New Style Gangsters

New York City was the place of origin for organized crime in the United States in the early 1900s; now, Mob-like gangs can be found in major cities across the country. The early Mob's image was “high class,” wearing tailored double-breasted suits and exuding confidence. “New style gangsters” are now exemplified by young thugs wearing baggy pants, flashy designer labels, and expensive jewelry. The method of new style gangsters is shoot to kill, and rob and steal, to support their lifestyles; they seem to have no work ethic.

Gangsters of yesteryear participated in a variety of illegal activities to gain power and money; today, the new gangsters wreak havoc and kill innocent people for no apparent reason. Movies such as Scarface, with Al Pacino, and New Jack City have glamorized the image of the modern gangster, bringing organized crime to a heightened popularity.

The popularity of rap music, particularly “gangsta rap,” has given new style gangsters celebrity status. It is not uncommon for people such as slain rapper Tupac Shakur to be immortalized and glamorized for the hard lives they lived. The rap music world has made the idea [Page 329]of gangster life seem appealing, epitomized by song lyrics, designer clothes, jewelry, or “ice,” and expensive cars. Top fashion designers and marketers have taken advantage of the gangster lifestyle by promoting the products they create.