Info about Rap Music
Evaluating the Implications of Rap Music on Modern Society
Understanding the cultural implications of rap music has been a challenge. “Obviously rap music is too violent. It serves as a musical accompaniment to the entire underclass culture of violence,” states David Klinghoffer, the author of “See No Evil,” in an article published in the National Review. Many view this thinking as a narrow-minded and, at times, even ignorant. Considering that there are millions of buyers in the rap music market, it is clear that the art is also a black cultural expression, as Patricia Rose believes. Rap music places emphasis on black voices being heard in urban America, and the exact purpose deals primarily with storytelling. One ought to realize that the music itself is not violent and that most of the lyrics contain a hidden meaning. Gangsta rap is usually the recount, or even a brief biography, of the life that the rapper experienced while growing up. Therefore, condemning against this type of music, which is a common practice among many politicians, is certainly unjustified.
S.H. Fernando believes that rap is a mixture of complicated social, cultural, and political ideologies in modern American society. The type of music originated in some of the most underprivileged ghettos and has made its way to mainstream America. Though there are various opinions and feelings expressed through rap songs, the ultimate result is a recount of the daily life struggles that the artist faced while growing up. The misfortunes and racial prejudice are said to be the primary cause for the evolution of this style of music. Though the picture that the stories paints is usually ugly, most of the time it is not far from the truth.
At the same time, it is sad that the youth of today does not understand the true meaning of the music but rather becoming awed with the frequent use of inappropriate terminology. Some of the more notable rappers that appeal to the younger crowd include Snoop Doggy Dogg and DMX. These rappers use catchy phrases such as “keep it real” to attempt to gain the young audience’s attention. While the rapper is not trying to fabricate his (or her) message, the comprehension capabilities of young children prevent them from grasping the underlying message. These messages include the hardships involved with unemployment, gang ties, unlawful treatment from the police force, and an undesirable life at home.
Rose also brings forth the discussion the rise of rappers in commercial America. It is no secret that rappers are more likely to be subject to censorship when compared to white rock artists. Fernando states that there are exceptions, as certain black celebrities, such as Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor, and Eddie Murphy, have all appealed to a white audience. Ultimately, it boils down to the type of crowd that rappers are attempting to relate to. Since young blacks typically have racial integration problems with young whites, it is common that a white audience does not find any joy hearing the hardships of a black man in a lyrical format. Basically, rap is not something that everyone can understand to appreciate, though it should still be recognized as an art form.
As far as the explicit language is concerned that encompasses the rap genre, the female rapper, Boss, believes the following: “Whoever said that rappers had to teach something or set an example, you know what I’m sayin? It’s entertainment, you don’t hear people telling Luther Vandross to sing about AIDS or some shit like that, you what I’m saying? They need to figure out AIDS or some shit like that instead of why rappers curse. They be worrying about the wrong shit. To me, it’s entertainment.”
Ultimately, there are three different types of rap that emphasize particular hardships. Some rap discusses particular life difficulties including mistreatment from the police and racial inferiority. On the other hand, there is a different message sent by certain artists, such as east coast rappers Nas and Notorius BIG. These rappers focus on everyday black life and how the constant struggles promote illegal activity. This illegal activity, whether it is stealing or drug dealing, comes with a sense of paranoia and betrayal, according to Jon Pareles of the New York Times. One of the most popular rappers from Gary, Indiana, Atterick Burks, states, “I rap about metaphoric violence, not brutal violence.” One rap fan from Valparasio University, Geentra King, believes, “Just because a rapper says he has done something does not mean that I would do it. I have many friends and relatives that listen to rap music and it has caused none of us to become violent in any way.”
