“By 1980s, Hip Hop had become an influential culture throughout United States. Hip Hop artists became signs of the popular culture after releasing successful songs, appearing in several televisions and radio shows, and winning awards. The main artists in this period included Tupac Shakur, Ice Cube, Tung Twista, Quincy Jones, Ice-T, and Snoop Dogg,” (Persaud, 631). “During this period, Hip Hop experienced censorship after realize of a song that was seen by the FBI to causes violence and disrespect the police,” (Gordon, 369). Many Hip Hop musicians releasing songs during this period faced numerous lawsuits because some institutions thought the songs were controversial. Recording companies started to be strict with the lyrics included in the songs. Realizing a song in the first half of 1990s was very challenging due to censorship. The 2000s marked the fourth decade of Hip Hop. Hip Hop music…
A few years after World War 2, the music genre Rock N’ Roll was created. It originated from Rhythm and Blues and Country. In the early 1950’s there was three musicians that joined the world of Rock N’ Roll. Their names were Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley. They each had their own style of Rock N’ Roll. But some individuals couldn’t decide who the true king of Rock N’ Roll was. In my opinion, Elvis Presley was the true king of Rock N’ Roll because, of his crazy dance moves, how he broke the social barrier between the black folk and the white folk, and today’s generation knows who Elvis Presley was.…
The premise of this work is that rock 'n' roll matters, and that it means what it says. It seems that rock 'n' roll music has seldom been given its due as an art form, that it is somehow relegated to a category of less "mature" or "serious" artistic pursuits by the media and the intellectual community. Some critics use the generic term "Pop" to refer to any popular music, including all contemporary rock musicians, as if the fact of rock 'n' roll's immense commercial success implies that it cannot really be taken seriously alongside, say, classical music, or even Jazz. Beyond artistic circles, rock 'n' roll is usually given even less credibility; the ideas and feelings and beliefs expressed and reflected in rock songs tend to be dismissed by…
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…
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…
Documenting photographs of Afrobeats music scene has come a long way in the last 20years. As a photo journalist I’ve had the pleasure of shooting various Afrobeats artists performing in tiny underground venues with poor lighting to performing in a sold out grand venue such as the famous Hammersmith Apollo, O2 other renowned arenas across the world.…
Hip-hop can destroy other citizens. For instance, violence in some songs cause the youth to starts fights and also kill themselves. On the other hand, gangs and street thugs are a few examples. However, teenagers are starting to kills, steals, vandalize. Therefore, hip-hop culture and movement has an negative impact on contemporary African American identities based on how they represent themselves. This is due to the fact it promotes an unhealthy lifestyle towards attitudes and behaviors of American Youth. In addition, it teaches African American youth to use profanity. Furthermore, American youth do not have a role model when listening to hip-hop.…
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.…
They use to label it as conscious rap.However that was tossed to the side while these homophobic and sexist lyrics were now put into place. It is what our kids hear and see on a daily basis. As a result along with, these new found gangster rappers. It has brought about a more violent lifestyle. They are now teaching about guns, sex, money, murder and a drug dealer’s life. Meanwhile, it is now introduced in today’s social and networking database. Yet, many people generally have a major dislike for rap due to the fact that its newfound ways are allowing a lot of individuals to choose a more or less horrendous way of living. Its homophobic and sexist ways are just some of many reasons why people therefore tend to forget about what rap was once based on or what it stands for in all aspects. In the old days, Rap meant unity and the fight against injustice. It was a way to educate the public. Two major rappers that come to mind are Slick Rick and Queen Latifah. They are great examples of the good old days. Where the was a voice that lured other to be compassionate, caring and loyal with a loving mind…
Hip-Hop lyrics describe extremely violent acts that include guns, beatings, and murder. The songs seem to be condoning this behavior and are mostly performed by African American males. By seeing a black man singing lyrics such as, “I’m just waiting for a fool/ so I can use his blood for my backyard pool” (The Terrorists f/ Point Blank, “Dead Bodies” 1991) or “Crack that jaw, what’s more bring it/ Ill rip your fuckin’ arm out the socket if you swing it” (Apache “A Fight” 1992), endorses the idea that African Americans are prone to violence and killing.…
I listen to music every day of my life. From the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep. My current mood determines what type of music I listen to. For example, in the morning, I like to start my day off with something slow and calm. This usually jazz music with its soft and mellow tones. Then later in the day, I prefer to listen to rap music. It really helps me get excited. This helps me when I am in the gym, especially the sound of the loud bass and tones. I tend to calm down after a long day of activities. I sooth my mood with slow, mellow, and calm music. This really helps my body and mind relax after a long day of work. In conclusion, Jazz, Rap, and R&B are very powerful different types of music, each having its own different style and background.…
Hip Hop has gotten too hard core, it’s only about misogynist and materialism. Back in the day rappers had more to talk about than guns, money, jewels, cars and women. In today’s Hip Hop, it glorifies the ghetto, gangs, guns, money and jewelry which reinforces the tradition of the black stereotypes. Gangster rap is described as the angriest type of rap music where it glamorizes sex and violence. N.W.A was one of the most controversial rap groups in the world of hip hop who are known as the creators of “gansta rap”. The group was an influential force in the Hip-Hop culture because of their harsh music which questioned the government and the police. In all Hip-Hop music video you will always see a female flaunting her assets. These women are often called…
Music Lyrics being NON-VIOLENT Rap music can be considered a style of art, and a way for the artists to express feelings through their words on paper. However, there are quite a few rap artists that get criticized for their lyrics. In my essay, I want to discuss why rappers use certain lyrics in their music and why people shouldn’t believe that it causes violence among the younger generations. People shouldn’t censor the music just because of violent, vulgar and abusive messages it promotes to the world. I believe in my own mind, that there is a reason for these types of lyrics that rap artists use and I will simply explain those reasons in this essay. Rap has been called one of the most important music forces to emerge in two decades. It’s pounding beats and staccato rhymes exploded on the streets of the urban America in the early 1980s and since have become the theme music and lyrical heart of the vibrant youth culture called hip-hop ( SIRS 1993). There are many different types of rap artist. There are some that talk about money, some talk about righteousness, and the list goes on and on. Every rap artist had their own way of expressing themselves. There are those that talk about sex, drugs, and violence who receive the negative attention( SIRS 1993). People, think this so- called gangster rap is a bad influence on children in the world and that it promotes violence and that it also is abusive to women. Delores Tucker, head of national congress of black women has been among those pressuring different record companies to stop distributing gangster rap music. There were other significant names that participated in this action. Names like Senate Majority leader Bob dole, and former education Secretary William J. Bennett(Surveys, pg. 1). There are some rap artists that have been openly criticized for their lyrics. Rappers like Lil Kim, Too Short, Snoop Doggy Dogg, and a member from “Too Live Crew,” named Luke Skywalker. These rap artists in the past have been…
All of the violent lyrics in rap songs could have stemmed from the effects of the crack era. During that time a lot of gang activity arose therefore whoever was the” hardest” or had more power was looked at as more masculine. Gangsta rap also influenced hardcore lyrics to the extent that majority of today’s rap lyrics contain talk about guns, pimping, violence and homophobia.…
In the following essay I will be applying Arjun Appadurai’s theory of global cultural flows and social imagination to the two African hip hop case studies written by Kunzler and Badsha. I will be analysing the case studies with regard to Appadurai and his theories.…