The Problem

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/386184/the_influence_of_rap_music_upon_youth.html?cat=9

Sone of the people in today's society have a problem with rap music and the message that it sends to people.  The majority of raps are about people's struggles, sufferings, and "street" experiences.  Rap music is also notoriously known for using profanity as a part of the lyrics.  The critics of rap today are mostly from the older generations.  Today's youth has embraced rap music, and really helped rap become one of the most popular genres.

Moreover, the critics of rap music today focus more on what the music portrays to people.  Many say that by rapping about violence, sex, drugs, ect. rappers are promoting this type of bad behavior.  People are worried that children will get the wrong idea and start commiting violent crimes, or engaging in inappropriate behaviors.  People are also concerned with the way that rap music portrays women.  Many say that rap music portrays women as bitches and hoes, but what about Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats," and many of Taylor Swift's hits?  All of these songs degrade men, so why isn't anyone complaining about this?

Unsupervised children that are being exposed to rap music and rap videos are the main concern for critics.  People are concerned that these rappers are promoting gangs, violence, drugs and sex.  They say that rappers are not good role models for children and that the rap culture convinces kids to stay out of school and try to make it big in the rap industry.  However, many rappers today like Jay-Z, Diddy, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, are not failures that just dropped out of school to rap.  These rappers and many others have become very successful business men by creating clothing lines, headphones, drinks, and even starting their own record company.

Rappers can serve as a sense of hope for the poor child in a dysfunctional family.  Most of the rappers today have been able to escape the harsh atmosphere of the ghetto, and live productive lives.  Yes, some of the songs are very explicit, but the majoity of this music is not promoting bad behavior, it is explaining real life experiences and hardships.

The Reverend vs. O'Reilly

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,97471,00.html

Joseph Simmons, the lead singer in the famous rap group Run-DMC appeared on Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor in 2003 and spoke in an interview about rap in America. Host Bill O'Reilly went straight into saying how Run-DMC was nothing like todays rappers, but Mr. Simmons, also known as Rev Run, cut him off explaining how the older generation is always mad at the new generation because they are use to things being done a certain way.  Back then, people were against Run-DMC, times have changed, and now today's rappers are frowned upon while Run-DMC is known as a "clean" group.

Rev Run then goes on to explain how some words in rap are not suppose to be taken literally.  He explains this language as a new way of talking, and O'Reilly arugues that it is not alright for ten year-old children to go around calling ten year-old girls hoes and bitches. Rev Run then explains how these words were not created by rappers.  He says that rap is just a "refelction of the world as a whole."  Rev Run says that rap is showing America what it is really like in the ghetto, and O'reilly goes on to say how it is corrupting our children.  Rev Run then fires back saying don't blame it on rap.  We have the media to blame, the negative news, movies, and different events like 9/11 all hurting our youth more than rap.

The most important thing that we get out of this interview is that we get to see rap in a new perspective, Rev Run is a rapper and he really shows how rap is not to blame here when it comes to corrupting our youth.  He is giving America a new look on rap and explaining how there are other things in this world that are corrupting the youth, rap is just a small aspect of a larger world.  He also explains how rappers are expressing what they are going through in America.  I think what Rev Run is really trying to say is that by people critisizing rap, they are ignoring what is going on in the inner city ghettos.  They just simply don't want to hear it, and by rapping, it is the rappers' way of calling for help.

I think we can all assume through this interview that Rev Run is all for rap and it's culture, and Bill O'reilly is completely against it.  I sensed a lot of tension throughout the interview since everyone was cutting each other off.  Based on how Rev Run explained rap and its culture, i'm also assuming that he came from a poor family before he made it big in the rap industry.  O'Reilly on the otherhand, does not seem to see the perspective of poor inner city kids which is hindering his judgement on the situation.

All in all, in this interview, Bill O'reilly wants you to see rap as a negative thing while Rev Run wants you to see it as a positive thing or a form of art.  The arguement all centers around our youth and how the lyrics of these songs are affecting them.  They focus more on the poor inner city kids, and the children with no supervision.  Rev Run is known as a classic rapper, and by today's means he is a lyrically "clean" rapper, but through this interview the readers can see that he still sees today's rap a a positive thing, and a form of art/expression.

Is Hip-Hop/Rap Good for Society?

Thoughout the years, the Hip-Hop/Rap industy has had many critics.  People saying that the music is too vulgar, explicit, and inappropriate.  I have created this blog to discuss this topic.  Is hip-hop/rap music not good for our society?  Is it too vulgar or explicit?  Or is it just people expressing themselves and/or their true inner feelings to the world?  Is there more to rap than curses and rhymns? And is this music appropriate for our youth?  This blog is a place where we will discuss all of these issues.  This genre of music has had so much negative publicity, and we forget some of the good that comes with this type of music.  Someone needs to stand up to this criticism and this blog is the perfect place.

Thoughout this blog, I will discuss many of the good things that hip-hop/rap music brings to our society.  From the symbolism, rhetoric, expression, the release of inner emotion, and much more, this genre is not all bad.   I will also discuss some of the negative things that people are saying about this type of music.

My inspiration for this blog came from the media. The media portrays this music as bad, violent, and inappropriate for society.  It is time that someone sticks up for this genre of music that millions listen to on a daily basis.  I simply can't stand to hear my favorite genre get trashed by the media and this is why I became intrested in creating this blog.  I encourage you to comment and share your thoughts to me.  Add to what I am saying, or argue what I am saying, even simply email me some of your favorite hip-hop/rap songs from the past or present if you want.  This blog is a place where hip-hop/rap lovers and haters can unite and discuss what some people think is a problem, and what others think is inspirational.

About Me

Hey, I'm Mike, a college student with a passion for music.  I have been listening to hip-hop/rap music for over a decade now, and have heard everyone from the Sugarhill Gang to the new up and coming Wiz Khalifa.  I listen to this kind of music for relaxation, motivation,  to relate to my own life, and to get myself pumped up for my football and basketball games.  I have a passion for hip-hop/rap music, and think of it as a kind of art.  This blog was created in January of 2011 so that people can express how they feel about the hip-hop/rap industry.  Feel free to give me feedback on my blog at michaeltbrown789@gmail.com.  Comment and share you thoughts, and ideas as well.  I look forward to blogging with you.

Mike