The Effects of Explicit Music

The Effects of Explicit Music

For years, popular music has involved pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and the negative effects of explicit music has outraged society. There is a fine line that divides vulgarity from artistic expression. Whatever the motive behind the explicitness of popular music, it has many negative consequences on our society and therefore should be stopped.

One reason why the popular music should be less explicit is because this may trigger feelings of aggression. Daniel Levitin, a prominent American cognitive psychologist, neuroscientist, record producer, musician, and writer (2006) claims, “As a tool for arousing feelings and emotions, music is better than language.” It is likely that music with negative or angry lyrics could provoke feelings of aggression just as a sad song brings a tear to your eye. Music affects the brain in ways that we are still trying to understand. One major subject of the research is how aggressive music affects brain function.

Another reason why explicit lyrics should be censored is because they may

encourage the listeners to engage in anti-social behavior, such as using drugs. In a story reported by CNN in February of 2001, London police officials were investigating whether rapper Eminem provoked British youth to use Ecstasy at one of his shows in Manchester, England. Although a lawsuit was never filed, the degree that rappers make illicit drug references in their lyrics, like Eminem’s “My mom smokes more dope than I do,” obviously has an influence on society. Celebrities are a powerful influence on some people because of their social position and their economic situation. Some members of society idolize and even imitate celebrities because of the media, ...

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Sprankel E. and End Christian, . "The Effects of Censored and Uncensored Sexually Explicit Music on Sexual Attitudes and Perceptions of Sexual Activity." Deepdyve. Zavier University, n.d. Web. April 2011. .