The issue of whether rap music contributes to violent crime is a continual debate here in America. In this essay I will look at two articles and analyze them to find which argument I believe in. Dennis R. Martin, president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, theorizes that since "music has the power both to sooth the ravage beast' and to stir violent emotions,"" then rising racial tensions and violence can be attributed to rock music's promotion of "vile, deviant, and sociopathic behaviors. Criminologist Mark S. Hamm and Jeff Ferrell reject Martin's analysis of the relationship between music and violence, charging that theory is based on racism and ignorance of both music and cultural forces (Monk p18). .
In Martin's article, "Music of Murder,"" he stresses that music containing violent images through words is the misuse of the first amendment and that it can influence the mind. Influencing the mind the same way that music can uplift the spirit or rage it. Martin believes that lyrical references strong enough can take over the subconscious causing people to act in ways they otherwise wouldn't. .
Mark S. Hamm and Jeff Ferrell's article, "Rap, Cops and Crime: Clarifying the Cop Killer' Controversy,"" speaks of rappers singing about everyday experiences. They see nothing wrong with rappers singing about violence, prostitution, etc., they say it constitutes rap's appeal for millions of middle-class white kids who have never been inside the black ghetto.
My own opinion on this matter is that rap songs that contain violence to an extreme degree are wrong and immoral. This kind of music is being sold to young children without any thought of concern. When many children listen to this kind of music they think that what is being said in the songs is not wrong or against the law. The lyrics in many songs contain violent and explicit lyrics that usually talk about killing someone along with sounds of gunshots in the background.
Rap Lyrics and Violence The link between rap lyrics and violence is overvalued. ... It is simply unjust to blame rap music lyrics for social violence. ... Rap music is an art form that reflects life. ... The problem of urban violence is much bigger than rap. ... Rap lyrics and violence are overvalued by today's society. ...
Does Rap Music Promote Violence? As a little girl growing up in a stereotypical middle class neighborhood, I can remember being repeatedly told not to listen to rap music. ... As a child, I was curious and unsure as to why listening to this particular music, rap, is looked down upon. ... Rappers are "glamorizing" violence and children are unknowingly being desensitized over time about issues involving sex, violence, and drugs. ... Whether the problem lies within the rap music or somewhere else, we must find an answer. ...
Although it is not what anyone could call "clean" music, rap has made its imprint on the kids of this generation. ... When drugs, alcohol, and guns became popular in society, so did rap and hip-hop music; this is not a coincidence. ... Conversely, rap and hip-hop music do not only allow troublesome kids to relate to it. ... Still more that remains clear of the violence and trouble is the simple fact that rap and hip-hop are the best for dancing when people go out to clubs. ... Whether it be interpreted as bad or good, rap and hip-hop are definitely the most significant music gen...
The negative implications of rap music have become almost as popular as the music itself (Krohn et al. 1995). ... One other aspect of these rappers lives that is glorified through their music is violence. ... Tucker, former California assemblyman whose district covered many black areas of Los Angeles, said that rappers preach drug culture and violence. ... She says that there is a distinction between rap music and "gangster/porn" rap. She says some rap music is positive but gangster rap only portrays negative behaviors and attitudes. ...
Rap Music Is Not A Violent Form of Entertainment Many people think that rap music is making kids more violent. They think that rap music is just a glorification of violence. ... "Violence is the No.1 killer of black males today gangsta rap confirms negative impressions of rap music the last thing black males need is to be exposed to a genre of music that says the way to resolve conflicts is with violence" (Stateman 3). ... Makani Themba believes in some of these aspects but also has different views on how violence is encouraged by rap music. ... Does music have an influence on violence ...
Rap music consists of chanted; street poetry that is often improvised (1993). The rap is accompanied by music in the disco or funk area (1993). ... Rap music was not a quick fad like disco. ... He answers the complaints about the music by saying that people should look at rap in a broad context, not just focusing on the sexism and violence that are contained in much of the lyrics (1998). ... Rap music has become a catalyst for social change and integral to rap music is the music video. ...
Is rap the kind of music we want our kids to listen to? ... Rap is the kind of music that people have different opinions about, because there is a positive and a negative side to it. ... Since rap has a great beat, many times people don't listen to the lyrics which are generally about violence, anger and sex. Rap listener's increases everyday; therefore the repeated sounds and messages sensitize our brain to see the violence, anger and sex as a normal action. ... Angela Ards, views rap as a positive force because many gangs settle arguments through lyrical battles and break-dancing c...
Rap music pounds messages of sex and violence into the minds of young adults leaving behind their sexist and repetitive influential messages. ... According Johnson, Jackson and Gatto's study on the deleterious effects of exposure to rap music, subjects in the violent exposure conditions (rap music) expressed greater acceptance of violence. ... Music plays an important role in teenagers" lies and listening to violent rap music promotes violent behavior. ... Which one advertises indiscriminate violence? ... The rapper's music becomes a tool that promotes violence and sexual stereot...
The Influence of Rap Music Rap music has many negative influences in our culture and society today. Rap music is a "genre of rhythm and blues music that consists of rhythmic vocals declaimed over musical accompaniment. ... In Rap music violence is talked about frequently to be a normal part of life. ... Violence today has increased immensely as it is, and with rappers and media publicizing it everyday, kids are surrounded by violence on a day-to-day basis. ... By turning off rap music maybe children will not be as exposed to drugs, alcohol, and violence today....
