Rap Music And The World

Who some call the call the godfather of rap, Eazy E, once said, “Who gave it that title, gangsta rap? It 's reality rap. It 's about what 's really going on.” There has been a great injustice done to the form of expression called rap. In essence rap is just lyrics over a basic beat or rhythm. Many members of society today assume that rap is a dangerous and violent influence, however what they seem to be ignorant of is the fact that rap music is actually beneficial. The majority of the world we live in today has unjustly classified rap as a barbaric form of music, unfit for any decent human to listen to, but the reality of the situation is, that people simply cannot accept the culture known as rap into society. Nowadays, rappers such as Kanye, Soulja Boi, and Wiz Khalifa are receiving much criticism about the way they portray their “hoodlum” lifestyle or the way they “encourage” violence through their music, when in actuality they are venting about the unfair circumstances society has forced them into. Listening to rap music and it’s positive vibes is in fact beneficial based on evidence which shows that consumption of rap music not only assists the listener in several ways, but also aids the rapper.

Rap is a music genre, or better yet, a culture, otherwise known as hip hop, which emerged during the 1980’s in the South Bronx, New York City. Rap is a music genre that allows for self-expression by mostly African Americans. Common themes involve crime, violence and hardships that they face living in poverty-stricken communities. Lyrics often depict police brutality, racial injustice and flaws in the educational systems (Cepeda 44). The rap music industry has grown to become one of the largest, mos dominating mainstream industries in Western society, while its influence on American culture is monumental. The culture of rap music was born into an environment that was oppressive yet interestingly innovative. The music consists of complex combinations

However, over the past 10 years Rap music has received more and more of the blame for problems specifically problems with black youth today. These Problems include black on black crimes, violence, Drugs, Gang members, and high school dropout rates all these problems were significantly influenced by rap music and the negative aspects it brings to young black men and women today. Many believe that if it weren't for rap music and rappers, society wouldn't experience as much violence and use drugs, and gang members from the youth especially black youth, as well as such a high rate of dropout percentage mainly among black high schools. Do rappers really have this much of impact over Black youth? Can rappers be role models?

As the crowd throws their hands up in the air and sing at the top of their lungs every lyric of Kendrick Lamar’s song “Be Alright”. Each and every person could feel a connection to one another, even to the complete stranger standing next to them. It is a connection that still remains indescribable to many. It cannot be met with simple words on a piece of paper read in your average English class, or interpreted by some literary masterpiece from years ago. It’s one that is delivered by someone who has experienced life. Unlike poetry, rap channels someone’s inner pain without the use of fist or guns. The only weapon rappers use are their words. It is the most powerful form of expression in today's society because of its ability to empower someone else. Rap can shape the world with the power of spoken word without an artist even putting pencil to paper.

Rap music has been around for many decades. Rap/hip hop is a music genre that consists of a stylized rhythmic music that usually accompanies rapping. Since rap music’s explosion, it took the industry and became the important part of hip hop culture. It has advanced over time as a part of hip hop culture, which originated from urban youth in New York as a cultural movement. Its original listeners were primarily African America and it has spread around the world and hip hop has come to be a part for rap music to audiences. This music genre has risen over the years and has become a popular. “It continues to be one of the most popular genres of music, crossing over to different cultures and influencing different generations through its lyrical content and beats”(Weebly). Although many people disagree that rap music can actually have positive influences, all seem to defiantly agree that it can have negative influences. Many people agree that rap music has many negative influences: glorifying violence, sexualization, drug use, and egotistical. Rap can also have positive influences including unification and education, provide support, entertainment, and hope.

American society has created a version of the English language that significantly differs in context and formality compared to countries of similar linguistics. A large portion of this has come along with the rise of rap, not only as a genre itself but also as one of the most popular choices for most teens and young adults today. It seems as though every day a new word is presented, whether it be a single slang word or a new phrase never heard before. More often than not, it is not only introduced but quickly spreads throughout social media, high school/college campuses, and even advertisements trying to appeal to younger generations.

Although the mainstreaming of African American music conventionally led black audiences and artists to pursue new avenues of musical expression, rap music has continued to attract a diverse mass audience. Despite the growing involvement of white artists and audiences, rap is still considered part of the black culture, but worldwide, this style of music has established itself as part and parcel of mainstream popular youth culture (Baker, 181).

