The Effects of Rap and Rock Music on Society's Youths
Music is everywhere. It is listened to by the very young to the very old. All across this country and all over the world music is created, bought and sometimes even worshipped. To most it is a daily part of life.
There are many different genres of music which sometimes mingle to create yet another new one. Artists like Debbie Gibson and New Kids on the block to present time Mandy Moore and Kelly Clarkson are all from the genera of Pop music. Bubble gum lyrics and innocent gestures create a manifestation of positive values. For example Debbie Gibson was a teenager with fun and innocent lyrics. Mandy Moore’s song “Candy” was just as sweet as the title and did not have vulgar lyrics. Country music also seems to show positive vibes. Faith Hill and the Dixie chicks are artists of this genera and neither use vulgarity in their music. Rap/ Hip-Hop and Rock-n-Roll are yet more examples of main stream music genres. Rap music and Hip Hop music has the distinct sound of the turn-tables that creates a beat that you can bop your head to. Most mainstream artists such as Snoop Dogg and Lil Kim have explicit lyrics and seem to illustrate negative values. Rock music have the distinct sound of the electric guitar and creates an energetic rhythm that makes you want to stomp your feet and bang your head. Many rock artists such as Marylin Manson and Kiss like to boast a “bad-to-the-bone” persona and dress in such a way to show it. Their lyrics are sometimes also very explicit and depressing conveying negative values.
There are other genres of music that are not as popular as the previously mentioned. These genres are only identified by specific groups. For example Reggae music is best known and listens to by people from the Caribbean where such music originally came from. Artists like Sean Paul , UB40 and Beenie Man are very popular among West Indian countries and people from there. Classical music is instrumental and artists such as Beethoven and Tchaikovsky use the piano to create music that thrills or sooths the soul. There is also Gospel music which only gets attention from some church goers and large religious groups. Gospel music though is not only found in church choirs, artists like Mary –Mary Yolanda Adams and God’s Property all has albums that promote the word of the lord.
Many believe that music is therapeutic and a great source of entertainment. Classical music is indeed a source of therapy and entertainment. Its instrumental rhythm can leave one either relaxed with yielding notes or thrilled with vibrant beats. Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony has upbeat notes that entertain all those who appreciate this genus of music. Gospel music is also therapeutic to many. Many look to this type of music when they feel as if they hit rock bottom and need guidance. The uplifting, hopeful and positives words ease their fears and worries. Pop music and Reggae music are also types that are very entertaining. These types of music mostly have upbeat rhythms that make people who listen to it want to dance. Dancing is a form of entertainment therefore Pop and Reggae music is entertaining.
Still along with the good also comes the bad and certain music emulate factors that create a bad influence and a huge impact. Two genres of music that gets a lot of attention for its influence on society are Rock-n-roll and Rap.The majority of today’s Rap culture involves a lot of explicit material and negativities. The first example of this is seen in the way they use sex. In many rap videos there are always model type women who parade around in at times very revealing clothes. From short-shorts to bra tops to being topless, they have it all. When young girls see these women who are beautiful and get attention from those young and sometimes handsome artists they feel that they must be or want to be the same way. Mystical’s video for “Shake ya A**” contains a horde of women in shorts that reveal most of their butts along with tops that make their breasts burst out . That is a straight forward message.
Another example of harmful influence is the way they endorse alcohol. A popular alcohol among many rappers is Crystal. It is very expensive champagne and artists like Jay-Z show a fridge full of bottles of Crystal. Another Alcoholic beverage that is very popular in Rap culture is Hypnotic. A lot of rappers use it in their lyrics and videos. Many have a club scene in their videos showing people sipping on these drinks. Perhaps this is why underage drinking is such a big problem.
Marijuana is another bad component of most rappers. They sing about smoking a “joint” and dealing it. One of the biggest promoters of Marijuana is the artists Snoop Dogg. In the video “Next Episode” with Dr Dre there was a scene where he was smoking a joint. You actually saw smoke coming out from his mouth.A lot of young people see this and think it’s cool since they think he is cool. Lastly a lot of rap music has vulgar lyrics that include detailed references to sex acts and curses.
Rock music is entirely different but still has a lot of negative influences as well. Drugs and Rock-n- Roll has always been known to go together. Although Rock musicians are not as indiscreet about their usage many people know that many artists use , especially in the earlier days of rock such with bands like Kiss and Aero smith . Unlike Rap artists who seem to be known for their use of Marijuana, Rock artists are known for their use of Cocaine. Many band s lost members to drugs and it was made public so many youngsters see this. Another example of negative influences established in some rock music is devil worship. This example can clearly be seen by the actions and lyrics of Marylin Manson. He at times proclaim himself to be the anti- Christ and constantly jeers Christianity , especially the Catholic church branch . His videos have very gruesome images some youngsters believe is cool. Marylin Manson is seen to many an s a rebel and a lot of teenagers get influenced by him and his music because they too want to be rebels.
Rap and Rock are two very different genres of music but both have negative influences on society’s youths. These young people ‘breathe’ and ‘eat’ television and absorb everything they see like a sponge. Both genres contain a certain sort of vulgar ness and crudeness that can influence young minds.
