HOUSTON Viral videos of toddlers cursing and teenagers fighting are being billed as examples of the cycle of violence and thuggery being taught by rap music.
Some people are even saying that the word thug has become racially charged, and local rapper Slim Thug is now part of the debate.
I m sure that the reason I don t get no day from the mayor is because my name is Slim Thug, said Slim Thug.
That statement made by Slim Thug on CNN had fans of the 97.9 The Box s Mad Hatta Morning Show pushing to have a day named after him.
You know just show appreciation for somebody who s constantly showing appreciation for their neighborhood from where they came from, said 97.9 The Box radio personality J Mac.
Slim Thug got his name when he was a skinny teenager getting in trouble, and it stuck. Since then he s become one of the industry s most successful artists, but has found himself defending his name.
It s more of a description than me trying to rob someone or do some harm someone you know, said Slim Thug.
Some of his music includes rough and violent language, but outside of the studio he is very involved in volunteerism and helping with community projects.
Bun B, a successful Houston hip hop artist himself and university lecturer, said rappers and their music are sometimes just misunderstood.
A lot of us in the hip hop community aren t in a position to market ourselves to people outside of people who normally know us, said Bun B. That takes a lot of extra time. A lot of money and it doesn t necessarily come back through record sales or whatever.
DJ s at 97.9 The Box said a Slim Thug Day would inspire others.
And let them know and spread the word about to become an entrepreneur or get out the hood or get away from a thug life or whatever, said Slim Thug.
The city of Houston has given a thumbs up for a Slim Thug Day, but the date has not been announced.
