Hip-Hop

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses hip-hop music, which it describes as a genre of music that paints many negative pictures and speaks poorly of women, but is also a genre containing many different aspects and points of view. The paper first explains that the debate over hip-hop music stems from its projection of an overall attitude of disrespect, male empowerment and scenes of violence that seem to encourage such real-life actions. In addition, the lyrics in hip-hop music often use derogatory language directed at women. However, there are examples of women in the music industry who almost encourage sexual exploitation through their own lyrics or, in the opposite case, who fight against it with songs of their own. The paper uses lyrics from several songs to explore if the hip-hop genre is just a way to make a hit recording or if it truly is a reflection of a society.

From the Paper:

"If that isn't disturbing enough, an article on the "Harvard Political Review" online cited a study conducted by James D. Johnson, Lee Anderson Jackson, and Leslie Gato of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Their study explained that the violent and male-empowered images in hip hop lyrics and videos are desensitizing the minds of young children. Because the children are being so regularly exposed to such violent behavior, their acceptance and tolerance of these ways are greatly increased."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alvarenga, Raquel. "Hip Hop Generation." Harvard Political Review. 12 Sept. 2005. hprsite.squarespace.com/hip-hop-generation/
• Azlyrics.com. 50 Cent. "P.I.M.P." Get Rich or Die Tryin. 2003.
• Azlyrics.com. Shakur, Tupac. "Dear Mama." Me Against the World. 1995.
• Azlyrics.com. Snoop Dogg. "Break a Bitch Til I Die." Duces 'N Trayz - The Old Fashioned Way. 2001.
• Azlyrics.com. TLC. "No Scrubs." Fanmail. 1999.

More papers on Hip-Hop:

• Term Paper # 142354 : "Hip Hop Less Relevant to African Americans Today"
• Research Paper # 91985 : "Music, Culture and Hip Hop Dance"
• Comparison Essay # 70610 : "Hip Hop"
• Essay # 89328 : "The History of Hip Hop in the USA"

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