Abstract This paper examines the rise of rap music from its beginnings to its current broad appeal. The paper also gives a background of black gospel music, describing its history and popularity. The author then turns back to rap music, citing a study about who listens to rap and what the audience's opinions are on specific social issues that they feel are addressed through this genre of music. The paper also denounces several myths about rap and its lyrics. Finally, the paper explores whether whites who listen to rap may be less racist. The paper includes a questionnaire about rap music.
From the Paper " Although rap is presently receiving a great deal of notoriety, black music has long been a part of American culture. Gospel music, for example, has defined black identity for generations and continues to do so. "Black gospel music is one of the new seminal genres of contemporary black culture which continually maintains its self-identity while it nourishes and enriches the mainstream of the world's cultural sources" (William-Jones 373). Black gospel music, a combination of West African and Afro-American music, dance, poetry and drama, includes contemporary black religious music of rural folk origins that celebrates the Christian experience of salvation and hope (William-Jones 376). For much of its 50 years as an underground form of music, gospel still remains among the least known or understood of many black cultural expressions today."
Tags:rap, music, African-American, culture, gospel, music, black, music
Abstract This research paper focuses on 3 rap artists who produced negative rap lyrics: Tupac Shakur, Christopher "Notorious BIG" and Ice-T's lyrics. This paper describes the negative influence rap lyrics have on young minds. This paper also shows the negative outcome of these rap artists from their heated lyrics.
From the Paper "According to data gathered by the Recording Industry Association of America, nearly half of the recordings sold in 1995 (47.3 percent) were purchased by teens, with people over 30 making up 25.1 percent of the buying force. Those older styles of music like jazz and classical constitute a mere 5.9 percent of the music market (Considine 76). Rap music reaches a lot of impressionable young minds. Violence in rap music is very destructive and some rap artists set extremely bad examples to teens and this is why rap lyrics need to have a positive influence. Rap lyrics are blamed for several deadly incidents involving both rap artists and innocent bystanders. Two of raps biggest names, Tupac Shakur and Notorious BIG, live out their lyrics leading to their deaths. Ice-T's lethal lyrics of his song "Cop Killers" are just about the worst influence a rap artist can have on teens."
Abstract This paper contains a review of professional literature on the connection between rap music and youth violence. The paper examines the messages of rap music and attempts to determine if stories about the connection between rap music and violence are substantially linked.
From the Paper "According to an article by Vinette Price published by New York Amsterdam News, two of the biggest names in rap music were murdered six months apart. The blame for their deaths should be placed on the men who..."
Tags:rap music, violence, connections, high risk, gangsta rap
Abstract This paper examines rap music and how it affects African-American culture. It contains excerpts of Frederick Douglass' autobiography
'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass' which discusses slavery. It discusses several terms in rap music such as: Gangsta Rap, obscene language, as well as discusses several Record labels. This paper concludes windfall is based on a tried and true system of degradation like slavery.
From the Paper "Frederick Douglass in his autobiography, 'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass', skillfully illustrates the exploitation and cruelty of the institution of slavery. The degradation and mistreatment visited upon African-Americans continues to this day. The most shocking detail of the ongoing humiliation facing African- Americans is who the facilitators are. The insurgence of the "ghetto" rap music industry continues to uphold the values of the slaveowners to the tune of a billion-dollars a year."
Tags:Rap, Music, institution, Frederick, Douglass, African, American, facilitator, industry
Abstract A paper concerning the effects of rap music and time pressure on reading comprehension. What effects does rap have on reading comprehension? Does time play a factor in the relationship between reading comprehension and rap?
Abstract This paper looks at rap music and its influence on today's youth, especially in the black community. It looks at the history of rap music, the lyrics and examines both its proponents and opponents. The lifestyles of the artists themselves are examined, as is the message they send, and the affect they have on their audience, whether intentional, or not.
