The Effects Of Rap On Inner Cities

Thesis

Do you believe that one’s words can reflect on a certain person’s action? Today, Rap has become the most popular type of music in the US. The Rap industry is dominated by artists’ who mostly dedicate their lyrics to either violence, drugs, or sex. Through 1998 and 1999 the survey taken by the National Music Bureau, stated that 46% of the listeners of Rap are under the age of 19. While 65% of the listeners, live in run-down homes, or impoverished areas, usually being inner cities. The National Music Bureau also reported that in the 66% of the listeners of Rap who are under the age of 19, 86% of those teen-agers are black. Along with that fact, many of the artists sing about their ghettos, and their past ways of life, which included, drugs, sex, murder, and alcohol. The listeners of rap living in run down areas in the inner cities see themselves in the same situation as many of the rap artists’, and duplicate what they hear. So although a person may be responsible for his or her action, rap music dramatically affects the lives of America’s inner cities and slums.

In this day and age, of the biggest problems in America has become teen pregnancy. 68% of 18-year old have had sexual intercourse, while half of 17-year old have had sexual intercourse. To add to that, 6 in 10 girls between the ages of 18-19 become pregnant. While pregnancy rates among teens continue to rise, rappers continue to rap and call themselves “Playa’s” and rap about their, “bitches,” and sexual encounters. In a song titled “The B.I.G” Notorious B.I.G AKA Biggie Smalls says “Please don’t shoot up your guns, ‘cause one of these ladies will be havin’ my baby.” Of the 66% of the listeners of rap, who are under the age of 19, 26% of them are women. Biggie is promoting sexual activity, and a bad message is being sent out to all women. Another important fact is that every year 3 million teens; about 1 in 4 sexually experienced teens acquire a Sexually Transmitted Disease (S.T.D). Another rapper, “Masta’ Pimp” begins each song by saying “Pimpin’ Aint Easy!” In a song by Masta’ Pimp titled “The Way of Life,” Masta’ Pimp says “From the ghetto to where all my hooches at, I’ll ride for life, f$%# da condoms, ‘cause I’ll f$%@ all da’ bitches for life.” While Masta’ Pimp talks about his “hooches” in his ghetto, 60% of sexually active teens between the ages 15-19 ...

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...n the cities of New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Detroit. Also, in 37% of violent crimes committed in inner cities, the offender was high on some sort of drug, usually being marijuana. The bureau also stated proved that in 20% of un-planned pregnancies, one of the participants was intoxicated. And, 92% of the time the baby came out with a deformity.
When researching what kind of affect rap has on America’s inner-cities, there is only one conclusion to come to. Yes, many people may say that people should be able to take responsibility for their own actions, but the statistics, and the eye-witness encounters has proven that rap does have a negative affect on America’s inner-cities.

Works Cited

1) Bureau of Justice Statistics

2) http://www.ojp.udoj.gov/bjs/cvcivtgen.htm – Criminal Victimization

3) Facts in Brief: Teen Sex and Peganancy http://www.agi-usa.org/pubs/fb _ teen_ sex.html

4) Encarta 98 Encyclopedia

5) Groilers Encyclopedia

6) Violent Crimes: Drugs and Alcohol http://www.rom.pubs/atest/org.html 7) The Official Website of The Music Television http://www.mtv.com 8) The National Bureau of Music Distribution
http://www.nbmd.musc.org.html