So what's so detrimental about rap?

Question

I'll quote some lyrics from rap songs and you tell me what so harmful about these lyrics for society. Sounds easy right?

Cause I'm tryin' to inspire the folks, you wanna condemn
Cause they sell dope, well man show 'em the ropes
Be a father or a football coach, a role model or a symbol of hope
Take another approach, instead of testifyin' aganist them in court
Handcuffin' 'em and closin' the door, so they can be worse than before
--T.I

Civilians and little children is especially harmed
Camouflaged Torahs, Bibles and glorious Qurans
The books that take you to heaven and let you meet the Lord there
Have become misinterpreted, reasons for warfare
We read 'em with blind eyes I guarantee you there's more there
The rich must be blind because they didn't see the poor there
--Lupe Fiasco

Lookin' out of my project window
Oh, I feel uninspired
Lookin' out of my project window
Oh, it makes me feel, so tired

You just transcend, I know I'm gon' see you again
Hopin I reach the world leaders and win
Ain't nothin without struggle, listen up, it's critical
We used to fear arms, now the weapons are chemical
In Hip-Hop, THE WEAPONS ARE LYRICAL
To be the best you challenge the best, then the blessings are spiritual
--Nas

I'm so tired, it's been so long - struggling, hopelessly
Seven and forty days.. heyyy
Ohhhh, I sacrifice every breath I breathe
To make you believe, I'd give my life awayyyy
Oh lord, I'm so tired, I'm so tired
My feet feel like I walked most of the road on my owwwwn
--Ceelo

The seeds that sow, get devoured by the same locusts
Cause it's a hard row to hoe
if your *** don't move, and the rain don't fall
And the ground just dry
But the roots are strong, so some survive
So you're surprised,
-Big Rube

I cannot post thousands of lyrics or people won't read it. This is my last addition. My whole point is stop labeling rap as one thing when it's diverse in message and is not just gangsta.

Pierce, here's some David Banner for you and stop judging by one song as well...

Lord, I'm sorry I didn't pray last night, I was high
Runnin' through the port, tryin' to get on the red-eye
Lately I ain't prayed for a minute and I'm fallin'
These demons, they got cell phones and lately they been callin
And lately I've been listenin'
Lord does it really matter if I'm Muslim or Christian
--David Banner

y people screamed for revenge
So Fiend was called upon
Job description was get it on
Protect your mental, heart and your dome
You may die cause' of your tone
Young, black and strong
I was meant and sent
Cause' some of the real was all gone
Since birth til' now I got holes in my T-shirt
From fighting with anybody that wants to see me hurt
--Fiend

Diamond-- you know all rap songs are not like that (whatever you perceive it to be).

Knowledge is the best weapon against ignorance. Rather than hate people for their ignorance, I'm going to educate you. This is just the first question...

Answer 1

Danielle & Josh W: you two exemplify the whole point. People that don't listen to rap music want to summarize what it's all about and sound completely ignorant in the process. Do yourselves a favor and don't even respond to questions that you have no knowledge about. And the most ironic thing is, this question asks you to point out the harmfulness of the lyrics quoted, you chose to completely ignore that. How ridiculous is that? If you don't even own a full length rap CD, what makes you competent to comment on the entire genre of music?! That would be like discussing the impact of country music on the youth when I don't buy or listen to it.

I don't listen to Marilyn Manson so I can't make any comments about his music. I CAN tell you that I've heard him speak on talk shows and he comes off as a very intelligent guy whose in touch with reality. But he is demonized by the media as well. Why, because people need a scapegoat, and it's not going to be actors that play gangsters in movies or female singers that rarely wear full clothing (who shall remain nameless).

Now to answer the question, I don't see any harm in these lyrics. I can name plenty of other rap artists that have conscious music such as Common, Kanye West, Outkast, Goodie Mob, Talib Kweli, Lauryn Hill, and many many others. The problem is, radio stations play what record companies PAY them to play. So the artists that don't have a heavy push from their record labels will rarely if ever be on mainstream radio, MTV, or VH1.

Answer 2

I appreciate the lyrics, but busting out a couple of examples does not eliminate the thousands and thousands of counter-examples of rap with negative lyrics.

