I don't understand why people have a problem with playing an inner-city thug. I mean the last two GTA "heroes" were friggin thugs, so whats the difference?

Besides, I give Rockstar Games for trying something new instead of being way too formulaic that has occured to some hit videogame series. Besides, from what I've read and understood, there will be references/homages to such gangster movies we dig like CARLITTO'S WAY, CASINO, GOODFELLAS(especially in a mission where you have to sneak into someone's house and snipe the snitch or whatever without waking up the neighbors)...

But also it will cover the "black gangster" films that were so dominant in the late 80's/early 90's like DO THE RIGHT THING(not really gangster, but often associated with the genre for some reason.), MENACE II SOCIETY, FRIDAY(a comedy but again placed with this group. Beats me as well), and of course the Oscar-nominated BOYZ N THE HOOD.