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Gangsta Music: 5 key points to consider before releasing
Talking about crime in music is nothing new, nor is it exclusive to any particular genre. The topic appears in different narratives, contexts, and artistic approaches. However, when it comes time to release and promote a work that addresses crime, violence, or potentially sensitive situations, there are certain precautions that artists and their teams need to consider in order to avoid potential problems.
Some of the consequences of failing to follow these guidelines can affect not only the song itself, but the release as a whole:
Misinterpretation of the work
Even when a song has a specific artistic or narrative purpose, a caption, thumbnail, or isolated clip can make the communication appear different from the original intent. This is especially important because some platforms assess context, while others have specific restrictions regarding violence or dangerous content.
Content removal
Platforms may remove videos, posts, or other content that violates their policies. YouTube, for example, prohibits content that encourages violent acts.
Account restrictions or suspension
More serious or repeated violations can result in action being taken against the account itself, rather than just an individual post or piece of content.
Financial losses
You may have planned and paid for a campaign, produced creative assets, and set aside a budget, only to discover afterward that the material cannot be used on a particular platform.
Demonetization
Depending on the platform and the content, the artist may lose monetization opportunities.
Legal issues related to promotion
This is a point that deserves a lot of attention! Songs about crime are a form of artistic expression, but committing a criminal act to promote a song is not the ideal approach and the cost can be far too high.
With extensive experience in Music Business and knowing how useful this topic can be for you, I have put together 5 crucial points to consider before releasing a song centered around crime as a theme, helping you avoid potential complications.
1. Pay attention to the communication used in the release
One of the key differences between the song itself and the way the song is promoted lies here. A track may present a complex narrative, but a caption, video title, or promotional message can take that narrative out of context.
One example is the case of brazilian rapper Oruam, who, in 2025, generated significant controversy after apparently attempting to stage a detention as a way to promote the release of his album. We will discuss this case in more detail in Section 5. Don't think only about how to promote the song. Think about what the promotion is saying about the song.
For this reason, make sure to review captions, social media copy, video titles, promotional texts, teasers, descriptions, and advertising campaigns.
2. Pay extra attention to images and videos
Visual context is also part of the communication, as images and videos can reinforce or change the way a work is interpreted.
This deserves particular attention when elements such as weapons, drugs, violence, money, criminal organizations, or situations that could be interpreted as encouraging or glorifying criminal activity appear in the content. This does not mean that these elements cannot appear in an artistic work. Rather, it is important to evaluate how they are being used and what role they play within the narrative, including in the artwork for a single or album.
If any of the elements mentioned above appear, it may be necessary to submit a different, permitted image, resulting in additional work and potentially delaying the release.
3. Protect your YouTube channel
We know how important music videos are as visual representations of songs and how valuable they can be in extending the lifespan of a release.
Know the platform's guidelines so you don't violate its policies and consequently create problems for your artist channel. To do so:
If your YouTube music video and thumbnail show explicit consumption of alcoholic beverages or drugs, disclose that the video contains substances and select the appropriate sensitive-content option;
Under no circumstances should minors be shown throughout the video or should excessive focus be placed on children's faces;
If airsoft guns are used, disclose their use at the beginning or end of the video.
These adjustments can help prevent content removal, channel termination, or strikes against your channel. I strongly recommend following these guidelines!
4. Check the platforms' rules
Social media platforms, video platforms, music distribution services, and advertising platforms all have their own policies regarding violence, criminal activity, and other sensitive topics.
Therefore, before investing money in a campaign, it is important to check the current policies of the platform you intend to use. A song may be available on a streaming platform and, at the same time, a specific creative asset used in an advertising campaign may face restrictions.
Distributing a song and advertising it are two different stages of a release.
5. Consider potential legal issues
Depending on the work, there may be issues involving image rights, reputation, personal honor, the use of names, real-life events, identifiable individuals, or allegations directed at third parties.
For example, a song that tells a fictional story is very different from a work that attributes a specific crime to a real and identifiable person. For this reason, when a song involves real situations, specific individuals, or allegations, it may be important to seek individualized legal advice before the release.
In Section 1, I briefly mentioned the case of brazilian rapper Oruam, who, in 2025, intentionally performed a maneuver with his car at the location where a police operation was taking place (you can find the full story here) and was subsequently detained.
After being released, he promoted the release of his album. It is important to point out that I have no confirmation of this, but it appeared to be a promotional strategy. This is a great example of why creating a song that addresses sensitive topics, such as criminal activity, is one thing. Engaging in criminal conduct to attract attention is another.
The role of marketing is not to replace legal counsel, but rather to recognize when a situation goes beyond communication strategy and requires specialized analysis.
To make sure you receive the right guidance, visit the SERVICES section here and get in touch!
Artistic Freedom requires Strategy
My goal here is not to censor an artist's work, but rather to understand it and find the best way to bring it into the world. The more complex the narrative, the greater the need for care when developing its communication strategy.
Artistic freedom and responsible communication go hand in hand and are essential to building a long-lasting and successful career, not only for the artist, but also for the professionals working behind the scenes.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional advice. Specific matters should be evaluated based on the particular circumstances of each case. Get unique strategies, valuable guidance, and specialized support directly from me! Get in touch using the button below:
About Isabelle Pessanha
I am a member of the Recording Academy, a music industry specialist with 10 years of experience working in the market as a link between artists, Legal, A&R, and Marketing.
I also work as a consultant and mentor for artists and music industry professionals, contributing to the professionalization and sustainability of careers within the industry.
I work in Label Operations, a role that involves overseeing all stages of a music release and label management, including Project Management, metadata organization, Music Publishing, Digital Distribution, and Marketing.
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