Their Music Rap Artists example essay topic

Rap music has received lots of criticism for often containing obscene language, and shocking themes of homicide, drug use, rape, guns, violence, and murder (Robert 2). Many people believe that rap music has had a negative influence on today's youth, causing listeners to be anti-social or even violent (Hip-hop 1). One source talked about a thirteen year old student at West Side Middle School in Jonesboro, Arkansas who shot fifteen people at his school. A teacher at this school, Debbie Pelley, testified in court on June 16, 1998, that she believes that modern rap music may have been what inspired him to commit these violent crimes (Pelley 1).

Students at this school said that he was very passionate about rap music, and verified that the message of most gangsta rap is that killing and being on death row is cool (Pelley 1). Some rappers criticize America for its racial and economic discrimination and blame youth crime, violence, and drug use on that, rather than rap music and media violence. Rapper Juvenile said in an interview with USA today that he believes that better home training and leadership would help kids keep things in perspective, and that rap music is not to blame when violent crimes occur (Hip-hop 1). His opinion is very biased though, since he is a rap artist that has used very explicit lyrics in his songs. The question is, can violent words and images actually incite violent actions? Numerous studies show that children exposed to media violence and rap music containing explicit lyrics are at a greater risk to behave violently (Robert 1).

Should these studies be evidence enough to enforce censorship or put boundaries on what rap artists can rap about? British rapper Slick Rick, after just getting released from prison for attempted murder, stated in an interview with USA Today about music censorship, "it's time we set some realistic boundaries for ourselves. It is obvious that some of the things we say are ludicrous. We don't need to be promoting the sale of drugs or robbery, and we don't need to be promoting high levels of ignorance" (Hip-hop 1). After being released from prison Slick Rick continued to make music, but changed his style to promote a more positive message. In a song called "Street Talking" he says "I'm tryin to help raise our youth tell me, see the ruler Rick this face this man, helped clean up this land, the reputation of this man, will withhold and withstand".

It is the opinion of Randy Blazak, a cultural sociologist who teaches classes at Portland State University about the importance of hip-hop, that boundaries "should be up to the artists's else of expression and responsibility", and that "good parenting can keep kids from being influenced by the negative stuff". It is another opinion that anyone weak-minded enough to be swayed to commit such violent crimes, because of rap music, needs mental and medical help in the first place (Less influence 1). I agree that some rap music is a negative influence on today's youth, but share the opinion that it is up to good parenting and good leadership in the home, to keep kids from being exposed to this music. Realistically kids can only be sheltered from this music until they are young adults and then it will be their choice whether they listen to it. The important thing is that they get healthy values taught to them by their parents so that they can make the right choices not to listen to that music along with good choices in life in general. I also believe that it would be unconstitutional and unethical to take away a rap artists freedom of speech or freedom of expression.

There are many forms of offensive and violent music and media, and to blame our nations moral decay on rap music alone is ridiculous. Artists in all forms of music use personal experiences as inspiration and substance for their music. A country singer can sing about his brother dying in a rodeo and that is acceptable, but a rap artist that makes a song about losing his brother to gang violence is somehow a lot less acceptable. Both artists share similar feelings of loss and both artists deal with their feelings by writing a song.

Both artists are depicting the reality that they are living, so is it not ok for artists to depict reality in their music if it portraits a negative aspect of American culture? There are many positive ways in which rap music has influenced our society as a whole. Although media often focuses on the violent obscene lyrics and themes, rap music is used as an educational tool by drawing attention to problems of poverty, racism, and "economic oppression" (Rose 1). Rap music gives a public voice to urban America, and through their music rap artists paint a realistic picture of what is going on around them, growing up in urban poverty (Rose 2). Though most of these stories they tell are violent, graphic and obscene, they are a "reflection of what is real" (Blazak). Ask yourself, how can rap artists be criticized for making music reflecting upon what is going on around them, like drug use, murder, and other violence?

Many other types of music artists use their surroundings and what is going on around them to make songs. Rap music is criticized because it accurately portrays a negative aspect of American culture. Rap music cannot be blamed for showing to the public both the pleasures and problems of growing up in urban poverty. One example of this is when rap artist 2 Pac says in his song "Thug Mansion"Picture me inside the misery of poverty, no man alive has ever witnessed struggles I survive". Later in that song 2 Pac goes on to say "Seen the politicians ban us, they'd rather see us locked in chains, please explain why they can't stand us, is there a way for me to change, or am I just a victim of things I did to maintain". This song addresses the issues of trying to survive in poverty and discrimination by the government, and yet 2 Pac was considered one of the most violent and offensive rap artists in the industry, for making songs like "Hit Em Up", where he says "That's why I fucked your bitch you fat mother fucker" and was very violent towards rivals in the rap industry.

