Hip-Hop Analytical Essay by Peter Pen

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.