... by her hair, smacked her up/Thinking fuck it, mug her while you"re there, jack her up..."(www.ohhla.com) Grammy award winner LL Cool J says that although he does not demean women in his music he can understand the rappers who do. He sais that the only power a lot ... , 4o percent of Black males in their 20's are under criminal supervision. "There is a natural inclination of young people to imitate what they perceive as cool" says Tucker (Waldron 1996). On the other hand Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who is a long time supporter of rap music feels that it is "foolhardy" ... the most freque...

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... problem of urban violence is much bigger than rap. Rappers such as Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre, who have been publicly criticized for their lyrics, grew up in the ghetto, and their words reflect what they have lived through. It is what is often referred to as the "realness" of ... the trigger, his bodyguard did. The shooting was ruled out of self defense. Snoop received lots of criticism from anti-rap activists and media relating his lyrics as a gangsta rapper to his trial. David Kenner, Snoop's attorney, said, "Snoop was perceived negatively, and we had to dispel that inaccurate op...

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... taught them about a whole other world that they could never conceive. Compton. With this came the movement of gangsta rap, with its hard-hitting lyrics, and truthful story telling. In the height of this period, it was evident that the white population bought into it. A statistic done in 1992 ... Rick Ruben, Def Jam CEO's, started a small independent record group. They helped represent some of New York's finest rappers and introduced such acts as LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, and Davy D. Now, Polygram owns 60 percent of Def Jam. Tommy Boy, another label that launched other Hip Hop...

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... to these songs sometimes seem so out of place, and yet so in sync that the words almost seem unneeded. Yet, they do not seem to disappear. Lyrics are disturbing people, and causing arguments left and right. They"re disturbing people because of the type of words that are being used to describe events or even ... go to waste. We can easily say that our society would be much healthier and less violent if we didn't have rap music. With artists like Eminem singing lyrics like "But I"m not like you I didn't slit her throat, I just tied her up and put her in the trunk, cause if she suffocates s...

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... Within the next twenty years, the world would soon be shaken by the explicit lyrics and beats that belonged to an arising genre called Rap. Groups like Run-DMC, MC Hammer, and LL Cool J were among the earlier pioneers of Rap. Rap, which began as a ... sound created by scratching records on a turntable, soon became a wave link for Negroes to voice their opinions about civil hardships and discrimination. However, their message often came across as explosively confrontational to those that did not understand their attitudes. Raps like NWA's "Gangsta Gangsta" with lyrics ... " - the only med...

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... thing than a female thing and it was not really particular to any race especially since Eminem came out. White males now have an image of cool that they can follow and be accepted among their black and Latino peers. While black males constitute a majority of mainstream hip-hop, race is not ... is that they are supposed to attract attention from males and be sexual objects because that is the role assigned to them in hip-hop culture. Song lyrics in mainstream hip-hop encourage acts of violence, boasts of greed, sex, and drug use. These topics speak of defying the law and parents, and ... ...

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... to gain momentum well into the 1980's, with the birth of such acts as, RUN-DMC, De La Soul, The Beastie Boys, Ice-T, and LL Cool J. RUN-DMC was among the first rap groups to climb the pop charts in a major way, they also were among the first to make incursions into ... as well as modern-day America. With a beat that rattles your bones, and the "in-your-face" lyrics, Rap music has countlessly been accused of contributing to the decay of modern society. Rap lyrics are often times about the problems and struggles rappers have encountered throughout the course of their life, such as ... the t...

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... fun, rewarding, and exciting. James Bond films are a good example of how violence is glamorized on the silver screen. Secret agent James Bond uses cool gadgets, cars and weapons in order to save the world. Not only does he blow up buildings and crash vehicles, but he is equipped with a ... , personifying everything a "real man" should be. This role model commits countless violent acts, and treats women as objects, yet he is considered "the ultimate cool" (not including Miles Davis). In another movie, Romeo Must Die, the only way the hero can avenge the death of his brother is to kill the...

