The objective of this activity is to engage with examples of criminological theories found in popular culture. This activity will assess your understanding of criminological theories, covered in the
sociological explanations unit, such as labeling theory, differential association theory, and strain theory.
You will be given lyrical excerpts from four rap songs from songs by popular rappers that you may be familiar with: Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, and 2Pac. The focus of this activity is to
have you better identify, dispute, and utilize criminological theory and to better understand and discuss criminological theory
The goal and instructions for this assignment is provided in the link below. Be sure to have read chapters 6 an 7 prior to starting the assignment.
Exploring Criminological Theories Through Rap Music.docx
Please be advised that explicit lyrics are used in this songs
Below are the youtube links for the songs used in this assignment. Listening to the songs is optional. The assignment aims more at analyzing specific lyrics that are
located on the assignment worksheet.
We Don’t Care – Kanye West
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WezusURMbY
The Art of Peer Pressure – Kendrick Lamar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rxIRn nubo
99 Problems – Jay-Z

Violent – 2Pac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QvK1oLmR60