Ice Cube once rapped "gangsta rap made me do it" to satirically point a finger at the hypocrisy of the United States government. It's about time we get a remix of his classic track, because the DEA is once against blaming hip-hop culture. Instead of gangsta rap, emo rap is under fire this time. Emo rap is a relatively new sub-genre, although one could argue that artists like DMX or Lauryn Hill were rapping about inner turmoil almost two decades ago. None the less, the new wave of emo rap is filled with auto-tune cries, introspective musings, and drug use. Drowning sorrows in drugs is not an action exclusive to hip-hop culture. In fact, masking the pain isn't an action exclusive to any one culture across the world. Still, hip-hop is being blamed.
A Justice Department press release covering the death of Diana Haikova in New York goes on to claim that the drug culture in emo rap led to her death. Soundcloud rapper New Jerzey Devil (not to be mistaken with Nu Jerzey Devil) was arrested and charged with selling heroin and fentanyl to Haikova. TMZ erroneously reported that New Jerzey Devil was a part of Lil Peep's Goth Boi Clique, which further pushed the "emo rap made me do it" narrative in connection to the drug culture. Their incorrect report also helped fuel the DEA's bias against hip-hop.
DEA Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt stated in connection with the case, “This investigation led us into the underbelly of emo rap and its glorification of opioid use... The DEA extends condolences to the victim’s family and reemphasizes our commitment to bringing drug dealers to justice to face the consequences of their crimes.”
