Would you agree with me if I said?

Question

Rap music is likned to gangs, violence, alcohol, and the high numbers of homocides? Seriously though, a recent study shows that more than 50% of all homocide cases in the USA for 2006 was comitted by African American males.

Majority of the bad statistics are coming from African American communities. Most African Americans listen to rap. I've noticed that the African Americans that doesn't listen to rap are more positive and cool to be around. But those who do listen to that kind of music seem to think that they have to conform to this low standard to be somebody, without realising they are somebody regardless of what people may say or think of them.

I'm just tired of this youth being in bondage. They are afraid to be who they are because of the fear of rejection. Btw, I find all positive music to be acceptable, including clean rap that teaches a positive lifestyle. Sadly though, many people reject clean rap because it's not gansterish enough.

shauna, you should follow your own advise considering that African Americans make up 13% of the total population in the US, while whites make up about 60%. So it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why the sales are like that, considering how popular this genre of music is.

Answer 1

yea it's an interesting question and highly debateable. but you do have consider a few things. you already mentioned that not all black people listen to rap. well not all rap lovers are black either. memebers of just about any ethnic group have rap fans. there are also different kinds of rap. i agree that the popularized rap that's out there is pretty horrible in the regard that it glamourizes violence, drugs, money, sex, etc...and isn't particularly conducive to developing a realistic outlook on life for black youth.

I wouldn't blame rap music for all of the black on black crime, crack usage, drive bys, etc...i blame the history that black people have had to deal with and still do to a degree. but in a way i feel like many of them have become spoiled by racism because the race card tends to be pulled more and more often in situations where it really isn't even an issue (like the Michael Vick ordeal). it's like some ethnic groups, not just blacks, can use racial discrimination as shroud for other underlying problems, or as an excuse for a crime they commited, or mistake they made. here's a hypothetical: a black guy goes to jail for murdering a store clerk and says "well he called me a ni*ger", ok, but you robbed the store. anyways, i could go on, but i'm tired of typing.

point is, rap isn't always to blame. it's mostly a conglomerate of societal issues that still haven't been fully addressed.

Answer 2

I don't think it is a race issue, but I would agree that rap music is linked to all of that. Rap is just the new genre of music having people act out (think about when the Beatles or Elvis started, and how it created chaos). Rap is just a fad, and most people that listen to rap think they have to be thugs and gangsters because that is what the music says. I believe it is up to the individual to act how they want to regardless of what they listen to or how they grow up. Most people just choose to act like society does not exist and they can do what they want. Also, don't rely too heavily on statistics, many of them are biased.

Answer 3

no i would not. not if you are blaming the music for the violence.
i really like the beat of rap . i'm esp fond of bass. i listen to it when i'm busy around the house, getting stuff done. for me, it is a motivator. (altho i did do away with my mop the other day . but it deserved it ,immensely)

ppl that listen to ,or write the rap songs with negative connotations ,are maybe hurting or angry and trying to get their feelings out in a positive way, by shedding bad vibes thru music .

so, if anything , maybe the music eases things a bit.

idk.. all i know is, i'm much less angry about having to pick up after everybody , if i have my music up nice and loud,to 'commiserate ' along with me. .

~Laurie <41 yo white chick in the 'burbs.

Answer 4

Yes I agree. Not all rap lovers are like that but I think they do influence young listeners. Ive had a younger bro who was so into rap music. I think he thought he was black! Anyways he started getting into sh|t thinking its cool and he thinks those lyrics are a way of life or soemthing! Its horrible. He only cleaned up his act after he was enlisted into the army.

I think its bad for young listeners esp those who are badly seeking an identity.

Answer 5

things just happen to be that way.

it's like some form of expression.. but.. there's nothing much 2 be expressed in that way.. probably..that's what rap music about..getting attention..

plus..who will pay more attention if it's linked to gangs, violence, alcohol, and the high numbers of homocides?

PUBLIC

THATS how it sells

Answer 6

Hmmm what about gothic rock music or punk music that glorifies the use of heavy drugs drinking, and fighting and murder? But i see where you are going, and although your hypothesis makes sense, it is false. Unfortunately you cannot fix ll the problems of urban America with excluding negative rap music. The problems all center around how our local and federal governments spend their budgets. Poverty is the problem, and it's not only african americans, not all hoods are segregated. Teaching kids the realities of life, and having education that relates to their surroundings and social experiences is the key to fixing the problems in our communities.

Answer 7

actually, studies have shown that white, suburban teens are the highest demographic of rap fans.

also, explain bubba sparxxx, paul wall, eminem, beastie boys, 3rd bass, vanilla ice, house of pain, insane clown posse, and the white rapper show on vh1?

According to musicologist Arthur Kempton, "Today 70 percent of hip-hop is bought by white kids".

all music encourages different things: rock = drugs, emo = depression & cutting, etc

do a smidge of research rather than airing your stereotypical view points.

Answer 8

Rap by itself isn't the problem.

They have done research with animals and found that the types of rhythms in rap foment violence.

So it's not just Afro Americans.

I can't wait for rap to DIEEEEEEE

Answer 9

I used to work in a juvenille detention center. I asked a few of the kids this question: When you were arrested, did they read you your rights first or ask what kind of music you listened to? That always gave them a pause, but they thought I was nutty anyway--

Answer 10

in a way i agree, but its not all about african americans when it comes to that, and yes there are guys that dont listen to that kind of music, and are just like us, which is pretty cool.