GREENSBORO, N.C.— While leaders at North Carolina A&T State University consider a replacement for a controversial rapper with gang ties, his possible appearance at the homecoming concert has sparked debate among students at the historically Black college.
The News and Record of Greensboro reports that the discussion centers on rapper Gucci Mane— his real name is Radric Davis — and an appearance scheduled for Oct. 31 at North Carolina A&T’s homecoming concert.
Debate began shortly after students returned to school last month. They objected to Mane, who celebrates his ties to the Bloods street gang on songs like “Blood in Blood Out” and “Same Red Rag.”
Chancellor Harold Martin said the school does not want to censor any artist, but gang activity and drug dealing are not the things that should be showcased when welcoming alumni and celebrating the university.
A Web search lists Mane as CEO of So Icey Entertainment. No one at the company could be reached for comment.
Bryon Turman is an A&T alumnus who now teaches courses on hip-hop at both A&T and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He said money, drugs and violence have been prevalent themes in rap since its earliest days.
But with albums that celebrate crack dealing and gang life, Turman said Gucci Mane represents a type of “dope rap” that forgets why those things were discussed in early hip-hop.