Rap music is "black culture expression" (Rose 2), and has opened up America's eyes to the problems of poverty, drug use, violence, and easy access to guns. Crack cocaine use has been consistently declining in the U.S. and some credit is owed to rappers that have rapped about being a crack fiend and how it has ruined their families (Hip-Hop 1). This is just one example of how rap is used as an educational tool and a voice for urban America, other rappers talk about having to support their families and themselves by selling drugs and how rap music has changed their life and allowed them to support themselves and their families without committing crimes. Still other rappers, such as Too Short address the importance of staying in school and getting a good job.

In his song "The Good Life", Too Short says, "it's all dreams and there's certain things you gotta do, like do good in school". By making people aware, rap music has taken the first step in trying to solve these problems. Many artists have taken a step further than just making people aware of the problems but trying to promote solutions to solve problems. Many rap artists have performed and spoken at Stop the Violence concerts such as, Run DMC, Big Daddy Kane, Queen Latifah, and many more. The purpose of these concerts were to promote peace, to talk about violence and why it exists and for artist to join together and speak out against violence and show there concern for the growing national violence statistics and increase in hate crimes. All of those artists also collaborated together for H.E.A.L. (Human Education Against Lies) a follow up tour to Stop the Violence, to promote anti-violence and teaching youth anti-violence skills.

These concerts were very successful and helpful and have continued to be held annually with different artists each year. Views Do You Think Rap Music Has An Influence On Girls Between The Age Of 13-16? Music is apart of our everyday lives. we associate our day, feelings and emotions within the music. Whether the lyric composition is negative or degrading, we lock ourselves into the music for comfort. It expresses the problems we go through and is an outlet for our emotions to be expressed. to those of you who do not think you are being influenced by the music you hear, you have no clue what influences you and what doesnt.

EVERYONE is somehow influenced by the music they listen, whether its the lyrics, the musical instruments or the beat... MUSIC has its role in our lives! -Female 16 y I think that music has everything to do with who you are. I mean that is why people pick the kind of music they listen to because it ex planes who they are. Lets face it if you listen to rap you are most likely to dress different then someone who listens to rock. I mean not everyone goes with the same style because they listen to a certain music.

Music just is "WHO YOU ARE". - Female 15 y Music can have a very strong effect on a person, especially a young person. Music can be soothing or exciting or thrilling. Lyrics can have an even stronger effect on a person. Once you hear a song, you begin to think about, and the lyrics go round and round in your head until some other lyrics occupy your mind.

For example, I've had the 'Jingle for Goldfish's tuck in my head for two days (Here's our jingle for goldfish, baked and not fried goldfish. The snack that smiles back 'til you bite their heads off. Did you know they " re made with real cheese, even though the look like fishes. The snack that smiles back, goldfish) it's a commercial. Even if you don't listen to the lyrics of a song, they can still influence you.

My sister and I were sitting in her car with the country music station on, but we were talking about something else. A couple days later, I had this song in my head, even though I wasn't listening to the lyrics. Music makes you think, about it, it's lyrics, and it's theme. There's no way you can get around the influence it has, even if you don't think it does. - Female 15 y i am written an English essay on Music influencing the mind, and have had to come to a conclusion. Music only effects the weak minded that like to be the sheep, following all the latest trends and coping their "idols".

I listen to a wide variety of music and dress the way I want, Have my own opinions on violence, and believe in what religion I want. The mind is a powerfull tool, it just depends wether you take control over it or not. - Female 16 y yes music does hav an influence on us. it makes us think in differnt ways and it completly changes us. - Female 14 y i think that the type of music people listen to sorta shapes their personality... personal i listen to rap and i dont think it has had any type of affect on me. but, other people who listen to and take what rappers have to say seriously then it would affect you in ways like trick daddy and 2 pac / still ballin... when you hear i was shot but i still walking on this earth... people might be affected by this...

- Female 13 y Music doesn't define me. I define me, and the music I listen to reflects who I am. But just because I listen to Eminem doesn't mean I'm violent or because I like t. A.T. u. doesn't make me a lesbian. People need to realize this.

- Female 14 y.