From the Paper "However, life often imitates art. Gangsta rap, a type of rap music made most popular by Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, glorifies violence such as murder, rape, and stealing. These two men in particular are role models to millions of young children who saw both of these icons die by way of gun violence. Despite their deaths, rap music continues to portray gang life and violence as something trendy and "cool". Drug use is also constantly glorified - west coast rappers such as Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre popularized the marijuiana leaf in their lyrics; so much so that t-shirts, hats and bumper stickers with the bright green leaves were sold all over the country. I cannot fathom that the promotion of such illegal activites can bring about any positive results. Whether they desire to be or not, these entertainers are role models to young children and older teens. Their influence upon such impressionable minds is being used to desensitize their lives regarding violence, guns, gangs and drug use while glorifying life without a father, living on welfare and spending time in jail."
Abstract Rap Music has a great effect on our pop culture and race today. In fact, since the music of Elvis, various forms of music have pushed the limits of tolerance and decency in pop culture. According to some critics, rap has done this to an extent that cannot be disregarded in terms of social standards. This paper reviews the rap music genre, while also taking into consideration the impact it has on pop culture. The paper asserts that, while it is true that some rap artists have broken rules and norms not only in their music, but also in their lifestyles, it is also true that other rap musicians attempt to use their art for social uplift in pop culture.
From the Paper "During the 1920s, urban street jive was a form of speech developed in Chicago ("Getting"). According to some historians, this is the tradition at the root of rap music as it exists today. In its current form, rap music emerged in New York City, courtesy of a Jamaican immigrant, Clive Campbell, or DJ Kool Herc, as he is also known. During the 1970's, Campbell developed this art form by mixing music from two records on two separate turntables. The beat created in this manner was accompanied by Campbell speaking to match the rhythm of the music. The first hit in this genre was created by the Sugarhill Gang in 1979, and entitled "Rappers Delight.""
Abstract This paper discusses how rap music currently enjoys the status of mouthpiece for society's rebels and how, since the music of Elvis, various forms of music have pushed the boundaries of acceptability and decency in culture. It provides a short historical overview of this musical genre, followed by a consideration of its significance for society. It shows that, while it is true that some rap artists have broken rules and norms, not only in their music, but also in their lifestyles, it is also true that other rap musicians attempt to use their art to uplift society.
From the Paper "Rap artists such as Eminem (Marshall Mathers), Ice Tea, and others have reveled in the controversy raised by their explicit and violent lyrics. According to Fields, the results of social shortcomings are portrayed in the darkest and most explicit way possible by many rap artists. This serves not only as a window to the sad childhood worlds many of these artists come from, but also as an incentive to uphold and fight for conservative social values. Indeed, broken families where the father is absent, children illegitimate, and welfare the only income, more often than not make the world in which the average rapper grew up. The desperate alienation created by this situation finds its expression in violent rap lyrics (Fields)."
Abstract This paper explains that the problem with rap music is that it perpetuates the worst of both black and white America by divorcing itself from its musical roots and presenting America in a negative light. The author believes that rap music is impure at its core because the more rappers thrive in the multinational market, which has left so much of their audience behind, the richer they get and are farther removed from the "boyz in the 'hood". The paper concludes that rap music does nothing to heal a world full of woe; whereas, both of its predecessors in musical genres, gospel and rhythm and blues, do this.
From the Paper "The situations that give rise to rap music are not new; there is nothing new about young black men feeling (and arguably being, in large part) disenfranchised from the mainstream society of either culture, black or white. What is new, in fact, is not the condition of the culture, but the reaction of the musician. While music before rap was meant to carry people through a bad time and out the other side, rap seems to be meant to carry people deeper and deeper into hopelessness and despair."
The paper discusses the music and lyrics of rap artist "Dr. Dre" and their influence on rising rates of violence and alienation amongst American youth.
Abstract The writer examines the music of renowned rap artist, "Dr. Dre" and explores the relationship, if any, between the lyrics of "Dr. Dre" and other rap artists and the growing rates of violence, crime and alienation amongst America's teenagers. In addition, the writer catalogues arguments from both sides of the debate including the arguments of "Dr. Dre" and other prominent rap artists and those of public figures that see the music as a damaging influence on American youth.
