Is RAP destroying our country with it's message of hate and violence?

Question

http://www.drudgereport.com/flash1.htm

Rap star Cam'ron says there's no situation -- including a serial killer living next door -- that would cause him to help police in any way, because to do so would hurt his music sales and violate his "code of ethics." Cam'ron, whose real name is Cameron Giles, talks to Anderson Cooper for a report on how the hip-hop culture's message to shun the police has undermined efforts to solve murders across the country. Cooper's report will be broadcast on 60 MINUTES Sunday, April 22 (7:00-8:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

"If I knew the serial killer was living next door to me?" Giles responds to a hypothetical question posed by Cooper. "I wouldn't call and tell anybody on him -- but I'd probably move," says Giles. "But I'm not going to call and be like, ÔThe serial killer's in 4E.

Answer 1

I think this is probably a "chicken-egg" situation. Which came first?

That mentality has been rampant in certain communities for many years.

That mentality developed rap.

The problem is the mainstreaming of rap. It affects all our children.

EDIT: MLVNDMS-- I have seen mothers hold their 3 year old boys up in court and say "Look what they're doing to your daddy," while daddy was being taken into custody. Maybe there is a history of problems with the police in the community, but this mentality certainly doesn't solve any problems for these people.

Answer 2

Well, you need to realize that not all rap music is negative, anti-authority and obscene. Most of it is, but some of it is not and it's unfair to judge an entire genre of music because of what some artists stand for. Remember, there was a while there where it seemed like every act in rock music was encouraging kids to do drugs, engage in promiscous sex and rebel against their parents. That's what sells CDs. If these artist were encouraging kids to stay in school, obey their parents and keep the straight and narrow, it wouldn't appeal to most teenagers.

But blaming rap music is simply adding to the viscous cycle of the entire problem between African Americans and the police. Let's be honest... it is not out of the realm of possiblity that there may be a few racist cops out there who wake up in the morning with a grudge towards African Americans. They may think it's completely justified. They see a young black man as being a potential problem and treat them accordingly. And the fact that this has been going on for decades has spawned a very salty relationship at best between authoritative figures and the African American male.

So if you're going to place blame on someone, blame the racist cops who created this tension in the first place, not the rap artist who made some stupid comment on Anderson Cooper. These rap stars aren't supposed to be great role-models and after nearly 30 years of existence in the industry, part of rap's role is to be anti-authority. You'd expect this kind of comment from a rap artist. You shouldn't, however, expect racist behavior from a police officer. Chances are, you're going to get it anyway.

Answer 3

Truthfully, I've never really liked rap, but not specifically because of the lyrics, SOME OF WHICH I will admit are very negative.

The two biggest reasons I don't like rap are 1) half the time you can't understand the lyrics anyway due to the style of delivery, and 2) that annoying, "booming" bass beat, when as a performing musician, I worked hard to get a good flat bass drum sound.

But back to the topic of lyrics. Yes, dear, some of the lyrics suck, but also remember the failed attempt to sue rock group Judas Priest; the claim that their lyrics "caused" two boys to commit suicide.

Do SOME rap lyrics paint a positive picture? No. Do the lyrics "cause" anyone to commit a violent act? Only the weak minds, I guess.

So, what's the answer? Censorship?

You tell me...

Answer 4

Don't blame rap or hip-hop for the violence; blame the record companies--corporations --who will only "buy" a rapper who is a "gangsta". I've known a number of very, very good poets in the Detroit area (and rap IS poetry, some of it very good!) who could not get produced because they wouldn't denigrate women, curse, and tell violent stories with their songs.

I believe that some of it has gone way too far, and I am appalled at some of the lyrics I've heard. When my 25 year old daughter was in high school, I used to tell her that some of the music she listened to was "dangerous" in that it affected the listeners--that it could cause them to want to be like the people and the "stories" they listened to. She laughed at me, and called me "old-fashioned." She said it didn't affect her, and that it would not compromise her morals and values.

