Back when the extreme sports movement started sweeping through action/singlist sports, music was, and wasn't a large part of the sports. Now music has become something that is fixed with action sports. This happened of cource because music envokes emotion and at times, feelings of strength. In short, music pumps us up. So music that pumps as up was the key,, and punk rock came with the extreme sports movement readily.. Then in the late 90's Ganster Rap got big, and emediately began to move into the extreme sports scene, almost replacing music in absence of punk rock..
With gangster rap invading the action sports scene, so then did the culture and style of gangster rap. I then must ask the question. What, in rap, can even remotely pump one up to ski/jib. The harsh beats of gangster rap, along with the almost uncanny trend of stolen lyrics/musical tones. Would more likely put one to sleep or give them a frightful headache than to inspire them to rip and get air.
However the fast hard hitting and excitable tones and rifs of punk rock, heavy metal, and hard rock, throw at least a small amount of adrenaline into the blood, priming the mind and body for extreme ativities.. Therefore I must lastly conclude that the popularity of gangster rap in extreme sports is apar to the influx of pop culture and a need for exceptance into the main stream of society, by a group that was once an independent social structure.
Lastly: Popularity is not always favorable. Neither is comercialization. Be carfull what you wish for, and who you let influence you.
***Frost***