Joe Guzman CMRJ205 Rape and Sexual Violence
Dr. Nation
Does Hip-Hop music send a negative message to our youth? Well some people think it does and others think differently about it. I think it goes both ways and but I’ll go more in detail in this essay.
As far as I can remember, Hip-Hop music has ruled the industry and continues to till this day. The negative part of rap music that people say sends a negative message is the lyrics. Some songs talk about killing, drugs and gang violence. That’s the part I don’t care for but it sells so, it’ll continue to remain on top. Some music was blamed for shootings and some resulted in death. When it comes to violence, the Tupac and Biggy scandal comes to mind. This was labeled as an East and West coast war between the two. They both talked about killing each others families, having sex with each others wives, which lead to both of them being murdered (Dorian 2010). Tupac had some great songs that hit home for some people. One that hit home for was “Dear Mama”, it talked about him growing up and how his mother made the best for him and his sister with what they had. I love when rappers speak from experience and in ways can influences people positively. A rapper by the name of “Hurricane”, tells his four kids that what they see and hear is just a record or video that was produced (Samuels 1995). I think it’s good for rappers to explain this issue with their kids. It’ll give them a better understanding as they get older. Some of the negatives are when rappers get into trouble for drugs, murders and violations. Some kids look up to them as role models and when they see the trouble they get into they do the same or even worse. A lot of rappers stress to kids to stay in school and get an education. (Samuels 1995). Sometimes music is a way out for some people. A lot of rappers grew up in the hood and were in and out of trouble but used music as strength to get out. I think the media portrays it differently and blows rap music out of proportion, as they do everything. The media is quick to put out the negative things but what about the positive things that they do. Some rappers give back and help out in any way they can. I just read about rapper T.I. talking some kid out of committing suicide. That’s definitely a highlight but I bet not too many people heard about it.
In closing, I think rap music goes both ways as far as sending negative messages to our youth. Do I think it can be cleaned up, yes but people need to understand that this is a way of living for some. It’ll be an on going battle but in the end Hip-Hop is here to stay and is on top.
References
Louise I. Gerdes, ED (2008) Sexual violence., GALE Cengage Learning
John H. McWhorter, (2003) City Journal
Is Hip Hop The epitome of What’s Wrong with Todays Youth (2010) from, http://doriandonp.wordpress.com/2010/02/11/is-hip-hop-the-epitome-of-whats-wrong-with-todays-youth/
Boyce Watkins, PhD (2009) from, http://www.bvonmoney.com/2009/06/07/whats-wrong-with-hip-hop-check-the-paper-trai
Anita M. Samuels, (1995) Rap Family Values: Golden Rule Rules
References: Louise I. Gerdes, ED (2008) Sexual violence., GALE Cengage Learning John H. McWhorter, (2003) City Journal Is Hip Hop The epitome of What’s Wrong with Todays Youth (2010) from, http://doriandonp.wordpress.com/2010/02/11/is-hip-hop-the-epitome-of-whats-wrong-with-todays-youth/ Boyce Watkins, PhD (2009) from, http://www.bvonmoney.com/2009/06/07/whats-wrong-with-hip-hop-check-the-paper-trai Anita M. Samuels, (1995) Rap Family Values: Golden Rule Rules
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Some of the most famous rappers have songs named, “F**k The Police”, “Crooked A** N***a”, and “Cop Killer.” (“Negative Influences Gangster Rap What Can Be Done About It”). These songs, like so many others, also talk about murder and disrespect of women. Lives have been lost and people have suffered, yet the gangster rap industry is still flourishing. Society has noticed the negative influence this music has had, yet they still continue to make it succeed through a number of record sales. Even though there is no way to solve this problem it’s still a benefit that parents do not let their children listen to the music and have them grow up hearing these types of…
- 865 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Hip-hop has been the voice of the African Americans for many generations. Therefore, It was African Americans voice back then. it helps African Americans express their struggles and problems . Today hip-hop is all about sex,money and drugs. In addition This has made the generation today brutal. Furthermore Hip-hop is no longer the voice to help the struggles, but the key to problems. Because of hip-hop music today teens education is at state because of how artists make the streets seem like a fine place.…
