Do you think rap music has a positive or negative effect these days?

Question

(This is a bit long so bear w/ me). I'm a recent high school graduate and even when I went to high school, by the end of my senior year all the freshmen (in the "ghetto"/gangster-wannabe cliques) that were coming in were starting more fights than ever. In my neighborhood I see kids sporting do-rags, and while it's one thing to like the urban style/rap music, it's another when you see eight, nine year olds cursing and fighting with each other almost every other day. It seems so many kids, whether they are white, black, hispanic, asian, etc, are becoming more and more interested in wanting to be and act ghetto to the point where it's difficult just to go out and enjoy a movie without those types screaming, laughing and getting into peoples' faces. I don't have anything against rap music, because there is some good hip-hop/rap music out there, but these days with artists like 50 Cent and Eminem the younger generation is misinterpreting the music and acting on what they see and hear.

I understand originally rap music was meant to portray the struggles of inner city life and to help bring an understanding and reach out to other communities, but nowadays it seems to glamorize sex and violence not because of struggles, but more of as a bragging rights.

Do you think a lot of the music portrayed in the rap industry or on MTV/BET has a positive or negative effect on younger children these days?

Oh, and yes I know rap isn't the only music that can give bad messages so please don't start flaming, I'm just trying to go by what I've SEEN in my own neighborhood and community and what I see more often than not.

Hex, you are correct about a lot of the music these days, but back in the day it was good, ever hear of Ice-T as well as others? They didn't promote kids going out and beating on each other or any of that, they spoke of struggles in life so people could understand.

Answer 1

Negative. Women are degraded. Drug selling is pushed as popular. It's cool to get shot / shot at. The n word is used and is portrayed as a term of affection (which is where Don Imus probably picked it up - not from Whites, but from Blacks. Sex is treated as a hobby. Drug use and alcohol use is encouraged. There is nothing good in rap music. And the sad thing is - it furthers stereotypes about Blacks that we're all dumb, ghetto, uneducated, thieves, robbers, murderers, lazy, druggies, alcoholics, whores, and truth be told... no one is trying to fight the stereotype either. The music is horrible.

And on top of that, where is the real musicianship now ? There is none.

That is for secular hip hop. But Christian hip hop is another story.

Answer 2

Most of the rap/hip hop out today is negative and has negative affects on the people who listen to it, simple as that. Ofcourse there are rappers out there that try to portray a positive message, but sadly they are being outshadowed. What do most people think of when they think of rap? Probably violence, guns, slang, the ghetto etc....I dont admire rap music at all.

Answer 3

To tell ya'll da truth, i listen to that kind of music mi self (not like eminem or 50 cent nescesarrily) but ya, sum rap, hip-hop, and r&b. But to a certain point a totally agree dat alot of rap music has a bad effect on ALOT of people. Like for example alot of mi guy friends i have been growing up with over the years are treating me with ALOT more disrespect after they have listened to songs like "get low", and on the other hand some of the nicest sweetest guys ive ever met stay away with that gross stuff to begin with.

I'm probably never going 2 go away frum mi rap\hip-hop musiq eva, but it really gets old when mi friends take it 2 the next level and totally start acting inaproapriatly and mean and like wanna-b round me. It would jus b nice if dey could all listen 2 the music if they want to, but not try and act "cool" and "gangsta" jus cuz thatz wut in der music!
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Answer 4

I recently read a research paper saying that scientists found out that people who listen to rap music have more sex than those who listen to country music.
I guess all types of music can get to your head and make you act like an idiot. I agree that parents should watch over what their children are listening to.
Treating women like trash, cursing, being a pimp, becoming a drug dealer are no desirable things you want for your kid.
As an adult however, you are responsible for your actions yourself,able to reflect your actions and I don't believe that music can make you want to be a criminal anymore.

Answer 5

Rap music is created and generated by the government to try and keep certain minorities from gaining more power. Why do you think the guys with bullets in them, and going to jail are made to look so cool. Raps about Killin'' and being' against the law are pushed to the forefront to hopefully, and seemingly successfully create a roll model for younger minorities to model themselves after. It's mass brain washing. White Man Keepin'' me down.

Answer 6

I love Rap but they need to stop with saying that they banged my girl and they'll shoot me or knock me out. I don't need that. Make a point to your song instead of trying to make cool beats and think of words that rhyme. And talk about how much clothes they have and cars and money. I don't want to see someone dealin money the whole music video and getting out of cars in slow motion 8 timeswith girls with them.The only reason they have girls is because they have money because we buy their $hit. B.I.G started the whole money thing but he made it sound good. And we understand that SOME of them are ghetto but that phase is over and they gotta get over it. Rap is too negitive now it kinda makes me sick.

Nas tries to keep kids out of the whole drug dealing, and killing and says it is bad stay away from it. It makes it all worse. That is why he is my favorite rapper.

Answer 7

I cant say it is negitive or positive it all depends on the artist and or song,, like alot of ppl write there life storys or some ppl make up it as they go along so that question really has no good answer..

www.myspace.com/2tyme187

Answer 8

Both, but ultimately a negative. Most rappers don't really talk about anything but sex, drugs, partying, and money. Kanye West and Nas still manage to send a positive message from time to time.

Answer 9

Negative.
Kids these days who listen to all this RAP music lately, all they start to think is like, well, swearing and things like RAP music has.

Answer 10

well i think not. it has a STRONG influence on todays ppl. but i dont think it can put a negative nor postive strike on ppl. i mean yes it does {somewhat} encourage teens and young adults to buy and or sell drungs and go around shootin up walmart. but the ppl who listen are the ones taking the step in making decisions like that. i myself listen to it but it doesnt affect me. i choose not to go shoot up house or do drugz. so you have ur own opinion on whether it affect todays pplz.