I hate to break it to conservatives, but the pimp culture was seen for a long time as a legitimate way to earn major money and get your ass out of the ghetto. It featured prominently in the burgeoning days of rap, and over time has come to take on a whole new meaning.
Specifically, a male kid living on the streets, homeless, no support, usually has two possible ways to make some money - dealing drugs [or working as a mule for a dealer] or selling his body. Being a pimp would be a significant step up.