Hi All,
I know you've got a lot of work to do--so this blog question will be scored differently than usual. If you reply to this post you will receive a homework credit (thus adding points to your overall grade). If you choose not to respond--you will NOT be penalized. So...here's the question:
In chapter 3, Reeves discusses the rise of a new set of hip-hop pioneers; Run D.M.C. Towards the end of the chapter Reeves writes about how Tipper Gore (Al Gore's wife) blamed rap music for promoting and encouraging violence among youths. In February 0f 2008, hip-hop duo Dead Prez saw a near riot occur at their Evergreen State concert when the emcees encouraged concert goers to prevent a campus policewoman from arresting a spectator. To what extent, if at all, is rap responsible for social behavior?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Hip-Hop & Violence
Posted by Mr. P at 9:35 AM
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31 comments:
I believe rap is somewhat of a cause to this violent behavior, but it should not be the only cause. For one, rap isn’t always violent, and two the people that listen to the violent rap are not inclined to be violent. I see it as people can not separate themselves between what they hear or see in movies or music and bring it into their daily life causing conflict and unnecessary drama. If I hear someone rapping about how he killed a person over a dice game, I have to choice to see it as his creativity and a way of expressing emotion, I don’t have to go out and commit a violent act myself. Some people just try to show they are tough or have power and they use rap to justify their actions.
I agree and disagree that rap is a cause of violent behavior. I do believe that rap is a cause of violent behavior, but only if you allow rap to affect you in a violent manner. Listening to rap does not determine the amount of anger one possess, it is a means of expression of violence and aggressive emotion. Though the rhythms and beats that rap has can affect the mood of a person. For instance, one might listen to a common song and feel content, sane and happy, same scenario with one of Lil Wayne’s many “aggressive" rap songs a person could think and even react to violence. This could be a thought of an enemy that that person wants to get back at or actually act on that angry emotion. But I do believe that if a person kills someone its because they wanted to not because of the music. In the end it all depends on the self assurance that a song will not affect an action of violence from you.
To me, rap is all about who the baddest one is and who the realest person is, meaning, who is the most 'gangsta.' Iv'e dealt with friends who think they are the baddest people on the face of the earth and their mindset shows by the way they dress and the music they love to listen to, such as Lil' Wayne, who is the most infamous rapper out there. But, I think rap is partially responsible for social behavior, social behavior is also caused by the environment in which one is brought up. If a person is raised in Englewood for example, and rap songs about drugs, murder and money is all they hear around them besides the sounds of guns going off, then they may grow into the mindset of violence.
Rap music supports self expressions. In any case it supports people to show and tell others what they feel should and shouldn't be. In many cases rao is the cause of some violence. But it's not the only cause. There comes a time where one should know their place and know when there is a good and bad time to express your feelings. this being one of them. The people that listen to rap music have the oppurtunity to not listen to it, and they have the oppurtunity to listen to it and not act upon it.
Rap is never responsible for social behavior. Why? Because Rap is not a thing. You cannot blame rap for your actions. Rap is not required to live. If you want to blame rap for violence, that can be yes. Rap is a music that influences many listeners today. People classify rap into two categories. Gangsta rap and regular rap. If Gangsta rap is real, that is the rap that talks about killings and all of this other stuff and it influences young people the most. Based on what was said, it is apparent that rap is not responsible for someone’s behavior. Rap may and may not affect someone’s social behavior.
I don't think rap is "responsible" for violence. I believe the person who commits the violent act is responsible. But I do believe it has a huge influence on violence and some songs may be interpreted as a supporter of violence. Rappers are automatically looked at as cool and they serve as an influence on what kids think is cool. All of these rappers are rapping about being so street and hood and shooting guns that kids think that's cool. So instead steering kids away from guns and violence they steer kids toward it. But as far as blaming rap for the violence in society, I don't think you can. Music doesn't make people violent, they may encourage someone to be violent but they don't make anyone do anything.
I do believe that rap music will sometimes be the cause of violent acts, but rap never told someone to go and start a riot. I feel that some people don't have enough control over themselves to not be influenced by the things that rap music says. We have to remember that rap music is to teach us about different things around our communities. If one feels the need to address their feelings towards a certain rap song, we should take action in an adequate manner, not in a form of a riot. Some people can listen to rap music and loose control over themselves because they want to show everyone how they feel, but there are others who have control over themselves and act in an orderly fashion. So yes, rap music can be the cause of violent acts, but it depends on the person whether or not he/she is going to be influenced by it.