Newsweek’s John Leland encourages the idea that “rappers should be success stories. They are young men, usually of humble beginnings, who through sheer talent and hard work rose to the mansion on the hill. These are complex and creative individuals.” However, this is not always applicable to some of the more popular artists. Tupac Shakur died several years ago for what many to believe was related to being involved in the rap industry itself. C. Delores Tucker, an anti-rap activist, stated, “Mr. Shakur always talks about violence and now it has come back to him.” Though this may have been the case, Tupac did have many positive messages in his lyrics. One of his titles, named “Keep Ya Head Up,” promoted optimism related to teen pregnancy and suicide. It was specifically targeted towards black women, and it mentions the honor and respect that they deserve. In contrast to the above notion, supporters of Tupac do not feel that his lyrics played any type of role in his death and that the murderers were merely jealous of his success. Tupac even stated on one occasion, “Yes, that’s what I want to do. I want to move people. I want to heal them, but I’m still just tryin to silence the demonds inside me”
Calvin Broadus, more popularly known as Snoop Doggy Dogg, was accused of murder. Though he did not actually pull the trigger, his body guard clearly took part in the violent activity. His trial involved harsh criticism and he faced the negative perceptions that people had developed about him since he was involved in the gangsta rap industry. In one Rolling Stone interview, Snoop’s attorney David Kenner stated, “Snoop was perceived negatively, and we had to dispel that inaccurate opinion.” To support this argument, critics have failed to realize that rap is a profession and that these artists are simply looking to earn a living.
It would be ignorant to believe that rappers do not hear the gossip and badmouthing that flows through the media. “People think that I like being notorious, this shit ain’t cool. It’s not what I’m about anymore. This is nothing cool, nothing fun, nothing to laugh about. This is stressful.” Not surprisingly, the media has always focused negatively on rappers and their harmful impact on society. What rap advocates have stated is that rappers are humans too; they have feelings, beliefs, thought, and intentions, which usually are for the good. “I am a product of a society that openly tells me that my life ain’t worth anything. In any other country with any other skin color I would have been a great lawyer. I would be Tom Cruise in “The Firm.” But in America with black skin, I’m just Tupac the cop-killer dude. You know, I’m a revolutionary. I’m straight thuggin’ out here. Thuggin’ against society, thuggin’ against the system that made me.” One of Tupac’s upcoming works, prior to his murder, was entitled “One Nation.” It was supposed to be a work that called all black rappers to unite together and show that they were not looking to promote any negativity in society.
Leland states that it is not appropriate to blame modern violence on rap music. The problem of violence extends much further than rap music. Rappers typically come from poor, low-income communities across the nation. This issue alone may be worth addressing as opposed to the music that these artists are producing.
A 1995 issue in the Journal of Black Studies stated that the main cause of violence was social shame. People who are viewed as inferior had to find a way to equalize with society, thus leading to violent behavior. This realization may be the exact reason that violence is more common in poor black communities. Since most black artists experienced inferiority at some point in their lives, it comes as no surprise that violence is a central theme of some of their works.
James Gilligan M.D. believes that there are four primary determinants of violence: you, maleness, and blackness, and poverty. Ironically, these descriptions fit almost all artists who have chosen to convey their life stories through rap. To these rappers, their lyrics are normal and represent what they have experienced. In contrast, the general public feels that it is inappropriate, absurd, and intolerable. What’s unfortunate is that typical Americans do not appreciate the struggles that some of these rappers have gone through and how they have chosen a particular art form to express their views which has earned them success.
In short, rap music is a form of art that allows musicians to express their beliefs in a catchy tune. Many fail to put into perspective that we live in a violent society. Therefore, rap has become a byproduct of this violence rather than a cause of it. Rap alone should not serve as the trigger to partake in violent activity, no matter if it is the artist or the listener. More people need to understand the true purpose of most rap music, which is to convey a life story through rhythmic lyrics. Rather than being the cause of modern violence, rap should be viewed as a communication medium. Many anti-rap activists today, such as politicians, ought to realize the influence of rap artists and the struggles that they have undergone. By doing so, activists could probably find a new medium to reach the general public.