Informative Essay: The Issue In Today's Music

For thousands of years, music has been a form of self-expression that has united groups of people through its historical and traditional meaning. In the 1980’s, a new, more diverse genre took over the music industry by storm., Hip-Hop/Rap. This contemporary genre has raised much controversy over the years from parents, educators, and conservatives. These groups worry that Rap music glorifies negative lifestyle choices such as drugs, violence, sex and gangs; and those lyrics’ influence on youth. Since music is more apart of youth’s life than ever, these concerns are questioning the limitations on Rap’s explicit content. However, Rap serves as a positive outlet for self-expression without limits, allowing artists to freely communicate their journeys and struggles. In addition, Rap sheds light on current political/social issues in a relatable, digestible way; allowing youth to be more conscious and involved in society & its struggles; resulting in improved race relations and narrowing the gap between the rich and poor.

A problem that Bennett makes clear is how impressionable the younger audiences are when they are exposed to rap and Hip-Hop. There’s many debate on the topic of children listening to the music, but before we can argue over whether children should be able to listen to the music we must go over the pros and cons to the music genre. The positive side is that rap is an accepted form of self-expression, and educators have shown that it has inspired kids to write. Many kids feel they can relate to the songs, and it persuades them to write their own in an attempt to make sense of the world around them. On the other hand Hip-Hop can have some negative effects as well. A large number of artists such as Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Eminem, and others involve the use of profanity, violence, references to sex and

For many years, the youth have been known for singing along to their favorite song and taking that song as whole and using it as their motto for life. It may seem that sometimes these kids do not know what is being said in the music but this shows that they do know what the lyrics are saying. According to Franklin B. Krohn and Frances L. Suazo in their article “Contemporary Urban Music: Controversial Messages in Hip-Hop and Rap Lyrics,” many teenagers and minority groups view rappers as their spokesmen because of their ability to speak in street language and bluntly express their frustration (Krohn, 1995). Unfortunately, hip hop lyrics usually tend to talk about drugs, sex and violence leading kids to think that everything they hear is okay and that is how they have to live their life. Yet, there are artists out there who take their lyricist skills to give positive lyrics and messages in their music, but these songs are not often played in the mainstream.

Music has an important role in children and adolescent’s life. Mainstream music is heard almost everywhere whether it’s on a laptop, phone, radio, cd, etc. The accessibility allows anyone to hear it at any place and situation, alone or with friends. The lyrics can have a big impact on everyone’s life’s differently. Lyrics have become more explicit in their references to misogyny, drugs and violence particularly in certain genres, like rap. I used to love to listen to rap all the time, never paying attention to what the rapper was saying. According to the dictionary rap means “Words (that) are recited rapidly and rhythmically over a prerecorded, typically electronic instrumental backing” I used to listen to rap because

In the late 1950s, Rock and Roll began to pick up and get very popular. It became big among young people of the generation. While it was found captivating for teens, many adults at the time formed strong criticisms and dissatisfactions of the music. They tended to believe that Rock brought out “animalism and vulgarity” (Kornhaber). Nowadays, the very popular music choice amongst teenagers is rap. Just like what happened with Rock and Roll, there is a great deal of criticism about this music choice as well.

Thesis: Music such as Rap and Rock-n-Roll have a negative impact in the youth in our society, the music promotes violence, sexism, and vulgar language.

The corruptness of music today seems to be linked to the crude language and aggression found particularly in hip-hop and rap music. Some rap artists use vulgar language in their lyrics that are easily adoptable by teens (Holden). Not only have certain lyrics influenced the way teens speak but also their actions. An article on Headliners.org stated that “lyrics in the music are too violent and are to blame for many problems.” The problems range anywhere from suicide and aggression towards women to underage drinking and drug use. Lyrics are not only to blame, but also what people see in artists’ music videos can affect what they do (Doaks). The urge to emulate these rap musicians has escalated quickly causing a spike in rebellious tendencies among teens.

