Source: The Guardian
Earlier this month, the rapper Bobby Shmurda was arrested in New York, and prosecutors (lawyers) wanted the lyrics of his rap music to be introduced into evidence, although the courts just ruled that this won't be allowed. In these cases and others, the prosecution assumes (as many people do) that the rap music in question is sincere – a literal communication or direct reflection of biography. (This means that some people thing that rap artists are doing everything they talk about in their songs.) But the popular perception that rap songs are non-fictional, first-person, straightforward accountings of the actions of their mostly-black performers is not only an erasure of the artistry and complexity of the art form (with its roots in the erasure of black people’s artistry and intellectual complexity). It’s now also being used to actually criminalize artists. (This means that we should not assume that these artists are doing everything they talk about. When we believe this, we are making them look like criminals even though many of them are not. Rap is a musical art form – not sentences simply set to a backing track. Rappers, like poets and other musicians, choose words for their sound, as part of rhythmic schemes, to hit syllabic counts, for assonance, alliteration or consonance, and any of a number of other reasons beyond just dictionary definitions. Some also use those words with other layers of voice or looped tracks – even contradictory ones or humorous ones. But rappers, like any other musical artist, are often playing characters, either in their music or their performances or both – deliberately blurring the lines between the first-person protagonists of their songs and their real identities. We don’t accord rap music, for the most part, the same respect – and that disrespect has a lot to do with who is usually up there performing it. But the First Amendment doesn’t play favorites, and neither should the courts. (The First Amendment is the right to free speech) Music's Influence on Society
Hip-Hop as a CultureHip Hop has had an overwhelming influence on the black community in America, as well as society as a whole. Hip Hop is more than music, Hip Hop is a culture. Over the past three decades, Hip Hop has influenced and uplifted America, speaking up for generations and providing a voice to a group of people trying to deliver a message. Opponents of the Hip Hop culture argue that the music is aggressive in nature and promotes social rebellion- however provocative lyrics do not negate the fact that Hip Hop is a vocal outlet for many people in America. Hip Hop has provided a platform for MCs and rappers to express their opinions about society, the government and the treatment of African Americans in America for decades. This outlet is crucial for the uplifting of the black community and would benefit society entirely if people opposed to Hip Hop tried to embrace the culture rather than attack the culture. Rap music has long had a reputation of being a form of music that represents violence as well as celebrating street warfare and gangs, consumption of drugs and alcohol, and negative attitudes towards women. Another notion prevalent in society associated with rap music is the frequent, strong profanity used in the lyrics. Despite all this, hip hop has generated a huge fan base around the world with a wide demographic of listeners, mostly among youths. This raises the question, whether the negativity commonly linked with rap music is not just one side of the coin. Some aspects of the mentioned themes are true and contribute to the negative stereotype but there is another, hidden side to rap music that needs to be exposed. Although it has been seen as largely negative, hip hop has had a myriad of positive influences on society. The genre has been criticized in the media, associated with some of the nation’s social ills and seen by a good number of people as a bad influence on citizens in general. Although there are some aspects of rap music that can be construed as negative, blanketing the entire art form is unfair to the artists as well as the people who enjoy the music.
Livestrong
Rap music features lyrics filled with slang and often peppered with profanity, which has caused concern among parents, educators and activists alike. Rap videos can also illustrate glamorous and dangerous fantasies. But rap music is a diverse genre, used to express a wide variety of realities and aspirations. Even if your teenager imitates the fashions and language used by rap artists, this may not always indicate a significant change in your teen's values or goals. Why Does Rap Music Appeal to Teens? Rap lyrics are emotionally intense and often spin a rags-to-riches tale. According to Michael Delpleache of Hip Hop Gives Back, a youth empowerment organization, teens are drawn to the fantasies of wealth, and glamour in rap videos. For teens in poor communities, rap lyrics speak to their current reality and their fantasies of escape. And like all forms of music, rap offers a creative outlet and a way to connect with peers. Does Rap Cause Violence in Teens? Rap lyrics may discuss violence as a part of an exciting and dangerous lifestyle, but some songs condemn violence and even propose solutions. Research done at Western Connecticut State University found that those who listen to music with violent lyrics are more likely to be violent. Rap was born in poor urban communities where violence may be poorly controlled, but social and economic factors can play a much greater role in the prevalence of violence. Can Rap Encourage Positive Behavior in Teens? Using a teen's interest in rap to help them develop critical thinking skills is the aim of the 1hood Media Academy, founded by Jasiri X. At 1hood, kids learn to critique tropes found in rap lyrics and videos, and learn about the exploitative practices of music labels. Your teen's interest in rap isn't the end of your hopes for his successful adulthood. It's an invitation for you to help them develop greater awareness of adult issues. See the following link for a list of transition words and phrases. Make sure the one you choose MAKES SENSE in your essay!! It will not help your score if you put in random words and phrases that do not make any sense.
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