I don't believe rap is responsible so to speak for violence but the person themsleves are responsible. Media influences or music and television influences period are only influences if a person chooses to buy into what the song says or what the media wants people to believe. There are some rap songs out there that promote togetherness and not talking about killing people, so do they get credit for "influencing" people to do something good? So therefore rap is not an influence unless the person chooses to be influenced.
Rap is capable of putting violent behavioral ideas into the listeners mind. Whether the listener chooses to act out the ideas, is their own responsibility. For example, Run-D.M.C's Raising Hell Tour sparked many controversies. One of its social messages (Proud to Be Black) could be the reason why a group of black kids decided to go on a vandalism spree after one of the concerts. Although Run-D.M.C. didn't actually tell or promote this violent behavior, their listeners got the idea from one of their songs/ overall messages. Run-D.M.C. should not be held responsible for their actions, but their music defiantly had an influence on it.
My feelings toward this happens to be neutral. Verses within hip hop may portray violence. But, hip hop suppose to be a way in expressing problems and feeling. At the same time, rappers and artists period are role models to the public. Those words may not be to intentionally cause violence but this is the way it is being interpreted. Most rappers are just tough through lyrics, and this is the way to get street credit. Individuals doesn't notice this, they only notice the violent illustration in these songs. This problem only falls back on hip hop because music artists are "role models". Violence also falls back on the public as a whole for not being able to notice "real talk" from the "rich- lyrics". It is all up to that individual to act upon what they hear!!
Although the youth is always influenced by everything that is going on round them, we have the ability to make our own choices. The media plays a huge role on what is defined to be cool or lame but ultimately the youth should be held responsible for their actions. Rappers constantly speak about shooting, drinking and sex but if a person is going to kill someone it is not right for music artist to be responsible. As young adults, we comprehend what is wrong or right and have the mentality to make good choices.
Of course, music artist have a responsibility too. Knowing they are powerful influences in peoples lives, they should do right to promote morals because sometimes we do have those young people who don’t know where to steer without directions. Together, people can work to promote peace and anti-violent acts.
I agree with the people who said rap is not responsible for a person violent behavior, that individual is. Rap is an art form a way for people to express themselves. The rapper could be going through a real tough time and what he write is out of anger and people take it how they want. I don't think the rapper/writer wrote the song to try to get people to do harmful things, some just interpret the song in a way where it upset them. At the concert Dead Prez talked the concert goers into the riot. They didn't quiet the crowd down, play one of their songs, then the crowd broke out into a riot. They simply talked the audience into the riot not their music. Rap is not the blame for one's actions the person who committed those acts are.
I believe that rap doesn't have anything to do with social behavior. Rap can't make a person do anyhting that they don't want to do. I think that a peron's behavior depends on the person. People do what they want to do and they should not put the blame on music. If a person doesn't have enough sense to realize that they are not supposed to do what they hear rappers rap about then that is their fault and they shouldn't listen to rap music.
I believe that rap doesn't have anything to do with social behavior. Rap can't make a person do anyhting that they don't want to do. I think that a peron's behavior depends on the person. People do what they want to do and they should not put the blame on music. If a person doesn't have enough sense to realize that they are not supposed to do what they hear rappers rap about then that is their fault and they shouldn't listen to rap music. Rap can't influence a person to do anything they don't want to do. It should only be regarded as entertainment and shouldn't be taken seriously.
I dont believe that rap is the really that much responsible to socail behavior. Alot of things that are in rap music are already in the social aspect of the world and rappers just feed off of that. People dont really see that rap artist get what they talk about from what they see people doing.
Yes. Yes. Yes, Hip-hop is responsible for violence. Our youth are easily influenced in certain times of their young innocent lives. And if a 10 year old boy hears older people who they lokk up to talkling about killing and drugs the kid are going to do just the rapper.
