Why does being a bigger criminal equate to more record sales? (sell, job)

[70Ford]

Why do you think Akon, a famous rap singer, spouts a fictitious story about his life of crime? It appears that you need a lot of "street cred" to sell records - a lot more than it appears he has.

But why? Why is violence glorified to sell music? Are we men? How does saying, "Look how dangerous I am!" and "I was in prison, YEAH!" mean anything?

How does being a bigger criminal equate to more record sales?

I think I'm getting old. I think if I were younger I would "get it."

I don't get it. Someone help me out here.

Akon's Con Job - April 16, 2008

[metropolistraffic]

The deeper their songs are.
The more the "ghetto" kids can relate.

.. I don't know.

Personally, I think it's just a coincidence.

[Rose Red]

James Frey sold a lot of books based on a lie. Who knows? Maybe people like a good rags to riches story.

[Oildog]

So white kids in the suburbs can **** of their parents by cranking the cars up with lyrics laced with profanity and misoginistic talk. Thats who buys it...

[CosmicWizard]

Lying works for politicians too. It seems like the better they are at lying, the easier it is to get elected. We Americans apparently like being lied to. It's part of the American psyche and the rappers are well aware of it.