With everyone talking about how the music of today can be a negative influence on youth, no one really talks about how great the influence can become. Yes, there are a multitude of bands and artists out there that write lyrics that can be interpreted the wrong way, and can really mold the mind of a young person into something that is going to head in the wrong direction; but there are also tons of groups out there that relay a positive message to the crowd. Let’s start with the negative influences.
Rap music, in my opinion, is by far the worst when it comes to morals and messages that are leading the kids today. I am talking about modern rap, not the good beat, tap your toes, bob your head hip-hip of Run DMC, which is great music. But today’s rappers are more interested in the shock value, or proving “street cred” than they are about realizing that kids look up to them and idolize what they do. In the song “Regulators” by Nate Dog and Warren G, the intro is “you gotta be handy with the steel if you know what I mean, earn your keep.” So by listening to this, kids are able to figure out that in order to look cool for the rest of the group, you need to be able to walk the streets with a weapon. And this thought (not only this song) is why in the larger cities, we can see teens, young adults, even children being killed by gang violence.
The role of women in rap music is one that is far from coveted. In a popular song by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, “Bitches ain’t shit but hoes and tricks.” This can only teach kids to walk the streets and repeat this until it actually becomes fact for them. Degrading women is a long-time passion of popular rap, and it won’t come to an end anytime soon. As long as people still buy the albums, they lyrics will remain the same, because it sells. But this is only one genre of music.
At the other end of the spectrum- both musically and lyrically- lies Christian Rock groups: Underoath, MxPx, The Devil Wears Prada (TDWP), and August Burns Red. For the sake of fairness I will still only use a few examples to show the good that can be brought from positive music. In the song “Reptar, King of the Ozone,” TDWP sings “Bring it to your lips and experience the sulfur infect everything that we’ve created/ Don’t twist this around/ Don’t attempt to justify.” The members in this band are devote Christians and are firm in their beliefs. They are not afraid to show this passion and always ask the crowd to look into themselves to find a higher power. This is a long stretch from the messages that rappers put forward.
Christian rockers have a hard road in front of them, while they can get the blood flowing just as well as Ozzy can, they will always lack a certain following in the hardcore/ metal culture because of these lyrics. But they are not running away to play gospel music either, they stand strong and do what they love. If one audience member can get turned on to Christian Rock/ Metal, then that’s one more person that will tell friends and spread the word.
I realize that the topic was to discuss the negative influence that music has, but I feel that if we only discuss one side, then the positive messages in music will remain hidden. I have nothing against rap in general, but I wanted to use examples that were available for everyone to see and hear. The lyrics I have used are extreme examples; there is an abundance of music that falls somewhere between the two.
I liked how you provided both ends of the spectrum. I didn't even think to really do that. I only focused on the negatives.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you regarding rap music having some of the worst morals being portrayed to youth. The shock factor is huge when they say some of the things that they do. I feel like I've heard some fairly degrading things said in country music, too, though. However, it's never nearly as crude as rap sometimes explains. I feel like if degrading things are said in country music, it's almost done lightheartedly and in a joking type manner. For examply, Brad Paisley's "I'm Gonna Miss Her":
"Well I love her
But I love to fish
I spend all day out on this lake
And hell is all I catch
But today she met me at the door
Said I would have to choose
If I hit that fishin' hole today
She'd be packin' all her things and she'd
be gone by noon
Well I'm gonna miss her
When I get home
Right now I'm on this lakeshore
And I'm sittin' in the sun
I'm sure it'll hit me
When I walk through that door tonight
Ya I'm gonna miss her
Oh, lookie there, I've got a bite."
He's clearly saying that fishing is worth more to him than the woman is, but it's a funny song. It makes the listener smile.
I think the negativity in rap is just crude and sets such a bad example to youth.
Well done on your blog!
You really have a great point about what positive sides music has to offer the youth as well. I only mentioned the negative sides that music gives to the younger crowd. I feel very similar to the way you do about rap music because I have really noticed how much more rap music has become explicit. It wasn’t as bad in the 80’s and 90’s compared to the way it is today. It is impacting the behavior of the younger generation more each year. I really think that if the youth make a better effort to change there music habits to different types of music then we can really see a major change. The positive music can definitely over power the negative music. As for Christian music. It can have a dramatic affect on the youth, but they just need to be more influenced by it. Parents really need to monitor more what there children are listening to and try to introduce they to music that will benefit them in many different ways. I really liked how your blog made me more open minded on the positive influences music can have on today’s youth. I really look forward to reading more of your opinions on music.
ReplyDeleteHey I really enjoyed reading this blog, great job!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say that you wanted to show the positive side of music also instead of just the negative side. You picked really good examples to prove your points. Especially the snoop dog song you talked about. I have never heard any Christian rock songs so I wpouldnt know if they are really a good influence on the youth. I would like to to think so though because they are after all “Christian songs”. But not all rap music is a negative influence on kids. Just because some songs talk about walking the streets and acting like the thug doesn’t mean that kids are really going to take everything literally. I grew up listening to rap and hip hop and most of the time I was listening to this type of music I was not goung around joining gangs and doing drugs and things like that. As kids I belive that they do not really pay attention to the lyrics they just want to have the songs that are considered “cool” the kids are not worried or listening to what the artsit is trying to say. They just listen to what ever is “in” at the moment.
I also liked how you discussed both the negative and positive influences music has on people. I agree with you that the positive influence always takes the back burner. Society seems to only focus on the negativity when there are a lot of good messages and morals music can bring to light. I’m not saying that the negativity shouldn’t be brought to our attention, but I think that the negative influences always outshine the positive ones. We have a lot of the same opinions about rap music. I don’t have anything rap music in general but I agree with you about how rap music sends out the worst messages. I think it is horrible that society allows people to promote gangs, drugs, violence, disrespect and everything else rap music talks about, not to only kids but everybody and make it sound like it is the “cool” thing to do. I am not saying that all rap music today is like this. There are some rappers that send out good messages and morals but they are mostly underground and not a lot of people know about them. I hope that in the future rap music will go back to focusing on the beats and good things like when it first started in the 80s.
ReplyDelete