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... their children engage in such mayhem. As the news channels made it a point to say that the show was a rap concert, full of hate lyrics and violence, many parents pondered if the music was to blame. () Did music really have the power to make normally rational beings do something like ... 's no wonder. Everyone knows that teenagers are very impressionable, and when a popular song talks about violence, many kids listen. This becomes what is "cool" and they try to be just like it. So when artists talk about getting into fights, gangs, guns, and running from the police, kids listen ... and t...

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... what was common place for this rap group. It had been a tactic for rappers to drop names of famous designer and products in their rap lyrics. This was a way to market products for mainstream companies, but was actually oblivious to the artist. Their intentions were not to sell the product, ... wrote a hit called "My Adidas" that transformed the shoe into a cult classic. To this day, people rock the Adidas that the group made famous. LL Cool J did the same with Kangol hats. The list of fashion breakthroughs stretched on throughout the years: biker shorts, Daisy Dukes, huge clock necklaces...

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... interpreted as a way of proving their existence, that by acknowledged for either good or bad, they get noticed and what they say gets heard".) (Hebdige,Hiding in the light). Rap lyrics in the hip hop sub culture are about the problems rappers have seen, such as poverty, crime, violence, racism, poor living conditions, drugs, alcoholism, corruption, and prostitution. These are serious ... 's famous swishing sound" (Small, 1992, 12). The beat can be traditional funk or heavy metal, anything goes. The most important part of rap is rapping, fans want to hear the lyrics. During every generati...

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... across the country. Currently, the Billboard charts show that Rap and Hip-Hop are the most popular genre in America. Perhaps it is because of the realism found in Rap lyrics. Some people may say that Rap is obscene because of the word choice and allusions to sex, drugs, and other topics not acceptable at the dinner table. However, this could ... addressed with no secrets. Rap is also used as an identity source. Young people look to rap songs to find out what is hip and cool, and more importantly, what their friends think is hip and cool. It is common ground that allows Urban youth to dr...

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... today. Many people have said that by listening to these types of music, it influences teens to become violent and start using illegal substances. Some adults have concerns about the lyrics in Hip-Hop and Rap, which contains explicit references to sex, drugs, and racism. However, I believe that even though these artists or performers speak openly about these harsh subjects, they ... influences of rap music as early as the 1940's but it never really started developing in the 1970's. Urban DJ's started to manipulate records to make scratching rhythms and other cool sounds. The "rapper" or ...

• Word Count: 984
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... today. Many people have said that by listening to these types of music, it influences teens to become violent and start using illegal substances. Some adults have concerns about the lyrics in Hip-Hop and Rap, which contains explicit references to sex, drugs, and racism. However, I believe that even though these artists or performers speak openly about these harsh subjects, they ... influences of rap music as early as the 1940's but it never really started developing in the 1970's. Urban DJ's started to manipulate records to make scratching rhythms and other cool sounds. The "rapper" or ...

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... for what he said to the reporter. (Raspberry A21) "If you don't give a f--- about a bitch/ Then you're rolling with the row", are lyrics from Doggystyle. If all people were to think like this what respect would women have? Some say, "If we don't have respect for our women, why should ... living in the ghetto?" (Philips A18). U.S. Representative Cardiss Collins, chairwomen of the congressional panel, complained the industry executive to cut out vulgar and violent lyrics was doing that little. She said, "a sticker is not enough" (Congresswomen 7). Some censorship has been incorporated in t...

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... today. Many people have said that by listening to these types of music, it influences teens to become violent and start using illegal substances. Some adults have concerns about the lyrics in Hip-Hop and Rap, which contains explicit references to sex, drugs, and racism. However, I believe that even though these artists or performers speak openly about these harsh subjects, they ... influences of rap music as early as the 1940's but it never really started developing in the 1970's. Urban DJ's started to manipulate records to make scratching rhythms and other cool sounds. The "rapper" or ...

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... the result of violence? In the article "Redeeming the Rap Music Experience" Venise Berry examines the cause and effects of rap music and rap artists. Rap Lyrics are a very controversial subject because they often include the issues of Sex, Violence, and drugs. Supporters of rap culture believe that the issues discussed in ... this type of music are a result of the life that young black men are exposed to. Rap lyrics are a way for them to express their feelings and expose others to their life of hell in the dangerous world that they live. As Berry's says ... culture rap is a vehicle for ...

