This game closed a studio, killed a franchise, and is frozen in time from last generation. Def Jam Icon is one of the most polarizing games that I personally love. Normally, for my Black Characters in Gaming post I focus on one character but this game utilizes a blank protagonist and famous rappers so I am going to just focus on the game itself.
What is Def Jam Icon?
EA had a series of fighting games where rappers would beat the hell out of each other….for glory and justice? I don’t know but I did enjoy the earlier Def Jam games. They would take wrestling game engines and paste rappers over them but the theme and worlds they built were really inspired. Def Jam ICON was a change in that formula. This game came out in 2007 and developed it’s own fighting style. This was a one on one fighting game with a focus on environmental attacks and grapples. The game was all about style, and utilizing the music to actually become a part of the fight. For example, when you throw a character you can press the left trigger on the controller to use your thumbsticks as a turntable. When you “scratched” appropriately you would cause the music to change and the environment to literally explode. It’s hard to explain but the feeling is extremely visceral.
Def Jam Icon had a very high learning curve due to the complexity of the fighting system, which was much harder to grasp than earlier games. Frankly, there was nothing like it at the time and people in games hate change. There were health bars or super meters. You had to look at the fighters to see how hurt they were to know you were winning or losing. If your character was close to death the screen would become more sepia-toned and the colors washed out and richer.
This game has aged incredibly well due to the art style and colors. The 3D models are OK, but the environments are gorgeous. There is almost a cel-shaded feel to the colors and style but all of it is realistic enough. Another great thing this game did was focus on the music. The soundtrack is awesome. It was in 2007/2008. It has Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Ludacris, T.I., and more. The game is very much a product of it’s time but the music is the true star of the game and that is a huge accomplishment. THE MUSIC IS NOT EDITED. So many games put rap music in them and then edit the hell of it, it’s annoying.
Is Def Jam Icon a problematic representation of black characters in gaming?
This is a difficult question is answer. Is this game art imitating life (the rap game in the mid 2000s?) or does this game hyperbolize and just reinforce negative images of the rap community. I think a little bit of both. There are moments that are frustrating in this game. When you are creating a character in the single player, they ask you to create your “suspect”. You are already pegged as a criminal. Your path to the top in the single player game is through violence. That said, it’s a fighting video game and they needed a story. The game really looks at what it means to get into a fight in the club. That is a common theme. The idea that somebody “scuffed your pumas” as Chris Rock would say leads to real brawls that literally tear da club up (Three Six reference! see im cool!).
On some level this is basically “World Star Hip Hop the game”. The game also deals with positive qualities in the black community. Loyalty and family is extremely important. The focus on how music defines and shapes our culture is a positive and accurate representation as well. The game is so creative, and one thing black people are on the forefront of are style and creativity.
Stereotype: Black Men as Thugs
This is one of the most problematic stereotypes this game perpetuates. During a time when the black man is being brutalized by the police in a very real way, perpetuating this myth is a problem. In a medium where black men have limited representation (and basically none outside of the fighting genre and sports), there aren’t enough positive images of black people to off set the negative ones. Every successful black person in Def Jam Icon is implied to have gotten there through unsavory means. That’s unfair to the people in the game and the people in our communities. If this game is the only black people somebody sees, I can understand the fear.
Stereotype: Black Men as Violent
Same issues as above. Black men are no more violent than anybody else. Take a look at this infographic
Stereotype: Rags to Riches myths, “coming up from the ‘hood”
Thia game has a basic rags to riches narrative that reinforces the American Dream myth. This time the rap industry is the proverbial boot strap being pulled up.Violence, deception, and doing anything to get to top are the messages sent here. The reality is only a small percentage of people will ever become famous musicians or even be able to make a living off it. It’d be cool to see somebody go to college or mention education. Even having a part time job would have been a good look. Class mobility is the biggest myth in America. Anytime a narrative perpetuates the myth that hard work and dedication guarantee a way out, I am displeased with it.
Positive impact this game may have: This game has a lot of black business owners. They show the community working together in some places. The men date black women or have the option to. Tons of different hair styles and body types. Black style is not look down upon but it’s being highlighted in this game. You command respect in a business suit as much as you do in a pair of jeans and a hoodie. The game humanizes a lot of black people. The main character in single player goes through a range of emotions, and the rappers themselves area dealing with strife and heart break. It’s cool to see that side of things.
How it feels playing this game as black man?
It’s empowering and fun. You fight in the stage of 106 & PARK! That mattered 8 years ago. It was cool creating a character and having the option really make me feel like I can be me. It was also kind of tough. It’s a little voyeuristic, the game is like almost hyper-black to the point of parody. But it’s fun.
How I imagine it feels playing this game as a white person?
How the fuck would I know. That said, I wonder what a white person thinks about the black community after playing this game for hours. Is it a cool look into a culture they listen to on the radio? is it the proof they need that all these guys are just violent thugs? or is it just another game somebody plays and tosses aside?
What does it all mean?
I am just sad this series ended. I feel like they were on to something here with the fighting mechanics and the integration of music into the combat. Why didn’t people buy this game? Was it just the controls? It’s a beautiful game that only feels dated because it was so current when it came out. It’s a compelling look into the black community and rap scene from the early 2000’s. It’s a look from one studio’s perspective, I would love more games to delve into a community like this. I am glad this exist. Peace
J3Blackgamer 
fuck that
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