America Needs Rap and Hip Hop
Ever since it became popular in the late eighties, hip-hop music has been a target of moral disapproval. Many critics have labeled the music as an offensive, vulgar, misogynist form of expression, which negatively influences its listeners, particularly children. Early in rap music's' development "concerned citizens" and various government officials held protests against the release of certain rap albums. Rap music's opponents demanded strict censorship. But hip-hop was increasingly attracting large audiences and its supporters were ready to fight the censors who they believed were taking away their constitutional right of freedom of speech, and the freedom of the urban black culture to express
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There is a great deal of skill involved in the production of a Hip-Hop song. Although there is no melody, rappers need to work hard to master their "flow" which needs to have rhythm. The real talent of rappers comes in the poetry of their songs. It is difficult to write a song that rhymes, flows and has some substantial content. A good rapper is able to blend poetry and music to create a unique song full of eloquent language. An example of the literary quality of some of these rap songs can be illustrated in the song, " I used to love H.E.R. by common sense. In this song, the artist uses a woman as a metaphor of hip-hop. (see appendix 1)
One of Rap music's greatest criticisms is that it is sexist in its portrayal of women. Some argue that Hip-hop music teaches young children to look at women as "bitches" and "hoes", as women are often called in various hip-hop songs. It is this negative message that has constantly kept rap music in a national spotlight. Critics view sexism in rap as a symptom of an increasingly crumbling set of social values in the black urban community.
In contrast to the views held by hip-hop adversaries, some rap artists and hip-hop supporters argue that rap song lyrics are merely a twentieth-century colloquial dialect describing contemporary courtship rituals, economic inequality, and lack of commitment. Hip-hop music is not responsible for the
In the essay, “Hip-Hop’s Betrayal Of Black Women”(221), by Jennifer McLune, she vents her feelings regarding hip-hop songs that are rhythmically diminishing the value of black women. She provides example on how the lyrics are being voiced and how hip-hop artists do not seem to care. Kevin Powell in “Notes of a Hip Hop Head” writes, “Indeed, like rock and roll, hip-hop sometimes makes you think we men don’t like women much at all, except to objectify them as trophy pieces or, as contemporary vernacular mandates, as baby mommas, chicken heads, or bitches” (221). There have been apologizes for what the rappers have said but nothing to resolve the dehumanization of black women. McLune informs the readers that hip-hop singers belittle black women and make them invisible. Jay-Z, a popular hip-hop artist is brought to center stage by McLune. The essay shows the example of a part of Jay-Z song that says, “I pimp hard on a trick, look Fuck if your leg broke bitch hop on your good foot” (222). This lyric is a perfect example of how hip-hop artist have no remorse in the words they sing. The hurt feelings and loss of self-esteem black women suffer, is of no concern to the rappers. McLune expresses that those who are underground hip-hop artist follow the footsteps on being sexist and using crude words in their lyrics just because they yearn and dream of being in the spotlight. Upcoming rappers want to be loved like Jay-Z and other famous notorious rappers.
As a genre, hip-hop is often stereotyped. Many assume that every song is either about sex, violence, or absolutely nothing at all. Hip-hop is not the only genre that is stereotyped, as many of the same can be said for genres like country and metal, but hip-hop has such a negative stigma that many parents feel as though they should not let their children listen to any hip-hop. While it can be argued that much of the hip-hop that is made mainstream by the radio is highly inappropriate, statements like those are blanket statements made by people that have never actually taken the time to listen to any of those stations. Also, it completely ignores the rest of artists that never get to see that mainstream success, whether that is their choice or
Rap music is defined as popular music advanced by disc jockeys and urban blacks in the late 1970s. This kind of music consists of a repeated beat pattern that provides the background for rapid, urban language, accompanied by a vocalist. Hip-Hop music is a genre that originated in the United States by inner-city African Americans in the 1970s which consists of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted. The Difference between rap and hip-hop music defined by EBONY is that hip-hop is a culture while rapping is one of four elements contained therein—the others being breakdancing, DJing and graffiti. The perception of rap music/hip-hop music by academic scholars is often accurate, in the portrayal that types of rap/hip-hop musicians often exhibit violent, misogynistic, antisocial, and materialistic content and behavior. Writer’s Johnetta B. Cole, Tia Tyree, Michelle Jones, Matthew Oware, and have all discussed the topic of rap music, and the ways in which it exhibits violent, misogynistic, antisocial, and materialistic content and behavior.