It is everywhere. Rap music is widespread and easily available anywhere. It can be listened to on the radio at a train station, on the Internet, and on phones, permitting the youth to listen to it in various circumstances, either on their way to school or along with their friends. Music has always had a tremendous effect on cultures and societies around the world. It affects how people act, speak, and dress. In today’s society, rap music has become such a fundamental part of the lives of youth that it is a very hard thing for them to imagine life without. Most rap music highlights lyrics that carry words in which violence and sexual desires are promoted in the youth, which has caused concern among most parents. Many people tend to believe that rap music creates a diverse culture that plays an essential role in communication that will help the youth to be more socialized. However, children can interpret the messages that are displayed in the lyrics of each rap song, either negatively or positively. Along with the explicit lyrics in songs, the negative context of some rap songs can mislead children into believing something that they shouldn’t. Thus, rap music should be eliminated in the United States because it generates violence and sexual desires and drives the youth to develop a sexual mindset, which will open a door to complete destruction.

Much like how jazz and blues were first highly controversial but undeniably very American musical styles, rap has become a definitive musical voice and creative outlet for a large group of people. In the last few decades, rap music in America has dramatically captured and changed the pop culture and media of youth. Much about rap is misunderstood because of lack of knowledge of the social context to some listeners and so it is often deemed obscene due to explicit language and content. Rap music has done so much socially crossing color barriers and introducing poetry to

Rap music has been around for many years and still has a powerful influence on today 's society. While rap music provides a voice to the voiceless not all rap music is positive. Rappers emphasize their reality, which was “replete with property, police brutality, drug abuse, educational inequality, high drop-out rates and violence…. A sense of powerlessness to change conditions grounded in complex social, political, and economic issues has led an artist to see ways to express their discontent. Rap music became a cathartic outlet” (Scott). Rap music promotes violence, degrades women, and has a high content on sex.

“Shootin' shit, Hittin' shit four, five extended clips, y'all be on that snitchin' shit and y’all know what snitches get, No limit shit.” “Real hoes get down on the flo' on the flo' /Real hoes get down on the flo' on the flo'/ like a pimp.” The Hip Hop revolution is expanding; and is channeled through video games, billboards, fashion and the language and lifestyle of young adults. Many youths are easily influenced during adolescence. Rap music is highly influential and can create negative impacts on the youth. Constant exposure to negative issues such as sex, drugs and violence can lead to undesirable behaviors. Thus, youths imitate these negative acts due to repeated portrayals by the media. This behavior is also portrayed through rap music, video games and, TV shows. The negative impact that Rap music influences in the Hip Hop culture is Ubiquitous.

Hip-Hop and rap became popular in Europe in the 1990's which happened due to reterritorialization, which is the process of adding new cultural practices to a new group, the music was transmitted to new communities and cultures where it becomes popular and these communities adjust this new practice to represent themselves and now this new practice can be integrated into the normal cultural practices of this culture. These different Eurpean contries use different style, including language, sound, promotional material, topic, and interests. Reterritorialization of rap songs retain their main function as social commentary, but what they disscuss is different in each country.

If you were to ask someone how music has changed their lives, most people would say they listen to music all the time. People listen to music at the gym, when they’re shopping, in the car almost everywhere. A lot will say that music is relatable, it’s a way of art, music has saved people’s lives. However, if you were to ask people about rap music specifically, they would probably say it’s violent, gory, or that they don’t like it. Did you know that since rap music became popular violent crimes have declined? The rap movement has a positive change in society because it exposes the hardships of discrimination. Rappers have been known to give back to communities, and most rappers send a positive message to the youth.

Most people think that it is only classical music that has a positive effect on society because of its soft tune and melody, but in fact rap music can have that same effect. The reason that some people think rap music leads to violence is because gang members can often be found listening to rap music, and they dress in the urban clothing style of rappers. The reality is that rap music is greatly misunderstood. The media often portrays rap music as negative and focuses on rap music more when it is related to something undesirable. Teenagers relate to rap music because it expresses some of the feelings they feel and encourages them to stand out. Although some lyrics can be provocative, rap music has the tendency to unite.

confronted racism. In “Zimbabwe” and “Africa Unite” he protests colonialism. Music therefore, does influence a person’s feelings, how they think, and what they perceive as social norms. Rap glorifies drugs, guns and violence thus teens may end up imitating what they see in videos. There have been some instances where rap has directly influenced criminal behavior. A state trooper was shot dead in Texas in 1992 by a car thief who had been listening to gangsta rap at the time of the incident. One of the songs on the album he had been listening to actually described a similar situation (Giovacchini, 1999). The question then arises, is rap the only factor that causes such behavior? Rap cannot be identified as the single source of antisocial behavior. A number of other factors including, gangs, drugs, and unemployment have to be present for such behavior to occur. If rap is considered to be reflecting poor social conditions, then it cannot be cited as the cause of those conditions.