Rap is (if at all) responsible for social behavior by a very slim margin. I believe that at the end of the day peoples actions are brought on by their own personal inner feelinds. Whether or not music brings that out is up for debate. But, you can not blame an artist or a genre of music for anyones behavior. A person chooses when to act or not act during certain situations. I think that people always attempt to place a negative connotation behind rap music....I believe rap music is something that is (and probably will always be) a misunderstood genre of music..
i think that rap has a big say-so in what goes on in society, but at the same time people can't just listen to music and feel the need that they can take violent actions. Yes rap music does sometime solicite violent behavior, but it also solicites good things. I think certain artist that have many fans and gets much respect can talk thier fans into doing something violent because the fans look up to them and they want to impress them. Rap music is not the only cause for violence. Music is just a form of expression, a way for artist to speak out to people about thier life and thier struggles and get thier message across. People are entertained by the music they put out and are influeneced, but at the same time they have a choice to make a decision on thier own and do the right thing.
I believe that rap is in fact a main cause of violence. This is because the topics that rap talks about are defensive topics. Rap is now feelings peole emotions with rage and anger. On the other hand rap is not an excuse for peoples hateful actions. If you dont care for rap why listen to it? America today is very good at that blaming others for their mistakes. Most peole get fiction confused with reality. Meaning what you see on television doesn't always apply to you. Some people arent to sure of them self and they think rap will make them feel better. I guess violence is the key for some.
It's understandable why some people blame rap music for violent behavior, however, all in all it shouldn't be blamed. If someone wants to go and do crazy things, its not rap music's fault, it's the person who committed the crime. Rap is freedom of expression. It's not fair for it to get blamed for something that it has no control over. Sure, rappers can rap about more upbeat topics, but its for them to decide. Us, as a human race, should understand how literal we need take their lyrics. We need to know just how far we should go
Rap today seems to be at the top of popularity charts, which means that everyone is listening to it. This also means that there will be some type of influence on others. But rap and rap artist today are there to make money with what they do best. It isn't no different than the companies that make cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, and unhealthy foods. It all has some type of negative effect on us, but no one cares because it's all about the money. I think that rap artist do promote violence for there benefits. Only because people already like violence, and in order to do their job they must promote certain actions like violence. So to some extent (not the fullest) rap is responsible for social behavior.
Do I consider rap music to be violent? Yes,becuase gansta is just that about survival on some of the most drug infested neighborhoods of America, butis not equal to the violence created by the mne in suits. I believe on avaerage rap can be seen as responsible for violence because it is descriptive in its language to create images of explicit things. But the truth is Rap is NOT Responsible for violence as a whole. I believe to a certain extent rap music has an stimulating effect on the youth, such as myself. But after that excitement of understanding and feeling a song due to your personal experience, its your mind - morals and ethics that are responsible for the actions that follow. If I didnt have religion, I would probably depend on the music I listen to for social behavior.
Rap could affect social behavior depending on the listener. If the listener easily manipulated, than that listener could get the impression that the rap artists are encouraging violence. But if the listener was smart and understands that what they are listening to is a song and not a message persuading them to riot, than rap has nothing to do with violence. The listener is responsible for violence because they listen to a song and reenact the song when the artist never did any of the things in the song.
Oh yes I do believe rap music is somewhat responsible for violence today. Completely responsible? No! It does have a huge influence on our youth! Especially when the children are as young as 12 and under because they think the rappers are cool and they want to be just like them. But as far as grown men and teenagers who are able to tell the difference between right and wrong...you can't blame anyone but yourself! This reminds of an interview T.I. had about his "gangster rap music" influencing young people and being responsible for their actions. T.I. only took responsibility to a certain extent. And I feel like rappers like him, Lil Wayne, and Young Jeezy have to realize that kids look up to them and they admire what they do whether its good or bad. But our people have to learn common sense also though it's not really common!
To a certain extent I believe that rap has a little bit of social behavior toward problems. I believe that rap is like a way of expressing idealism from the mind. So it’s really the people that cause trouble not really music because music is a song with a message but you have the choice of either following that message or not. It doesn't control you it more than likely gives a message and/or idea.
The rap scence definetly encourages social behavior. Like for instances, many of the words (slang) people use most often came from some rappers song, like calling a girl a (bussa). Many people idolize these rap superstars and like idiots, will do a lot of the things the suggest. That hardcore, thugged out image that record labels sell really does affect society. Now I dont agree that rap is solely responsible for all social behavior bec ause that would be going a little far. However, some of the things that take place during concerts, and after, like the policewoman incident suggests the rap music and its stars are somewhat responsible for social behavior.
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