Hip-hop culture began to develop in the south Bronx area of New York City during the 1970s. It had a significant influence in the music industry. Hip-hop music generally includes rapping, but other elements such as sampling and beatboxing also play important roles. Rapping, as a key part in the hip-hop music, takes different forms, which including signifying, dozen, toast and jazz poetry. Initially, hip-hop music was a voice of people living in low-income areas, reflecting social, economic and political phenomenon in their life [1]. As time moves on, hip-hop music reached its “golden age”, where it became a mainstream music, featuring diversity, quality, innovation and influence [2]. Gangsta rap, one of the most significant innovations in
Hip hop and rap as a musical genre is a very controversial subject for nearly everyone. Its influences are powerful, both positive and negative. There are many positive influences of hip hop, and a few examples are the breaking down of cultural barriers, the economic impact, and political awareness of pressing and urgent issues. Though there are many positive influences, there are many negative influences as well. Some of the more heated debates of the negative influences of hip hop are that it glorifies violence, and the fact that the music sexualizes women and degrades them as well. Attached to the negative outlook on hip hop, there are also many stereotypes assumed by society towards this type of culture
LDER GENERATIONS (SPECIFICALLY THE CIVIL Rights generation) undeniably despise the vulgarity and language that is apparent in rap music. The degradation and forced submission of women to men for dominance, pleasure, and esteem is definitely a controversial topic within and outside of the culture. However, before anyone, including the older generations, begin to condemn Hip Hop culture; specifically the element of rap, one must also consider the historical issues, experiences, controversies, music, and people that existed before the Hip Hop generation began.
An additional case of the violence and the misogyny that hip hop displays is that many of the songs talk of violence. I, and yourself would find it hard pressed to find a hip hop song that doesn’t talk of violence or sexualization of women. Those ideas seem to be the main topics of hip hop songs. These ideas are a poor example of behavior that needs to be exhibited to be a productive member of
Music is an ever-changing art form that has varied over the many centuries of time. As new eras arise so do the new sounds and types of music that become popular within the public eye. As new music appears, sometimes these new sounds and melodies can bring about controversy. One of the biggest new forms of music to bring about controversy was Hip-Hop/Rap. When the first songs of this new style first appeared in the early 1970’s in New York City it was relatively unknown, but as time progressed, it brought about much controversy and has continued to bring about much attention and criticism throughout the years.
Rap music, in particular has impacted the young generation by promoting misogyny lyrics. Women have fought so hard to be equal and gain respect, but yet there are obstacles that restrict women from being respected, music shapes people’s mind in a negative way. Music is one of many of the influences of today’s society because it shaped an individual minds. Misogynistic rap music has more than encourage
Today, many view this as just rap, but to fully embrace the variance between the two is to understand the difference. “Rap” is the musical sound produced by the art form of chanting rhythmically over a track of music. Contrarily, Hip-hop is not just music, it is a cultural movement that influenced America in positive ways. These positive influences are represented in the traditions, fashion,
America is based on ten fundamental rules that make up our constitution. These rules are called the Bill of Rights and, the first liberty that the Bill gives us is the freedom of speech and expression. Now what is hip hop, but that exact same thing freedom of speech with the lyrics that the artist say and the expression of their feeling
Hip Hop is more than just music, it is a culture. Over the past three nearly four decades, Hip Hop has influenced and uplifted Black America, speaking out for generations of families whilst providing a voice to a group of people trying to deliver a message both politically and therapeutically and some may say at times also very controversially. It was viewed as “street language” or “ghetto” due to its harsh language, associations with explicit sex, alcohol, gambling, street gang violence, drugs, and even prostitution. During the uprising of Hip Hop there was a marked rapid increase in street violence and drug use known as the “Crack era” during the late 80’s and early 90’s as some say it was the directly influenced by Hip Hop music . Marked at times as retaliation toward law enforcement, most Hip Hop songs and that time was focused on the unfairness and inequality of Black Americans amongst American society. Heavily criticized in the 1980 's, Hip-Hop still managed to enter mainstream in the 1990 's and by the early 2000 's, it was the mainstream music genre replacing the likes of more contemporary music. By constantly
Hip Hop is probably the fastest growing forms of music that has taken the world and the media by storm. What started in the Bronx as a hobby for some young African Americans and Latinos quickly became a distinct culture that broke barriers. Hip Hop created a culture that is so controversial and diverse, that many people in politics tried to bring it down. At the same time, many fought to keep it going and intent on proving that there are many positives that have come out of this type of music. Is Hip Hop looked down on because of its use of vulgar language and misogynistic views? Some argue since its arrival it has been nothing but trouble and others applaud Hip Hop as a masterpiece that came from the young minds of today’s urban generation. Sometimes when society has to deal with something new, they see the negative more, even though the positive is more obvious. Although, there are many positive characteristics of Hip Hop, mainstream media would rather focus on the negative and distort the many positives that Hip Hop has contributed to the world.
All of this shows how Hip Hop music is a bad influence to its listeners due to its lyrics. It contains swearing and cursing, violence, demeaning women, and affects the audience negatively. That is why songs like the ones mentioned before are unhelpful to
Many view hip hop as having a negative impact on adults; people think that hip hop is inferior for society. Furthermore, some believe it is the reason for gang existence. Gangs were actually created in the 1920’s and it was actually called the roaring 20’s. Also, many people think that it promotes sexual prejudice of women. However, even many women disagree with that statement. The women who agree with the statement are the ones who think of themselves being “hoes” says a girl from New York.Women need to not get offended and who says negative remarks about hip hop. Hip hop to some people is a good thing because It’s been around for a very long time. Seemingly so natural to the children that have grown up with it; as natural as air or water, just there, “a part of the digital landscape that streams through their lives.” A quote from walker.