈歌謠：黑幫、鑽頭饒舌與網路臭名的威力

by Forrest Stuart, 佛瑞斯特・史都華, 鄭明宜 (Translator)

這是個集合了鑽頭饒舌、幫派暴力與社群媒體的故事，少年們掉進了自己拼命建立起來的「暴力人設」陷阱之中，難以脫身。
時代在變，美國的幫派少年很難像前輩一樣進入公司化的幫派組織靠販毒吃穿，此時，當他們看到「酋長基夫」這種跟他們出身類似的人靠著創作描繪幫派暴力的鑽頭饒舌音樂大紅特紅時，他們開始群起仿效。「有影片有真相」的社群媒體成為真正的舞台，讓他們的生活在粉絲眼中看來超級刺激。就算常常只是表演，但網紅世界真真假假，流量才是王道。腥羶色的內容永遠不缺觀眾，微網紅的身分也帶來許多甜頭。然而，鑽頭饒舌歌手講求「做自己」，觀眾亦期待微網紅「玩真的」，因此為了維持網路上的暴力人設，鑽頭歌手在線上不斷樹敵，在線下則需隨時保持警戒，小心別在手無寸鐵的情況下被仇敵堵到，不然除了網路上努力經營的暴力人設崩壞，小命更可能不保。 此外，數位足跡也引發了持續的後座力，讓他們不再可能藉由搬到其他社區從此「金盆洗手」；執法人員也會拿社群媒體的暴力內容當做呈堂證供，試圖將他們定罪。這群為了流量努力建立「暴力人設」的鑽頭饒舌少年，狠狠地掉進了自己挖的坑，難以脫身。究竟，這些引發潮流的子彈歌謠，反映的是赤貧非裔青少年在注意力經濟中出頭天的一線生機，抑或真的是諸多暴力事件的源頭？

Genres: Sociology, School, Music, Nonfiction, Ethnography, Academic, Politics

Unknown Binding

First published May 12, 2020

Reviews

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good ethnography that I feel helps overturn so many misconceptions through its detailed and personal approach.

Namely, it is easy to criticize gangs and drill music, yet in part, it comes from the same desire for dignity and recognition that exists in "safer, economically stable neighborhoods" where "privileged residents are free to engage in rabid online self-promotion—posting pictures with their diplomas, videos of their European vacations, or status updates from their prestigious internships—without worrying that this content will ever threaten their lives."

[Benny Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

drill music exists in this superposition where it feels impossible to talk about without recapitulating its violence through your own voyeurism. this book approaches this challenge with a gaze that is all at once scholarly and personal, critical and empathetic. it is a reminder of what ethnography can do at its best

[Niklas Laninge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fresh take! Impressive work, sociology and/or anthropology at its best ✊🏻🤘🏼🙌🏼.

[Amelia O’Halloran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost never rate non-fiction books, but this was just an incredible exposition of perception versus reality of crime through stories of violence-related music and music videos in Chicago. I read it as a response to the question of why perceptions of crime have increased even though actual crime rates have gone down in Chicago. Also appreciated the fascinating and generative analogies to Bourdieu’s “autodestructive homages” and Meyrowitz’s context collapse of media. Glad I read this!!!

[Della fuckboi · Rating 3 out of 5]

En bra etnografisk studie på gängkulturen i Chicago och dess påverkan av sociala medier. Stuart fångar alla de delar av platstagande, risktagande och intryckesstyrning för att förklara drillrapparnas vardag, och hur passerandet är den viktigaste överlevnadstekniken i gängkulturen.

En spännande bok som kan läsas som en skönlitterär bok och som inte kräver en djupare förståelse för kriminologiska teorier för att få en inblick i gängkultur på nätet.

[Malia Odekirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was thorough, well researched, well argued, and incredibly important. I was impressed by the balance in data, analysis, and theoretical grounding, which felt appropriate to the content and delivery. Theoretical grounding was an important part of the book but never overshadowed the data that Stuart gathered in his observations in person and online. He really allowed the voices of his participants to shine through and illuminate the inconsistencies he analyzed as especially damaging to their futures. Most prominently, he argued powerfully that while drillers perpetuate narratives of violence and criminality online, much of this acts as a ruse to 1) uphold their image as drillers, 2) protect them from rival gangs through (usually empty) threats, and 3) commodify their experiences. This is especially important to understand when considering that they try to commodify their images as drillers to make a living because their circumstances make it so difficult otherwise. When these videos/songs are taken as Truth, it can further damage their opportunities to exit difficult circumstances. It also reifies societal expectations about gang violence while real data tells a different story.

[Anusha Datar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work of ethnography explores the world of drill music in Chicago. Stuart mainly connects with and follows a particular group of boy (Corner Boys Entertainment). I appreciated his ability to be nonjudgemental in his writing without romanticizing or celebrating violence or poverty.

I went into this book knowing basically nothing about this topic except that I knew who Chief Keef was. I learned a lot about Chicago, youth culture, the ways that making money on the internet affects people/communities, drill music, and ethnography. The scope is pretty limited and I would have love to learn more about the community surrounding the individuals Stuart spends time with, but I understand that that was not his focus.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for a sociology class, pulls the reader into a world that is unfamiliar, and paints a portrait of young black men who are often characterized as “hyper-violent” as individuals with lives and families. Provides a compelling argument for the concept that black and white teens use and benefit from social media in very different ways.

[szymborskalyte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathtakingly good. This will go down as a classic.

[Jeremiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most incredible, heartbreaking, well thought-out and researched books that I've read this year. Incredible!

[WizardAnon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for school, but this was easily one of, if not the best, assigned reading I've ever had to do

[Liliana Sturman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked the unpretentious, but descriptive writing style and enjoyed learned about drill music and how it connects to broader topics in sociology

[Elsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great!! A very respectful account on all fronts; I learned a lot.

(Well-referenced and with good footnotes. Love me some good chunky footnotes.)

[Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobooked. The sociological description of a Chief Keef music video is hilarious.

[Corrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting, insightful, done in a thoughtful way

[Ji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fo Nem

[forest · Rating 4 out of 5]

ethnography on chicagoan drill rappers. great analysis. doesnt really cover the role of women in drill rap

[Piper Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book that unpacks the reality of the influence of music on youth in Chicago & the reality of violence in our city. If you want to understand the Southside of Chicago, read this book.