The Role of Hip-Hop in the Lives of Adolescents

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Here’s a task… Ask an individual one of the factors that may cause unacceptable behavior in adolescence. The culprit is Hip-hop. This genre of music receives a bad reputation for its violent, overly sexualized and graphic lyrics. Stereotypically, a typical rap video may consist of an African-American male, riding in the newest car, accompanied with one or more attractive female. This image although it may seem very simplistic poses different implications on both male and female adolescence. The messages sent out are different and without proper guidance, an individual perception of beauty and values on life may change. Rap is an expression of art, where individuals try to escape reality. It is a presumption that adolescence are risk-takers and are easily influenced by the media. The images that are portrayed in rap videos, may influence an adolescent male to think that certain lifestyle is ideal and it is the path to success. This research will examine the implications rap videos have on the mindset of young men in America. In addition, to young men, what messages are sent out to adolescent female viewers? In this research, the terms “hip-hop” and rap are used interchangeability. Grandmaster Flash and Kool Herc are known as the founders of the development of rap music, which was the newest genre emerging in the 1970s. During 1980s, according to Grandmaster Flash, rap was a tool to call attention to the harsh conditions individuals endure in inner cities. Later, gangsta rap manifested as a result of Grandmaster Flash's song, "The Message." As a result of the song’s explicit and violent lyrics, political controversy began to arise. Rappers protested against police brutality and exposed the realities of violence in the communities ... ... middle of paper ... ...ear cool. Overall, all of the interviewees gave similar answers. It appears that rap music is mainly entertainment but there enact behaviors may be linked to rap whether its lyrics or the video. I believe that adolescence aren’t aware of the negative messages that are expressed in rap videos, they are attracted to the beat or the rhymes and puns in the lyrics. Works Cited Richardson, Jeanita W. and Scott, Kim A. “Rap Music and Its Violent Progeny: America's Culture of Violence in Context” The Journal of Negro Education 71. 3, Juvenile Justice: Children of Color in the United States (2002) Sullivan, Rachel E. “Rap and Race: It's Got a Nice Beat, but What about the Message?” Journal of Black Studies 33.5 (2003) Peterson, Shani E. “Images of Sexual Stereotypes in Rap Videos and the Health of African American Female Adolescents” Journal of Women’s Health 16 (2007)

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