Rap Turning Youth Violent?

In my previous blogs, I've discussed how rappers today are influencing young people. It has been said that young people take the rappers lyrics to the heart and, in a way, live by them. This could be a good thing, as if the rapper is a role model for a young person. For this to happen, the rapper must be producing positive lyrics. But, we all know, that in today's society rap music is known as the most offensive derogatory type. It contains degrading lyrics towards women, as well as habits of a bad lifestyle (i.e., drugs, alcohol, sex). Now what kind of role model is this? Many people believe rap music is corrupting youth, and setting a bad example. Rappers' lyrics can talk about how crime is their lifestyle, or their niche in society. When a young person hears this, they could tend to follow it - especially if they come from a bad home life, or something along those lines.
In an argument, I discussed it wasn't only rap music making youth violent. Other factors play a role as well. Rappers can't be blamed for everything. It's a stereotype that ALL rap music talks about smoking weed and having sex. Rappers can sometimes send a good message across. Rap music today catches young peoples ears by the beat, not always by the lyrics. A young person listening to certain songs can make them look as if they aren't on the best track in life. That may not always be the case. Rap music does have an influence and can impact someone's life majorly. But, not always, does rap corrupt you.

Rap turning youth violent?

People may argue that rap music is sending youth in the wrong direction with the sexual and violent lyrics. But, not many know that hip hop/rap music is being used as a therapeutic practice for "high-risk clients." It's called Hip Hop Social Work. It may seem like hip hop and social work wouldn't go together at all, but Lauren Collins, a therapist who has an MSW from Hunter College's Graduate School of Social Work. Collins says, "Hip hop provides a comfortable forum for honest self-examination while helping participants find their way along the path to personal growth." Even though hip hop and rap music is said to be ruining young people's minds and lifestyles, it's also helping people who need that way of expression.

The Seattle Times tells how Fans turn away from rap's violence. Are record sales declining because the public is tired of nasty lyrics? It's possible that parents are tired of their children listening rhymes that make no sense but to set them on the wrong path. Also, how many times can you rap about drugs before it gets old?

Many social disturbings are being blamed on rappers and their songs, as well. Jason Whitlock wrote on AOL that the disruption at the NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas should give the blame to "hip hop hoodlums". He proceeded to say that the game should be moved out of country for a couple years, to keep the "hoodlums" out and let them find another gathering to ruin. David Banner, a famous rapper with the hit "Like a Pimp," argues that this is the type of music America wants to hear. Should we allow that to be an excuse: America wants to hear about cocaine, weed, sexual addictions, alcohol, and killings. Or is it just that young Americans are hearing it only because that's what "makes them cool."

Rappers turning youth violent?

As young people listen to the newest hits on the radio stations, they tend to not only like the song but like the artist. Today's youth is becoming influenced greatly by the lyrics and artists they hear. The unfortunate part is what the lyrics are really saying. Rappers talk about drugs, gangs, violence, sex, and more explicit lifestyles. The way they lure in young people is by wealth, according to Charles Duncan, at Associatedcontent.com. "When you multiply the effect by hearing that crime pays I am standing here as living proof, a dangerous patter begins to emerge," says Duncan. Young people have the easiest access to this vulgarity, due to Mp3 players, iPods, and YouTube. Tara Parker-Pope states, "Nearly 9 out 10 adolescents or teens have an Mp3 player or a compact disc player in their bedrooms," in Under the Influence of...Music? Music is a huge part of lives today. It's rare to run across a car without a radio or CD player. Also, TV has specified certain channels that play only music. Such a wide variety of music sources, gives youth easier opportunities to listen to their favorite Kanye or Lil Wayne song. But really, what is this making out of society's young people? They are hearing in every lyric how to smoke the right weed, or what kind of clothes they should wear. These are not the only things wrong with rappers lyrics today, but just a few. Not only are you what you eat, but it's proven you could be what you listen to, according to Project Muse.