That said, I don't think there is anything wrong with rap anyway. Rap is a reflection of certain aspects of our society. The negative lyrics you hear from some rap artists come directly from the culture and environment that they live in. So the ones who are influenced most by the negative experiences in their lives have the more negative lyrics. The ones with the most positive influences in their lives sing more positive lyrics. Many rap artists are somewhere in the middle. I think rap gets a bad rap, if you'll pardon the pun. There are problems in our society FIRST... THEN the rap reflects those problems. Rap doesn't cause the problems in our culture. We do. Odds are whoever wrote the rap lyrics you cite are harboring some positive inner-experiences that they are utilizing despite whatever negative experiences they have lived through. That is what more rap singers should try to do, but it is easy for me to say. I'm white, grew up in a rural community, and went to college.

The funny thing is that I'm not really a fan of rap! But it is alright by me. Different strokes for different folks. Enjoy!

Answer 3

Those are only an example of what Rap COULD be. Most of the time, Hip Hop "artists" go on about life in the ghetto, shooting people, "getting laid", and things of that nature.

To be honest with you, I don't listen to Hip Hop "music" because of this. It's violent, disrespectful, and COMPLETELY dishonorable to women. What kinds of messeges do you think that sends to the generation listening to these kinds of things? It will inspire them to join a gang, become violent with their parents, and it creates a whole new breed of domestic aggressors.

If lyrics like you've listed exist more often in the Hip Hop world, more people would be positive toward it. However, keep the current stigma of getting all the money you can and show it off, kill as many people who stand in your way, or beat your woman into submission, and all you have is the garbled mess the Hip Hop culture is now.

Answer 4

I think what people dont understand is that the the most explicit hedonistic rap is the rap that the corporations are promoting. So that is why it is poision. Its not the rappers. Its the rap game. Its been taken over.

Here are some lyrics for ya:

Mtv, is runnin this rap s.hit
Viacom is runnin this rap s.hit
AOL and Time Warner runnin this rap s.hit
We poke out the asses for a chance to cash in
Cocaine, is runnin this rap s.hit
Hennessey, is runnin this rap s.hit
Quasi-homosexuals is runnin this rap s.hit

Watch out we run the world

That's it

-- Mos Def

Answer 5

I love the sound of rap, but don't always like the messages it gives to youth, however I like what you quoted very much.

Also, there are some regular tunes out there that also give not so good messages to kids, so you are right, why pick on rap.

Answer 6

hmmm i think the people citing detrimental lyrics are thinking more of sexual and abusive lyrics like david banner - play or 2 live crew...not politically minded or inspirational like the ones youve posted...but those people are retarded anyway for saying that. their spoken words are detrimental to society. it's amazing they're too blind to see it.


i'm not judging. i was saying they use songs like that to argue their case. i answered your question; the ones saying its so detrimental are the ones who refuse to see the positives in it. they dont identify whatsoever with lyrics like the ones i suggested and so figure its demoralizing society. i agree with you man. your question is phrased after the politicians and "moral leaders" who say that rap is detrimental to society. they are the ignorant ones. of course you can continue to argue what you said to me in the additional details if i cite more songs. tupac's music was unimaginably positive for the most part, except for one or two songs about carrying out a murderous vendetta against his ex best friend. you can see why someone would say rap is detrimental EXCLUSIVELY. in no other area of music are lyrics as negative. prove me wrong on that. i'm not saying rap is ****, i'm saying the rappers are rapping ABOUT ****. about **** that happens to them because of subjugation and the way the world is. this, if i'm not mistaken, is one of the key reasons for having a musical voice: to express yourself and your life for others to hear and learn. the people that say detriment are the ignorant ones. the ones who have their voice heard putting down rap are ignorant. my whole point is explaining why you even have to ask your question. the only ones who said its detrimental only hear what they want to hear. you're defending rap because stubborn, close-minded fools said it's something it's not. to single me out on yahoo! answers is a waste of your time, especially when you've got me on your side. you asked the question and i not only answered it well but now i've overstepped the bounds of anything expected on this website and it's become more like a forum. i have a question for you. what are you gonna do about the ignorance? educate the 30 or so people who see this question on yahoo! answers? call me judgmental...choose the right fight and stick with it, dude.

Answer 7

People see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear. They have no idea that all rap is not the same. Just as all rock is not the same.

Answer 8

Lil-snipe--- I want to say thank you. Thank you for taking the time out to educate someone on what really rap music is about. THANK YOU!!!! Truth is power.

Answer 9

It propagates a lifestyle that is detrimental to the White Youth of America. It rots our foundation at it's very core.

Answer 10

Set these lyrics to real music, and sing rather than shout them, then it might make it good music.