From the Paper "When hip-hop music gained popularity in the early '70s, most people just responded to the music. Over time, however, the term "hip-hop" has evolved into a specific culture typified by performers with sagging, low-hanging, pants, hats to the back, laceless sneakers, hoods, and loud radios. Rap is now a part of this culture."
Abstract The paper discusses how rap music can be traced back to the African cultural traditions of oral story telling, vocalization and other cultural aspects that were retained by the slaves who went to America. The paper also explains that the political and social desire for freedom from oppression shaped many of the characteristics of rap music. The paper therefore shows how te issue of cultural domination in the United States as well as in many other countries brought about a movement of resistance which, to a large extent, is voiced and expressed in the contrary and unconventional styles and lyrics of rap music.
From the Paper "Rap music should be discussed within the context of the overall "hip hop" culture. In this sense, Rap music should be seen in terms of three interrelated modes of expressing. These are, rap music, graffiti writing, and break dancing. (Ramsey 165) This in turn is related to various cultural developments, which concern the issue of disenfranchised Black youth in Western societies. In this sense, the modern history and origins of contemporary Rap music style can be traced back to the perceptions of social and racial prejudice and the struggle for equality."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the African American entertainment styles of minstrelsy and gangsta rap. The essay contains a lengthy discussion of the differences and similarities in these styles of music. Finally, it presents a discussion that supports the author's thesis that gangsta rap is the new minstrelsy.
From the Paper "The development of African American music closely parallels the history of African Americans. African American history is rich and begins with the first slave capture in the 16th century. Decades of slavery followed, until the signing of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. Following the proclamation, African Americans were slowly integrated into American society as free people."
In the 21st century, exemplary African Americans like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, and Jesse Jackson slowly moved the African American population to greater equality with white Americans. The 21st century saw the end of segregation in schools and public places, the rise of black power, and the continued development of a rich and unique African American culture. "
Abstract This paper deals with the what parents, older generation and the younger generation think about rap. It also, tells both sides (good and bad) of rap music and why it is perceived in different ways to diferent people.
From the Paper "Many people of the older generation dislike the younger generations? taste in music, mostly because the music has evolved to a new level. This level includes a lot of swearing and abusive language and sexual references. These explicit records have become readily available on the market for the youth of today. This level of music is different to the level of obscene language that was around in the younger days of the older generation. In their day and age, there were no records that provoked swearing, sex and other themes."
Tags: generation, generations, parents, reflective, society
Abstract While, rap music has its roots in the ghettos of the USA and black culture, it is now a full-scale industry that caters to the disenfranchised youth of America and bridges all gaps of culture and social levels. This paper examines the violent implications of rap music, including promiscuity and sexuality, and discusses whether it contributes to the growing trend of violence in America and throughout the world.
From the Paper "Insights from street scripts echo and amplify the analyses of scholars seeking to understand and transform everyday slave mentalities and how they operate as obstacles to social justice. The concept of "dangerous Others," which was named and explicated by Dwight Conquergood (1992), is key to the ill-logic of modern-day slave mentalities. Focusing specifically on youth gangs, he notes that they "are constructed in public discourse as the cause, effect, and aberrant response to urban decay." Thus, other social forces and institutions are absconded from any responsibility."
A discussion on how female rap artists such as Queen Latifah, Madame Star, Ndegeocello, and Sandy Denton have managed to become successful in the industry.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 6 sources, 2006, $ 71.95
Abstract This paper discusses female rap artists such as Queen Latifah, Madame Star, Ndegeocello, and Sandy Denton and the formidable audiences they have attracted by largely going against the grain of the ho and bitch image portrayed by their male counterparts. The paper explains that, where early rappers sang about the oppression of blacks in general, with a particular focus on the oppression of black males, Sandy Denton, of Salt-N-Peppa, has made it big by rapping about sexism.
