Music is one of the most prominent forms of communication. It is used in every situation to set a tone, alter moods, change attitudes, and affect behavior. The right song can make or break the scene in a movie or set a romantic mood at a restaurant. Music is one of the most expressionistic forms of media known to society. As a result, music influences every aspect of society with each generation forming a radically different opinion. The media, parents, and cynics want to blame music for violence in today's society, when in actuality they should look to themselves for the answer.
As a result of recent events music has been criticized for corrupting the minds of today's youth. Rap is blamed for crimes and murders in metropolitan areas across the United Sates. Alternative Rock is blamed for containing satanic messages that drive the undercurrent of suicides and occult followings. The genre known as "Pop" is criticized for the breakout of sexual awakenings at younger ages. Despite the genre of music, the media will find a way to blame music for the problems with today's younger society.
Specifically, Rap artists are continually blamed for crimes. In 1988, rapper Ice-T interred media scrutiny as a result of a song entitled
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Top forty or "Pop" music is seen by most as clean cut fun, but the media has found a way to criticize this seemingly innocent genre of music. The young men who committed the horrific acts of Columbine were fans of Manson, and regularly listened to his music. If the media would stop and listen to the youth of today, they would know that simple fact. Critics suggest her lyrics, such as "Oops, I did it again I'm not that innocent" send the message that being wild is okay. With lyrics like "Day, is here fading my time, has gone away, I flirt with suicide Sometimes kill the pain" is not hard to see why they are blamed for this action. The parents adore them, and no one can find anything wrong until they make a fatal