Rap music is that almost 98.9 percent of all prominent rap artists are African Americans. They are no Caucasians rap artists with the exception of Eminem.This fact has led many to view rap music as a “black thing “or “black music.” Rap music is also considered by most to express violence and criminal behavior. When some think about rap music they think of violent actions, convicts, drugs, and “hoes” and gang bangers. Since rap is more listened to and preformed by African Americans there is this connection that individuals make. So some may believe that blacks are associated to these sorts of things or are the culprits of crime. This makes a lot of people think that many who listen to rap music are black gangsters and promiscuous.
Rap lyrics and videos indeed have a trend of vulgar ness. In videos sexuality is strong with half naked women all over the set. Some lyrics also plainly or indirectly talk about sexual practices as if they were the norm and create a desire for its listeners to do this also.
This is an excerpt from the rap artist “LiL Kim” and example of the sort of sexual lyrics found in some rap music. This piece alone makes references to porn stars and oral sex. Then she ends it off with “yah , yazz what” which show that she doesn’t care and that doing those things only makes her even more “ bad-to-the-bone”. Many young people feel as if they have to be defiant and so maybe this attitude makes them feel like doing that would also make them “bad-to-the-bone”.
Nothing left to do, but buy some shells for my glock
Why? So I can rob every known dope spot
I got 19 dollars and 50 cents up in my pocket with what
With this automatic rocket
Gotta have it to pop it, unlock it, and take me up a hostage
(BBC NEWS/UK: Violent Rap Lyrics)
These lyrics may not be telling youngsters to go out and be like them but it has a big impact because of the artists’ social and economical status. Most of these artists are wealthy and revered as being tough and that they got there through struggle. That would make these young people feel as if they can relate and even think that that is the way to go in order to be successful or to escape their life.
Rock music is played by, listened to and preformed mostly by Caucasians. The only prominent African American rock musician is Lenny Kravitz. This statically fact leads many to believe that rock music is a “white thing or music.” Many believe that rock music expresses sadness, depression, suicide, hatred and violence to life and family members. Marilyn Manson is one artist that is constantly associated with these factors because of his obscene lyrics and videos. These factors makes a lot of people think that many who listen to rock are white and often are either depressed or angry.
There are two major incidents where youngsters have been in trouble with the law and their crimes were associated with rock music. The first was the murder case of 16 year old, Barry loukaitis. He shot his algebra teacher and two classmates in his junior high school in Moses Lake. It was alleged that he was driven to kill by watching the “Jeremy” video by the rock band Pearl Jam. This video displayed the story of a youth who was troubled and then driven over the edge by his parents and peers. “Jeremy” went into a classroom shooting spree after being taunted by his peers and ignored by his parents. “During the trial Loukaitis' mother testified that she had once told her son she wanted to commit suicide in front of her estranged husband.” (MTV News.com)
This was a statement found in the article of this story published on MTV News .com. The fact that Loukaitis tried to commit suicide showed that he was obviously depressed and hated life, even perhaps his father because of the fact that they were on bad terms. It was stated that this video reflected Loukaitis’ life perfectly. Loukaitis could have related with “Jeremy” in Pearl Jam’s video and therefore felt that the only way out was to does something over the edge just like “Jeremy.” All of those emotions are found in many themes and lyrics of Rock music and shows how it has influenced the listeners, which are the youths.
The other major incident which lead to the ideal that Rock music had negative effects on youths is the Columbine Massacre. It is among the nation’s worst school shootings. In this case 12 teachers and students were dead and 21 were injured. It was one of the most controversial and talked about school shooting in history. It affected a lot of people and greatly impacted society.
Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were the two students who went on a shooting rampage. They planned to kill 488 people a kept a book of 67 name of students that they did not like and the reasons. They were students that got tormented by their peers. The fact that they kept a book with a list of names shows that they hated life and others.
Marylin Manson’s music was blamed for influencing this event. Some journalists say that they had on make up like Marylin Manson and wore black , this was incorrect but not far from the truth . These two sick individuals were fans of the Rock group Rammstein, there were just as crude as Marylin Manson work. This sort of music was unpopular in Middle America. Songs do not directly tell an individual to go out and do the things that they talk about but then some persons have weaker minds and thus are influenced or affected by what they hear and see.
You
You hate
You hate me
You hate me to say
You hate me to say
And I did not obey
Will you until death does sever
Be upright to her forever
(www.azlyrics.com )
This is a sample of one of the group Rammstien lyrics. It seems hateful and sad; it is certainly no happy piece. Again this does not tell an individual to hate any one or any thing but it could provoke ideals of hate because of its rough nature.
Rap and Rock music is very popular and has negative influences on society’s youth. It reaches many people all across the world. Through words and images these two genres of music promote a range of distaste full things such as drugs, promiscuity and violence, that youngsters learn and eventually do. It is obvious that Rap and Rock music in so way was linked to many of the behavior pattern of the “Jeremy” murder case and the study on the sexual pattern of females and thus influencing notorious events and actions made by youths.
.A lot of young people see this and think it’s cool since they think he is cool. Lastly a lot of rap music has vulgar lyrics that include detailed references to sex acts and curses.
.This fact has led many to view rap music as a “black thing “or “black music.” Rap music is also considered by most to express violence and criminal behavior. When some think about rap music they think of violent actions, convicts, drugs, and “hoes” and gang bangers. Since rap is more listened to and preformed by African Americans there is this connection that individuals make. So some may believe that blacks are associated to these sorts of things or are the culprits of crime. This makes a lot of people think that many who listen to rap music are black gangsters and promiscuous.
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