What is the message being conveyed in rap music?
The messages being conveyed through a controversial genre of music such as rap are explicit and detrimental from a social standpoint. The music genre rap is derived from hip-hop. The music rap developed rapidly in America and during this process the lyrics were considered highly controversial. Just recently resarch concludes according to the author Paul Butler “hip-hop (rap) already has had a significant social impact and it is the second best-selling genre of music in the United States” (Butler 2). The messages are displayed through the content of the lyrics and visual settings such as music videos and promotion purposes. This particular genre of music called rap has several different negative factor associated with it in a variety of ways. The music is “bold, rebellious, often profane, the music has multicultural detractors as well as fans” (Butler 5). This expression of music can have a negative influence on society considering the music has a major social impact on certain cultures and individuals. However many individuals are prepared to defend this particular style of music due to the financial aspect and recognition that comes with it. Artists and music labels benefit the most from rap music.
According to Rachel Sullivan “rap and hip-hop emerged in the 1970’s” (Sullivan 2). As the years and decades past these music styles became widely recognized and accepted in the mainstream areas of America. There are many artists and companies that emerged in this style of music due largely to the financial aspects of the industry. Music is viewed as a social expression. The social expressions in rap demonstrate social insolence like: violence, hatred, explicit language, criminal activity and the exploitation of women. The authors Terri Adams and Douglas Fuller state the characterization towards women are very disrespectful and demeaning. For example they write “in this genre of rap music women are reduced to mere objects” (Adams & Douglass 4). Women are described in a negative way in rap music. It is common for rap music to contain derogatory terms and phrases towards women. This genre of music is degrading towards women.
There is an obvious trend in this form of music which is explicit and detrimental in regards to social expression. For instance “there seems to be a definite trend among some rap artists where misogynistic themes are used in a variety of forms, from mild innuendoes to extreme and excessively blatant defamations” (Adams & Douglass 5). The two authors state there is a pattern occurring in some artists in the rap industry that conveys over the top socially explicit lyrics and terms targeting women. There are many events of inappropriate behavior and explicit terms that are being displayed in this form of music. Certain styles of rap music seem contrary to common morals and the well being of social goals. I am not stating that all rap music promotes these negative connotations but I am making the audience aware of the negative aspects associated with the music.
It is evident that the this particular genre of music has the capabilities of creating a financial profit despite some of the negative aspects associated with the genre that is the main reason why certain individuals defend the music. Certain rap artists may at times perpetuate lyrics out of context to live up to certain images and also to gain recognition to boost record sales. Not all the lyrics may be true in certain rap songs due to certain graphic and explicit lyrics but it is a technique that works to gain profitable record sales. Research confirms the “lyrics are highly controversial and offensive” (Adams & Douglass 13). Despite the controversy behind the lyrics music companies and artists are not concerned about this issue as long as they gain a financial profit. Offensive lyrics and defamatory statements is a concern that needs to be addressed in rap music. Many individuals overlook the negative aspects of the music due simply to financial gain and perhaps social acceptance.
Considering that the music is widely noticed and accepted it is important to realize the negative impact it may have on individuals that listen to it. For example “although this genre of music has been embraced by a wide variety of consumers, it is important to emphasize that it can have negative effects on young people who in general tend to be the primary consumers of rap music” (Adams & Douglass 15). Society and responsible individuals should challenge this kind of music and address the negative associations. We need to keep in mind the negative effects of this music and look beyond the financial gain and social acceptance. Although music is a form of expression there are positive ways to express ideas and thoughts.
I have implemented three images to support my essay. Notice the significance of the images. Each image represents a certain category. For example the first image represents the reason why music companies distribute rap music. The second image represents a negative aspect of rap music. The third image demonstrates that many individuals listen to rap despite the negative associations.
Work Cited
Sullivan, Rachel. “Rap and Race: It's Got a Nice Beat, but What about the Message?” Journal of Black Studies. 605-622. 25 November 2010. < http://www.jstor.org/stable/3180978>
Adams, Terri and Fuller, Douglas. “The Words Have Changed But the Ideology Remains the Same: Misogynistic Lyrics in Rap Music.” Journal of Black Studies. 938-957. 25 November2010. < http://www.jstor.org/stable/40034353>
Mcleod, Kembrew. “Authenticity within hip-hop and other cultures threatened with assimilation.” International communication association. 1-17. 25 November 2010. <www.googlescholar.org>
Butler, Paul. “Much Respect: Toward a Hip-Hop Theory of Punishment.” Stanford Law Review. 1-35. 25 November 2010. < http://www.jstor.org/stable/40040171>
N/A. Hip-hop chart. N/A. 11/29/10. <www.google.com>
N/A. Money. N/A. 11/29/10. <www.google.com>
N/A. Parental Advisory. N/A. 11/29/10 <www.google.com>