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... many, a natural means of living. Rap and hip-hop has been plagued by negative connotations of violence since its existence. Whether it is the controversial lyrics or the vicious murders of many artists, violence appears to be an everyday element of this "bad-boy" lifestyle. The recent death of Jam Master ... the eastern area of the United States, while Shakur and Death Row Records, Inc. controlled the western portion of the country. Tupac's party recorded harsh lyrics, and the media turned the occurrence into a bi-coastal war. As fans of both artists, many felt torn between which artist w...

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... whatever he wishes, because it's his way to expressing his feelings, it's not against the law, and it's the truth. Tupac uses a lot of profanity, and his lyrics are inappropriate for kids. The song "Hit em" Up" starts off with vulgar language and has negative content. "First off, *censored* your bitch and the click you ... Tupac is really rapping about anyway, but the more they hear it and grow up with it, the more it will become a part of them. The Yim 2 lyrics to most of his songs are about death and about life in the ghetto. Even though all of it is reality, kids should not be exposed...

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... "anything goes" period of the 90's." (Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service, 1999). During the last decade critics have brought up controversial lyrics in some artists styles, like Eminem and vulgar and violent language, or the Dixie Chicks recent speak out against the president. The rising ... will beat" and "I slit my teenage wrist" are just a sample from two songs. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry the troublesome lyrics of some teen music: o Advocate and glamorize the abuse of drugs or alcohol o Present suicide as a "solution" o Display graphic violen...

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... rap is not only music made for entertainment purposes. Many parents and experts argue that rappers and musicians use vulgar, profane, sexually explicit lyrics to target the teenage market. The Federal Trade Commission recently held hearings on whether the entertainment industry, including record labels, should be held ... amendment. Eminem has also been under attack by Lynne Cheney. In 2000 Cheney went before the Senate to call for censorship of the rapper's lyrics. Despite her efforts Eminem's 2000 LP, called The Marshall Mathers LP, had sold over 7 million copies. Michael Green, Presid...

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... an interview with rap group Dead Prez taken out of a "Music Matters" page in the December 2000 edition of The Source magazine. Dead Prez's lyrics are an example of society's views on music. Consisting of two rappers that strongly disagree with the United States government and who are supporters of many ... songs and their black supremacist views towards society. Dead Prez has vowed to continue their "struggle" as they call it and continue putting down lyrics and ideas that they believe in and support on paper. An annual concert called Black August taking place in Irving Plaza owned by ...

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... in music today has a brain-washing effect. This brain-washing effect is supposed to make the listener become so overwhelmed with the lyrics of the song that the person feels that it's a must to act on what was heard. It doesn't matter if what they ... hip-hop) music, or rock-n-roll (head-banger) music. The reason people have this presumption about rap and rock-n-roll is because both genres reputations of having or using inappropriate lyrics. A lyric from the N.W.A album F**k The Police states "Mr. Officer, I want to see you layin" in a coffin, sir." This statement, as well as music ... ...

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... in music today has a brain-washing effect. This brain-washing effect is supposed to make the listener become so overwhelmed with the lyrics of the song that the person feels that it's a must to act on what was heard. It doesn't matter if what ... hip-hop) music, or rock-n-roll (head-banger) music. The reason people have this presumption about rap and rock-n-roll is because both genres reputations of having or using inappropriate lyrics. A lyric from the N.W.A album F**k The Police states "Mr. Officer, I want to see you layin" in a coffin, sir." This statement, as well as music ... repl...

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... With out these elements, they shouldn't even classify what they call their music as Hip-Hop. Emcees used to make their records with passion, with their lyrics based on their life experiences, emotions and aspirations. Now most of Hip-Hop like this remains underground, but if it's not like that, can we ... underground community is "Nas" Jones. He can go mainstream but keep his street credibility. He raps about life and reality; speaks his mind. He inspires people with his lyrics, not by how much cash he has. In Nas's "I can" 2003 debut, he raps, "Be, B-Boys and girls, listen again, This i...

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