Preview

Rap Music

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2308 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Rap Music
The Media’s deceptive characterization of Rap Music If the average person is asked to picture an image of a rapper, images of a man with his body covered in tattoos, wearing gold chains with smoke pouring out of his mouth and swearing to every second word he says would be some of the first things to come to his or her head. If the person is asked again to describe how they picture a rap music video to be like, her or she would probably describe the video centered on a rapper with the features previously mentioned, surrounded by women with alcohol involved being derogatory and vulgar. If the person was told that part of the reason the usage of crack cocaine has declined in the United States is because of rappers who have rapped about using it and how it has ruined their career, life and families ("Positive Influences of Rap."), he or she would have a hard time believing it because it goes against the things he or she is used to seeing in the media about rap music effects. Rap music is an “American minority artist creation” that originated in the Bronx, New York in the 70s (Rhodes, Henry). Rappers first began to rap at local house parties along funky party music that people danced to. At this time of the music’s evolution, rapping would go on for about fourteen minuets and often times it would be turned into rap battles. Forwarding couple of years, rap music began gained popularity in the media and in the 80s it became a “distinct musical genre” (Wood, Joann). The more fame the music got, the more of a controversy it became in the United States. The explicit lyrics, usage of drugs, alcohol, and the violent behaviors that some rappers began to mention in their music became a big target for the media to depict as it was seen as a “negative influence” to the youth. Nowadays, rap music and the artists behind it is solely depicted and represented in a biased way by the media that the public’s main perception of the music is that it’s a nuisance and poisonous to the


Cited: Denton, Rodolfo. "Why Rap Gets a Bad Rap." Greater Good. N.p., 31 May 2011. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. "Does Today 's Music Have a Negative Influence on Our Youth." WolfWikis RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. Harvey, Bonita M Kirchheimer, Sid. "Does Rap Music Put Teens at Risk?" WebMD. WebMD, 2003. Web. 15 Feb. 2013. "Music." : Critical Media Literacy. N.p., 21 May 2012. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. Olson, Bruce. "Rapper Nelly Moves Forward in Life by Giving Back." Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 23 Dec. 2010. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. "Positive Acts of Rappers and Hip Hop." Hip-hop 's Affect on America. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. "Positive Influences of Rap." Rap Music. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. Rhodes, Henry A Shakur, Tupac. "Changes." Greatest Hits. Death Row Records/Interscope Records, 1998. CD. Wood, Joann. "Rap Music." Rap Music. N.p., Apr. 2004. Web. 8 Feb. 2013.
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

    Have you ever wondered if letting children listen to whatever music they wanted to would ever have a bad influence on them? Parents today try and control what their kids listen to, but they sometimes end up failing. Since teens and young adults have the largest influence on music, they are the ones who will decide what will be the most popular music genre in pop culture. Some parents believe that letting their children listen to “gangster rap” or any other form of harmful and vulgar music will turn them into a psychopathic cop killer. With the this being true in some cases, it can be a cause for concern. The problem that most parents actually have with these types of harmful music is that it changes the way their children act and speak towards…

    • 865 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    A Response to “Hip Hop: a Roadblock or Pathway to Black Empowerment”
    • 1114 Words
    • 5 Pages

    A Response to “Hip Hop: a Roadblock or Pathway to Black Empowerment”

    Geoffrey Bennett’s article Hip Hop: A Roadblock or Pathway to Black Empowerment illustrates the influence hip hop and rap music has had on not only the music industry but mainstream culture, African Americans to be specific. Geoffrey Bennett, a senior English Major from Voorhees, New Jersey goes over many aspects of how hip hop came to be “the forefront of American attention.” He starts from its early history in the 1980s as an African American exclusive music genre to what is now a worldwide phenomenon. He reviews the affect it has had on the lifestyle of many people and the ways it’s changed the way people speak, attire, hairstyles, and overall character. Bennett points out those rappers must be aware of the messages they send out as well as their intended audiences, and as long as there’s a mutual understanding between interested parties the special art form and rich African American heritage can be protected. Points in the article have been made that are arguable to say the least, but if some of these points are addressed and maintained, the genre can survive.…