- 334 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Culturally, hip-hop has affected how people behave, think, and what is important to African Americans. Since it emerged and became popular hip-hop has affected African-Americans in a negative way. In the majority of hip-hop songs there is the presence of violence, sex, drugs, misogyny, and money. These characteristics are violent and may lead to it being acceptable in African…
- 421 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
In this magazine, the author explains the negative effects hip-hop has on the society and states his bias with strong argument. More kids are taking the…
- 705 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Although some people believe hip hop has a positive influence on young people not ALL hip hop is positive. “Rappers” like Young Thug has literally no purpose. He’s just rapping to be famous and take advantage of girls. People like him make a bad name for hip hop. Most listens to his songs just for the hype. “Prior research has linked levels of exposure to rap music with a range of undesirable health behavior” (Ethnic Identity,Self-Esteem, and Variability in Perceptions of Raps). Hip hop has been found linked to the cause of disrespectful behaviors in this…
- 748 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
To sum it up, in this world today hip hop has created and negativity impact on African Americans youth. Some people might not think that. On the research that I have provided you. The media has more positive thing on hip hop then it do on positive things. Hip hop has negativity impact contemporary African Americans identities based on how they represent…
- 491 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
To start at the roots of hip hop however you can clearly see that the message of the music was not to promote violence, but to help curb crime and show that it’s not glamorous. During the 1980’s you had artists like Grand Master Flash, and Public Enemy who preached black empowerment, and left imparting lessons that didn’t hinder but allow black culture to grow, as well as morale. This leads people to pondering nowadays, what happened to this once positive, intelligent music that defined a race and culture? You have 12 year old children listening to vulgar raps about sex, and prostitution, and for black kids in poor ghetto neighborhoods this fantasy driven music glamorizing crime, is seen as the sole “voice” for these children ultimately view that lifestyle as the true way they should be acting. It is as if hip hop music is still attempting to sell this image of the crime life, even when most of the artists have all the money in the world. Hip hop basically reversed the accomplishments of the black community, disguising itself as pertaining a…
- 1331 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
In the 1980s, we saw many different genres of music emerge, genres such as Pop, Rock, and R&B. But a new genre emerged that sparked a lot of controversy: “Gangsta Rap” otherwise known as Hip Hop. Rappers/Rap groups such as NWA, Run DMC, Big Daddy Kane, and more changed the industry with catchy tunes and lyrics that talked about hard topics like slavery, violence, and police brutality. These lyrics sometimes caused major conflict, whether between races or with civilians and police. Hip Hop was very controversial in the 80s. “Gangsta rap” has caused a lot of controversy, many people protested this music in the late 80s and 90s due to the message within its lyrics and what those lyrics conveyed. Many accused “Gangsta Rap” for promoting things such as crime, killings, profanity, drugs, sex, racism, and more. But Gangsta rap doesn’t influence this type of lifestyle; it’s telling a story/conveying a message of the individuals who wrote the lyrics.…
- 1513 Words
- 7 Pages
Better Essays -
Media often paints a different picture than as seen by the eye. Often heard on the headlines are the bad and the ugly never the good. One picture that is often skewed by the media is that of hip hop. It is often heard that this genre is a negative influence on children, as the message put out by these rappers is not appropriate for today’s youth. The lifestyle is too violent and the lyrics are too harsh. All this is skewed in the wrong direction. As the hip hop genre is impactful and helpful for the youth of the world.…
- 1178 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Untie the blindfold, and open your eyes and see the true meaning of hip hop. In my eyes hiphop has a meaningful message. If you really pick through the lyrics you can realize hip hop is simply a cry for help. Hip Hop is a good message for kids, its deep, and very powerful.…
- 412 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