Young adults between the ages of 16 and 30 are the most likely age group to consume rap/hip-hop music, and in turn, may become desensitized to the derogatory lyrics condoning relationship violence and sexual aggression (Smith, 2005). Specifically, college-aged individuals have been influenced by the prevalence of sexually explicit media and the negative images of women presented in hip-hop culture, which “teach men that aggression

In a number of ways in his article, Beaver argues “at the very least” that companies involved with the recording industry should meet what he calls the “‘moral minimum’” to prevent the harm he feels is inflicted upon all aspects of society by rap music and should consider “censoring” the derogatory language observed in rap lyrics in order to “correct social injuries,” even if the lyrics of the genre itself generate a sustainable profit from consumers (107). Beaver calls attention to the fact that the lyrics of any genre of music, not just rap, can impact human behavior in a negative way due to the violence and unfavorable messages embedded in the lyrics themselves. He bases this fact not only on the opinions expressed by critics of the rap genre, but also on the results of a variety of suggestive scientific studies involving groups of people ranging from college students to youths aged twelve to seventeen. Beaver notes that the results of the studies have shown increases in negative behavior such as aggression and sexual activities. Beaver does endorse the fact that researchers

In experiments on over 500 college students, who often work cheaper than guinea pigs and have less complicated musical tastes, subjects were found to experience a increase in aggressive thoughts after listening to songs with violent lyrics, (Morrison, 1). Based on this information people can conclude that since rap lyrics are violent often, it is the main cause for aggressive thoughts caused from hip hop. Rap music causes lots of violence every year and it is only used for entertainment purposes. Rap has no value for learning anything; it is just a hostile form of music most times. Rap music can influence teens because it can encourage violent behavior, and it can make kids start using drugs, also it can influence illegal activities.

Encyclopedia Britannica defines music as, “art concerned with combining vocal or instrumental sounds for beauty of form or emotional expression, usually according to cultural standards of rhythm, melody, and, in most Western music, harmony”. Music was considered beautiful at one time. Musical artist in this day and age are putting their drive to succeed well before their personal morals. The explicit language warnings on music covers are not enough. The foul language used in music is not the only thing that is influencing the younger generation. Pop, country, R&B, and rap music is having a big impact on influencing the American youth. Most of these music lyrics are just flat out detrimental to all involved.

Music has always played an important role in everyone’s life especially teenagers but now that's all changed. The era of music that young teens follow isn’t what it used to be. The average adolescent now hears approximately 84 references to explicit substance use a study from the New York times noted. Another site i got my information from took a study and found adolescents who listen to degrading sexual lyrics are more likely to engage in riskier sexualized behavior.

Music lyrics are an important part of music so that you understand what you or your child is soaking into the mind. It contains messages and feelings that the singer or rapper is trying to convey to the listeners. There are many genres of music that sends out different types of messages. Love, peace, freedom, violence and emotionless are some of the messages that can be spread through music lyrics. Music lyrics have become increasingly explicit over the years. The songs make common graphic references to sex, drugs and violence. Unlike in the past where sensitive issues were sensibly screened. However, disturbing lyrics and the amount of violence portrayed in some modern music are becoming a great concern for many

“Turn that off! I don’t like the language in that song!” Music containing explicit lyrics is becoming the new normal for teens these days. Genres of music such as rap and hip-hop have received negative criticism about their music due to its lyrics talking about drugs, sex, violence and alcohol. Along with that, hatred towards women, gays, lesbians, and minorities have also been exposed in various songs. Little do these artists know that their music is affecting the youth in destructive ways. Teens look at artists and idolize them for their “great” work.

        There is music playing everywhere you walk, we listen to it for fun, to calm us down and for many other reasons. We listen to all kinds of music all day. But how you ever thought the bad and good effects that impact children and teens life? Teens and children do not know the main message behind the music they are listening to stating after them, and they do not know the bad effect it has on teens and children.  Did you know that between  7* and 12* grades, the average American teenager will listen to 10,500 hours of rock or rap music as stated by Mickel and Mickel (2002)? There are bad and good impacts on children and teens life. To begin, Rap and hip-hop have a negative effect on children and teens. Secondly, Hip-hop music gave more confidence to children to think and feel comfortable with who they are. Finally.  Rap music has affected the children and teens in a positive way. Rap and hip-hop music has  some similar and different effects on children and teen