Preview

rap's influence on society

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
866 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
rap's influence on society
Michele Qualls Qualls 1

Steve Sosnoski

ENG 102

28 August 2013

Rap music and the influence it has on society
I have decided to research about rap music and what it has become in our society today. Violence has always been an issue, but with rap music being the most popular among teens its important what kind of messages these artist are sending. With that being said it has changed since its origination. Early rap music created a new culture for people of the the inner cities to follow, it gave people a chance to express themselves in a new way. It even turned gang members away from gang related activities. This topic will not only surround the changes of rap music but will include the effects it has on society today.
This topic is worth researching because music plays an important role in the lives of teens. Many teens are fatherless and look to artist as their role model. Moreover, Some are startled by the elicit words and the message that rap music sends. Rap music was not always about money, gang, sex, and drugs. Rap music changed people, it drew many gang members away from that lifestyle. Now it seems as if rap is influencing and encouraging this lifestyle. When rap first began individuals rhymed about life growing up in the inner cities, people listened because they could relate, this is why it became so popular. Today's rap is giving itself a bad name and demoralizing the hip hop community.
There are many negative impacts that rap music is having on society today, especially teenagers. Using violence to win or survive are what many artist are singing about, this is an issue. Many parents blame their childrens involvement in gang related actives on the music they listen to. For example, rap song from Bloods and Crips “piru love” is singing about different gangs, and death, to those that cross
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Negative Influences Gangster Rap
    • 865 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Negative Influences Gangster Rap

    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
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Changes Tupac Analysis
    • 1851 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Changes Tupac Analysis

    Dating back to the eras of the Beatles and the Rollingstones, music has always had an affect on the ways that people act, dress, and live their lives. With the arrival of rap and hip-hop music in the mid 1980's, new lyrics and cultural values began to spread throughout the radio frequencies of every household and car in society. Rap provided a new form of music - a music based upon fast and catchy rhythms that could launch an audience off of their seats, forcing them to dance in the isles…

    • 1851 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Is Hip-Hop Music Ruining Our Teenagers? Essay Example
    • 1035 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Is Hip-Hop Music Ruining Our Teenagers? Essay Example

    Rap music has always been under microscope for its brand of misogyny.(Hip-Hop Objectifies Women But So Does Society) While the blame for violent teens has shifted towards rap music, it still has a small bit of positive supporters. When you listen to rap music your first thought is "God No turns this mess off." Yet us, as in society lacks to see the positive in the lyrics. Rap music was one of the beginning ways that people sought to speak out against the government. In the usual case nobody would say anything, but in 1980s that all would change.…

    • 1035 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Hip Hop Influence African American Culture
    • 748 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Does Hip Hop Influence African American Culture

    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
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Why Rap Isn't a Bad Influence
    • 341 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Why Rap Isn't a Bad Influence

    Good afternoon judges and audience. My name is Camila Díaz, and I’m the summary speaker.…

    • 341 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hip-Hop's Negative Impact On African American Youth
    • 491 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Hip-Hop's Negative Impact On African American Youth

    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.…

    • 491 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    The Influence of Hip Hop on the Black-American Culture
    • 1331 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Influence of Hip Hop on the Black-American Culture

    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
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Gangsta Rap Thesis
    • 1513 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Gangsta Rap Thesis

    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
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Gun Laws Must Be Enforced
    • 1811 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Gun Laws Must Be Enforced

    Herd, D. (2009, Spring). Changing images of Violence in Rap music. Journal of Public Health, 30(4), 395-406 12p. EBSCOhost.…

    • 1811 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hip Hop Satire
    • 1178 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Hip Hop Satire

    Hip hop serves as a form of unity and a crutch for some. Kids tend to always be looking for an adult figure in their life. Some have many others have none, but just about all look up to those in media. Rappers are a part of a multi-billion dollar industry their reach stretches from clothing to cars. Rappers tend to be that adult figure in most urban communities. These kids look up to see their favourite music stars are like themselves. Popular rap star Kendrick Lamar grew up in Compton, one of Americas worst hoods. Now he is a huge star and has fame and fortune. The youth in situations like this see him as a form of inspiration. They aspire to be great like their favourite hip hop stars; they want to pull themselves out of the ghetto. This impact on youth is a great positive for the genre, and a great story for it to. For some the music that they can identify with the most is a way for other to connect. Much like people connect through sports or other interests, hip hop serves as the same tool. Friendships form through these social bonds provided by the music of this genre. With the formation of these friendships they often lead to positive results. For example Taylor and Taylor note that “Early hip hop has often been credited with helping to reduce inner-city gang violence by replacing physical violence with dance and artwork battles.”(qtd About Hip Hop Youth Subculture, 1) These outlets and groups help in reducing violence and instead promote creativity. Music of any genre is a form on entertainment. Rap is no different; these kids are escaping into the world of music. With these kids staying away from gangs and violence they are more likely to grow up to be functioning members of society. While the rap stars are not the sole reason for this they are definitely a part of the solution as opposed to the problem. There are many examples of rap artists helping the youth in a community whether its “Drake and P Reign playing…

    • 1178 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Violence In Rap Music
    • 631 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Violence In Rap Music

    The association of violence with alcohol also increased, but the relationship was not as pronounced as that with drugs, Explanations for the rise of gangster rap and violence in rap music have tended to focus on two basic themes. Representatives from the music and other media industries have argued that media violence is a reflection of actual social trends. Echoing this perspective, some scholars have focused on the structural conditions – oppressive economic and social conditions, the crack cocaine drug trade and ensuing drug war, and high levels of police brutality – within urban ghettos that promote violent themes in rap music. Within this framework, other writers have focused on the violent lifestyles of major rap artists as an explanation for the rising tide of violence in the…

    • 631 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hip Hop Culture Essay
    • 681 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Hip Hop Culture Essay

    In recent years, controversy in Hip-hop culture has been in the mix of America media. From the hype of the lyrics and the impact that Hip-hop music has on the youth. It seems that political and media groups have been quick to place all of the blame on rap music for the trend in youth violence from the murders and the gang related problems. However, forms of music cannot be understood unless you study the fame of its historical and social context. Hip-hop culture reflects the young, urban, working-class African Americans and uses the voice to express the views of the everyday life and the struggle. Now in the pop culture Hip Hop music popularity has grown, and now commercialization has took place and the culture and the origin is controlled by the music industry.…

    • 681 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Music Lyrics Do Not Promote Violence
    • 1708 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Music Lyrics Do Not Promote Violence

    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…

    • 1708 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Audio Production
    • 341 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Audio Production

    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
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Rap Music Controversy
    • 618 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Rap Music Controversy

    They claim rap music is “merely another creative expression that is an outgrowth of prevailing entertainment practices.” The evolvement of rap music, therefore, is the fault of an America who financially applauds the embellishment of such behaviours that are now deemed, unacceptable. Disdain for the music genre directly attacks the outlet created by young people to voice their anger with American society. “Gangsta rap gained notoriety, in part, due to its misogynous themes, encouragement of hypermaterialism, violent lyrics, and the behavior of some of its artists. However, antisocial behaviors, or activities considered reprobate by predominant cultural norms (e.g., shooting police officers or rival gang members) are symptoms of far more complex and multifaceted issues than commonly acknowledged.” This basically enforces the idea that rap music is merely an expression and is not the cause growing misogynistic beliefs and gang fights in society. However, this form of rap may have just glorified the “gangsta…

    • 618 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More

Related Topics