what's the rap on rap?

by Andrea

How does rap music affect us in this time today? At one time, rap music was a way to express yourself. It was the social concious of the community. They were words about justice, poverty and civil rights. Has it changed? Does rap still reflect a social concious? Nowadays, rap is very popular in our time today, but many people, especially parents, think it should go away.

One reason for people to think that is because of the words they use in their lyrics. Nowadays its all about cussing, sex, drugs, drinking. No wonder most people don't want it around their children. There are many children though that do like this type of music, especially the older ones like teenagers.There are those big rap singers that everyone listens to. There is a misconception here. People think that the children listen to it because they agree with the lyrics. The reality is that we listen to it despite the lyrics. It's the beats. It's the hooks. It's the feel of dancing and it's the fact that it is forbidden.

Drinking,sex,and drugs are influenced in this type of music. Theres all this talk about just drinking and getting drunk. Now there are some children that will follow but there are most that won't be influenced by it. Perhaps it's because they realize that rappers aren't "promoting" a lifestyle as much as they are describing it. The rappers give the fans what they want to hear and they think drinking is one of them. They know that fans want songs about a wild life.

Is it that the fans want this music because they are into the partying lifestyle? Do they party as a result of the music? Or is it simply an escape? Is it that people are bored with "the good life" and are attraced to the danger described in rap music? Maybe the answer is all of the above.

Not only are there lyrics promoting sex, drugs and drinking but there's also racism. Rappers put thought into their lyrics. Racism is a major issue right now.There is racism against every race of person. You never know if the rappers really want you to go out and be racist or if they are just expressing their frustration about race. Are they promoting an open dialogue or are they promoting hate? Perhaps the answer is found in the use of stereotypes. Does rap music resort to racial stereotypes? It does seem that every time they mention minorities, they portray them as violent and overly sexual and angry.

In my opinion rap music doesnt affect everyone in any aspect. The people who have been influenced by it, it is their own fault. If you are so weak-minded that they fall into the racism, the drugs and the partying lifestyle, they need to grow a backbone. Then again the rappers should put a little less of sex, drugs, drinking, racism and cussimg words. It's not all everyone wants to hear. Give us a song or two about what really matters in the world. We'll listen and maybe make the world a better place.

Photo Credit
Flickr Creative Commons
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dantje/2049027313/