Negativity About Rap/ Hip-Hop?

Question

It seems that a lot of people have a lot of comments and negativity about rap and hip-hop. I really want to know what's the issue with hip-hop music. Those who listen to hip-hop as me do the same of those who listen to pop, rock, country etc. I enjoy relaxing back and hearinng 50 on a track and relating to some things. It even relaxes me after a situation. As a female I even enjoy writing because that's my preference and I like certain things that I write that I don't find so offensive. Yeah some hip-hop may contain raw lyrics and may have to do with violent activity but what's the difference from hearing it in a song than hearing violent activities taking place on the news? It happens everyday. Rappers may talk about how they might have to kill to protect themselves. What's the difference from them rapping it on a song than the soldiers out in Iraq doing and saying the same things to protect themselves? It's happens everyday in our lives. Does a beat change everything? Ask yourself.

Can I please get answers to all my questions and some feedback. Longer too! Thanks.

Answer 1

I really like this quote:
"In a time of social fragmentation, vulgarity becomes a way of life. To be shocking becomes more important — and often more profitable — than to be civil or creative or truly original.’’ — Al Gore, 20th-century American politician, vice president of the U.S.

My issue with much of rap and hip hop is that the lyrics incite one towards violence. They try to indicate that violence is an acceptable and normal part of life. The media certainly is not the litmus test I would use on the issue of violence, however while they bring it in to our homes as news everyday, at least they are not trying to make it seem right.

A soldier and a rapper are not peers. A soldier is given a job to defend the country from those bent on causing harm to the country. A rapper is not. If a person finds themselves in situations where they believe they will need to kill to defend themselves on a regular basis, it is time to re-examine their life.

A beat changes nothing; in that you are correct. The issue I have is with the content. Their are rap songs calling for the killing of cops. I have an issue with that. You don't here a country singer going on about how we need to kill anyone.

Answer 2

The people who are so negative about rap/hip-hop don't listen to it and have only heard about those songs that do glorify violence that are railed against by the media. People neglect to remember that there are plenty of rock and country songs, mainstream ones at that, that deal with similar subject matter.
There are a lot of stereotypes about race that play into peoples "fear" of rap. It was the same in the 50s when rock was almost exclusively black, rock was "devil music" designed to entice white children to evil. It's rediculous, but some people still think that way.

Answer 3

Hip Hop/Rap has become the whipping boy for many of today's societal ills. The real problem lies at home, with parents not paying attention to what their kids are listening to, and a breakdown of communication between parents and children. And as I descend from my soapbox to the applause of the crowd, at the end of the day people, it's just entertainment.

Answer 4

Many radio candy rappers like 50 Cent are only perpetuating negative stereotypes of blacks in America. The only heroes that young black people have are overindulgent, decadent rappers who squander their dough on meaningless garbage like diamond studded watched and Bentleys... It is a real shame when I ask some of my young black students who their heroes are and they say 50 Cent and Lil John instead of the real black heroes of our time like Mumia Abu Jamal and Maya Angelou... Also, how could and self-respecting woman even listen to rappers who consistently subjugate women... Like Chuck D., and real hero of hip hop said, "Don't believe the hype"

Answer 5

A beat doesn't change everything. Lyrics like "*****" and "ho" and "day be satisfied wit Mickey Dees!" do. I'm in my thirties and I remember the early days of hip hop. It wasn't always like it is now.

Look, Curtis Jackson got rich. He beat the odds and even HE has to wear a bulletproof vets when he goes out in public. These wanna-be "gangstas" are going to die trying.

And the filthy misogyny--vulgar, ugly overgrown adolescents who leer at half naked women gyrating in slow motion. In real life those girls don't talk to them.

Answer 6

i agree with you :)

i LOVE rock music.. and my love for rock music is not different than your love for rap, or hip hop. everyone has their own preference. just because someone personally doesnt like one type of music.. like i dont really care for country music.. it doesnt mean the music sucks.

it just depends on the person. to me country isnt all that great. but to the next person, country is their world. and i think its awesome. to each is her own.. no one should get ragged on because of the kind of music a person likes.

right on :)

Answer 7

Hip-hop ain't the same as Rap, hip-hop is much cooler, rap is stronger and uses more "ghetto" words and life experiences.

:)

Answer 8

Music is just music.
If a person doesn't like what's on, then they should change the channel. Simple enough, you would think anyway.

Answer 9

i dont like rap, but im a metal head so i get a very similar hostility from people. i think alot of people are getting tired of rap and are therfore bashing it all they can hoping it will go away.

Answer 10

no i love that kind of music