    • 1114 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better 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

    Is hip hop ruining our teenager’s lives? A lot of people say that it is. Statistics show that teenagers that listen to Hip Hop music are typically more violent, and also a lot more social. The use of profane language absurd music videos and promotion of drugs and other substances is often the cause to be. But look past all the speculations and see if you see the culture, the moral value, and the just all around uplifting mood you get from listening to rap music.…

    • 1035 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful 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

    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
  • Powerful Essays

    Rap Music: The Evolution Of Hip Hop Culture
    • 1763 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Rap Music: The Evolution Of Hip Hop Culture

    As hip-hop culture evolved and entered mainstream American culture its focus shifted greatly; however, regardless of the general trends of the genre, hip-hop – specifically the rap music component - continued to express the concerns of an otherwise overlooked portion of America. Today, rap music stands in the forefront of popular music, and the effect of hip-hop culture on the American public is blaringly evident. Yet, despite its commercialization, hip-hop has maintained its status as a highly valid method of…

    • 1763 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful 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

    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
    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
  • Better Essays

    The Effects of Rap on Inner Cities
    • 1941 Words
    • 8 Pages

    The Effects of Rap on Inner Cities

    Do you believe that one's words can reflect on a certain person's action? Today, Rap has become the most popular type of music in the US. The Rap industry is dominated by artists' who mostly dedicate their lyrics to either violence, drugs, or sex. Through 1998 and 1999 the survey taken by the National Music Bureau, stated that 46% of the listeners of Rap are under the age of 19. While 65% of the listeners, live in run-down homes, or impoverished areas, usually being inner cities. The National Music Bureau also reported that in the 66% of the listeners of Rap who are under the age of 19, 86% of those teen-agers are black. Along with that fact, many of the artists sing about their ghettos, and their past ways of life, which included, drugs, sex, murder, and alcohol. The listeners of rap living in run down areas in the inner cities see themselves in the same situation as many of the rap artists', and duplicate what they hear. So although a person may be responsible for his or her action, rap music dramatically affects the lives of America's inner cities and slums.…

    • 1941 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better 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

    The Effect Of Country Music On Suicide Analysis
    • 1412 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Effect Of Country Music On Suicide Analysis

    Scott's article, "Rap Music and its Violent Progency: America's Culture of Violence in Context” approaches the issue of "rap music as a creative expression and metorphorical offspring of America's well-established culture of violence. Richardson and Scott's point of this article was to answer the question to what the role of rap music is and how it contributes to voilence in society. Richardon and Scott pulled different statistics and data from violence within movies, video games, and music. This artical states, "Violence in music is not by any means limited to rap or gangsta rap. Folk and country music have contained references to murder, killing of police, and domestic violence for decades" (181). The method of the authors was to place rap music in a context that was unusual to the audience, the authors grabbed several different ideas about rap music such as; capitalism and rap, political and judicial scrutiny of rap, rap in the scholorly literature, rap within cultural capital and social reproduction, violence in rap music and overal rap musics effects on the culture. The authors did not exaclty answer their research question, they merely just implemented different ideas about violence and rap in order to increase the audiences knowledge on the given subject. The authors arrived to the conclusion that "[r]ap music has drawn attention to the subjugated life and senseless violence the mainstream culture attempts to…

    • 1412 Words
    • 6 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
  • Powerful Essays

    Rap Music
    • 1104 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Rap Music

    When it comes to defining rap music, some define it as poetry in the form of music. Even though rap music is thought of as a form of art, it is highly debated as a controversial social issue. Author Sid Kirchheimer from " Does rap put teens at risk" makes a claim that rap music is a detriment to our youth. He believes that negative behaviors is the outcome of people watching and listening to rap music. Author Curtis Aron from "Rap Music: Is It As Bad As Some People Think?" Thinks otherwise and claims that rap music is looked at as a whole and is greatly misunderstood. Aron explains that the genre of rap music is blanketed by its popular view of being a negative influence and is being greatly misunderstood. Using the Toulmin model of argument, both arguments offer very good reasons why their arguments provide persuasive evidence about the different perspectives of rap music.…

    • 1104 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More

Related Topics