I don't believe that most of the young teens look up to these rappers, which bring me to the most important topic rappers as role models. Today in society it seems that one can tell a person's taste in music by the way that person dresses or acts. Every time I see a person with baggy pants, diamond jewelry, with cap on or huge t-shirts, I think that this person is really influenced by rap music. We see people express themselves the way artist' or rappers are expressing themselves. Some kids, who like rap music talk like rappers, dress like rappers, almost does everything like rappers. In article "Rap music promotes violence," Cuthbertson says, "In the 1970s and 80s, Ice- T was responsible for a slew of armed robberies at jewelry stores in California. He was also an entrepreneur of pharmaceutical sales. He was a drug dealer." Rappers like Ice-T set an example for our children to go and steel and sell drugs. I don't understand why rappers can't rap about how to get success in life, how to achieve goals and encourage kids to stay in school instead of dropping out of school. I think teens should listen to Will Smith's songs; his songs are mostly about love, progress and encouragement. He has shown himself to be one of the few true role models for the youth that buy rap…
- 1363 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
With over a billion songs in existence today, it is hard to imagine that anyone has never heard a song before and for most people inspired by at least one of them. There is a big controversy stating that rap music has, and is still influencing our younger generation and to certain amplitude I agree. The jails across America are being filled to capacity over violent confrontations in our streets. Many killings are occurring after bar and nightclub shootings from local gang members using drugs and playing rap music. Some of the music being listened to is introducing children to drugs sex and jail could this be all bad? Surly not! Studying the lyrics to some of your most hated rap songs my just provide you with some of the problems our society faces and the solutions that will help us surmount…
- 341 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
History Hip hop began in the 1970s. The art form, which originated in New York, provided Black and Latino youth with an outlet to express themselves, often speaking out about the poor conditions that exist within their communities. The development of the hip-hop culture created a movement that influenced the way we dress, speak and socialize. The emergence of "gangsta rap" in the 1980s marked the beginning of some disintegration of the positive images in hip-hop culture Popular rap, as it is today, formed in the 1980s, and has since influenced everything from folk music to heavy metal. It has ties leading back to Africa and Jamaica, where there was an emphasis on lyrical content and drumbeats. Glorifying Violence Gangsta rap is a hip-hop genre that focuses primarily on the negative aspects of inner city life. The lyrics often glorify criminal activity and degrade women. This genre of hip-hop has been a source of tremendous controversy and is often cited as the cause of the increase in violence. This is particularly true amongst black youth. According to federal statistics cited by the "Charlottesville Daily Progress," homicide is the leading cause of death for black men between the ages of 15 and 34. Many gangsta hip-hop artists justify their music by claiming they are only retelling the experiences of their lives on the streets. However, close analysis of the song lyrics often reveals a plethora of curse words and no substance. According to commentators such as those found on Urban Dictionary.com, many artists have been forced to create artificial 'gangsta' images for the sake of a lucrative career. Many young people idolize these artists and imitate their behavior. Trends in using gunshots as rhythmical beats, graphic lyrical content depicting violent scenes and glorifying gang life and records of popular rap stars serving prison sentences make the notion that rap music spreads violence in society a plausible scenario.…
- 823 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Hip-hop is a new type of music that has been gradually increasing in popularity in the past three decades And like other music it can be very influential, and hip-hop has been anything but short on that. From sculpting the way modern day youth speak and introducing words that are used in everyday talk nowadays to how the youth may even dress or act. But are these influences on our youth positive or negative? There are critics that argue that people who listen to hip-hop are just juvenile teenagers, while others counter that hiphop’s pedestal is structured by its listeners, that is the youth and is a fantastic and unique way for our culture to evolve.…
- 733 Words
- 3 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Most people ignore the good and disregard Rap music as a whole. As expressed in this paper, yes it can have negative effects and influence children to do bad things but it can also influence them in a good way and even give them certain tools to use in the future.…
- 1075 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays