Rap Music: Positive Or Negative?

Submitted By 93freshprince
Words: 1601
Pages: 7
Open Document
Rap Music: Positive or Negative?
Demon Canada
The Art Institute of Michigan
GEN095
September 12, 2012
Dr. Erik Bean

Music has a way of dividing generations, but when rap music was introduced it did more then divide generations it broke all ties between parents and children. Hip hop music also called rap music is a genre of music consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted. There are different styles with in rap music For example, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg are all from California, hence they West Coast Rappers. Then again Busta Rhymes, Notorious B.I.G., and Jay-Z are all known East Coast rappers. Most of them could also be categorized as Hardcore or Gangsta Rappers. While many rappers are acknowledged for at least one style, what helps verify which rap styles they fit into is made most clear by glancing into the overall history of their music styles. Most rap music is considered negative because of the hardcore and gangster rap that some rappers choose for their styles of rap music.
Most people look at hardcore gangster rap as promoting negativity of drug use sex and violence that go in everyday America all around the world, but not all rappers are all hardcore gangster rappers some rappers are considered conscious rappers, party rappers. Conscious rappers are considered positive, uplifting rappers; often rhyme over smooth, ear-grabbing beats. A party rapper is a rapper that rap about crazy situations that often go on at party like getting drunk and having a wild night and not remembering the next day. One of the biggest reasons that people say rap music is negative because of degrading lyrics about women. Rap music videos and it is blatantly obvious that women are ‘used’ for the mere delight of the male rapper and his friends Put simply, it is painfully clear that women are mere sex objects; and this is predominately true of gangsta rap music videos. rap music videos features barely dressed women gyrating their back sides up against the males’ groin area while the rapper is spitting (rapping) the b-word.

Despite the previous arguments a lot of people say that hip hop can have a positive effect on the community, Rap music was created in the 1970s in the Bronx. DJ Kool Herc is recognized as the "godfather" of hip-hop and rap music--creating a new artistic form of expression in music. Contrary to the orthodox images often associated with rap music such as sex, drugs, violence and money, there are artists who donate lyrically in a postive manner: Afrikabambata, Grandmaster Flash, Common, Nas and Mos-def are just a few whose lyrical content encourages pride and social-awareness. Early rappers "battled" one another with words, not guns. Rivalries between groups like the Sugar Hill Gang and the Furious Five were playful and included recording songs together, full of boasts. Rap music can have positive effects on political and community alertness. Artists like Public Enemy, Mos Def, and the Roots have continued a custom of inquiring urban public policy and politics through rap lyrics.
Rap continues to help young urban males to express feelings. Professor Murray Forman, a media studies professor, says that rap has a positive influence by helping young blacks to detail cultural perspectives. When rap music gained mainstream popularity in the 1990s, a common trend portrayed by all rappers was baggy clothing. Rap artists such as Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre wore baggy pants and oversized shirts. It was also common for artists to sag their pants, meaning they were worn loosely around the waist. This trend continues today with artists like Eminem and Jay Z. It's also not lost on fans of the music, which according to "From the Fringe: The Hip Hop Culture and Ethnic Relations," primarily consists of people from 12 to 22 years old, Another way rap music effects teen consumers is in jewelry. Artists frequently wear platinum jewelry and diamonds
Show More

Related Documents: Rap Music: Positive Or Negative?

Essay on Hip Hop Music

Hip-Hop Music Then and Now Hip-hop is defined such as the urban youth culture associated with rap music and the fashions of African-American residents of the inner city. In my opinion this definition is ever so slightly outdated. Perhaps back in the late 80’s and early 90’s this would be an appropriate definition, but today, I think hip-hop is defined as something far more modern and different. Today, it is 2013, hip-hop is no longer an underground genre that is only associated with African…

Words 422 - Pages 2

Hip Hop Music Analysis

was portraying German Expressionism, I tried to create eerie music that would give the audience and uncomfortable feeling. As I was the sole sound editor there was not much discussion that took place; however, I sent samples of my music to my group members so that I could get feedback on it. This feedback helped me make better…

Words 900 - Pages 4

Essay Hip Hop Music and Music Technology

Dance Music and Music Technology Developments in music technology Without the advances in music technology over the last 20 years, it would not have been possible to produce much of the dance music we know today, as most of it relies upon the use of variations types of technology. Types of music technology * MIDI – Musical Instrument Digital Interface * Synthesiser – digital instrument sounds eg. Keyboards, strings * Remix / Sampling – extracts taken from already existing reacording…

Words 379 - Pages 2

The Credibility Of Hip Hop Music For Teenagers

The term hip hop immediately projects the thought into one’s mind that it’s a type of music which is intended for a teenage audience. Hip hop music is intended for a young audience since its two attributes hip hop music has is the cause why it’s adored. Initially hip hop music has vulgar ideas and language within it as a quality. Vulgar music is intended to a particular audience which is for teenagers since in current times teenagers adore violence. The subsequent feature hip hop music consist is…

Words 155 - Pages 1

Hip Hop And Country Music Essay

Music comes with much excitement. It has been around for hundreds of years. It comes in a variety of genres that each has its own flow. Music is an important asset in many lives. Although there are different types of music, the music that appeals to me the most is Rap, R&B, Hip-Hop, and Country. Rap is an extremely interesting genre of music. It can tell multiple stories and can tell a person all about the artist's life. Rap also can produce beats that could go great with the song or not so great…

Words 540 - Pages 3

Comparison Of Rap And Hip Hop Music

How we use rap music to express ourselves . Rap and hip hop music is a form of musical art to express your way through how you feel about situations that aren't fair. Rap tells stories in forms of music in a new way a music artist can tell it. The rapper Eazy E, made a song about riding in a 64 thus the song ¨cruisin in my 64¨: basically he was talking about him enjoying the day with his car ´´cruisin in the street in my 64, jockin the B´s, slappin the H´s, went to the park to get the scoop, knuckleheads…

Words 205 - Pages 1

Music: Hip Hop Music and Music Essay

The vast variety of music spanning over generations makes it unreasonable to make a decision on which is better. That is like asking a parent which is their favorite child, it is to difficult to do so. There has been a war between the new and old school styles of music that may never be settled. To pick a side of this war is asinine because of the similarities and the way newer artist are sampling older music , plus its easier nowadays to get your music heard, and the fact that some of the great…

Words 512 - Pages 3

Hip Hop Music Essay example

Most people think that Hip Hop or Rap music is full of violent and drug related lyrics, while most of it is tom e hip hop is not bad it is a form expression and a way to vent your feelings in a way that most people can relate to. Hip hop is a form of poetry that allows people who have had rough lives can tell their stories about the talent that they have obtained through music to the people that may be living their lives similar or the exact same way. Hip Hop to me is a culture a background to the…

Words 1019 - Pages 5

Hip Hop Vs Rap Music

The origins of hip-hop and rap began over 300 years ago, when the enslavement of Africans began in America. The first African slaves were brought to the United States in 1619, throwing a culture into the pit of sadness, hardship, and struggle. Instruments were banned or unaffordable, which gave the use of song as a way to express. Through singing, messages could be passed on to others while in the field, railway, docks, chain gang and all other areas the Africans were forced to suffer. In a slave’s…

Words 1668 - Pages 7

High Masculinity In Hip Hop Music

Hip Hop music is full of discrimination by men against women and homosexuals. It is full of objectifying phrases that belittle women and demonstrates how masculine the rapper is. Masculinity is associated with higher overall status and competence (324). If a rapper demonstrates how masculine he is then he proves his high rank or social standing. Men are expected to act masculine and not feminine. (338) It is not manly to show interest in a relationship especially if it is a homosexual one. There…

Words 236 - Pages 1