Thank goodness, in her case, that was true. She is very strong-minded, and had her head on straight! But, in the years to come, she finally admitted to me that, while SHE was not changed by the music, she knew many people who were influenced by it, and by the "personas" of the rappers. (I say "personas", because a lot of them are just normal, middle class kids who try to sound like they are drug dealing, gun toting maniacs....)

Cam'ron speaks for a lot of people I know, though, who realize that calling the police is not an option for them.


EDIT:

What "people", Ruth? Black people?? If you are racially stereotyping, why don't you just say what you mean, instead of "these people"?????

....

Answer 5

no longer hypocritical in any respect. truly it truly is a ludicrous evaluation. You presented it up no longer I. If i'm speaking about the warfare in Iraq why ought to I carry something up that has no longer something to do with it? for sure gang-violence is a challenge, yet that would not undermine the warfare as a challenge both.

Answer 6

Well, this is a very hard question to answer. I think that rap glamorizes bad ethics, racism, sexism, and just down right being a worthless piece of crap! But at the same time parents have a responsiblity to teach children and make sure that they know the difference between right and wrong.

Answer 7

I think people that go after musicians and public figures for what they say are no longer in touch with reality.This country has freedom of speech,not that I agree with everything that is said but they do have the right to say what they want.I also believe that it doesn't matter what kind of music you listen to or what you hear or see if you have a proper upbringing.People like Mike Drudge are just trying to stir the pot so people will pay attention to their drivel.People need to start taking responsibility for themselves rather than looking for places to put the blame.

Answer 8

So you are going based of what ONE rapper said and allowing it to reflect on an entire genre??? Boy, you sure are smart... NOT. Nonetheless you dont stop from continuing to surprise me with your ignorance...

Not all Rap is "negative" first of all. Some Rap songs make political statements (actually a lot of them do), talk about love, talk about history etc., but I wouldnt expect you to know that, since you sit and judge at the sight of anything that's remotely "dissimilar" from you or "your" interests....typical.

And why wouldnt you mention anything about other genres like grunge and heavy metal that entice children to bear hostile attitudes or commit suicide???

.... Yeah, Im sure they are the reason why our whole country is being destroyed. Lets do away with them all! *rolls eyes*

Answer 9

No, music never destroyed any country - much less ours.

However, Rap music is trash. Cam'ron is the purveyor of trash - you can tell by your quotes that he is a piece of junk and just another thug who exploits women and embraces violence in his business.

I don't know how the women of African-American descent can put up with Rappers who call them bitches and hos and say its OK to treat the women like a piece of meat.

I don't know why anyone, anywhere would buy anything these trashed-mouth, knuckledragging, mouth-breathers would record. Most of them are uneducated and among the stupidest people in our country.

Of course, every 13 year old thinks they are cool. They have something in common.....

Answer 10

I think police who patrol the neiborhoods Cameron and other rappers used to, would have alot more respect if they watched the way the treated the general public in that area. Everytime I look at a police officer he gives me a dirty look. I give him a nod or a hello and they still say nothing and just stare me down like like I have 10 pounds of cocaine in my back pockets.

Police don't have their tainted reputation where i'm from for no reason. If I like you I may be a littlemore likely to help you when you come to my door, everyone knows that.

Answer 11

Sounds like typical "prison mentality" too. Rap "culture" is nothing but references to drugs, guns, violence, and derogitory remarks about women. They use more negative references to their own race than any one else ever.
It is horrible music with a horrible message of hatred.
I think parents should really listen to some of it to see what it is telling their kids and keep their kids away from it. And that goes especially for parents with minority kids and people who live in the inner city.
No one should let their kids listen to that stuff. Ot if they do they should sit down with their kids and tell them what the music is saying and why they disagree with it.
Their is some hip hop type music without those references too, just like there is clean rock and christian rock.