...2 Courtney Mustoe Does Rap music Misrepresent African Americans? There are many genera’s in today’s music world. Depending on who a person is, and what their emotions may be, there will always be a song or genera that one can relate to. Some music helps us relax, while others help us to get pumped up. Other music helps us study while some get us ready to party. Music can create closeness with a significant other while sometimes it can relate to our sorrows of a breakup. It can make us happy when we are sad, while in curtain circumstances make us sad when we are happy. Music can take over our thoughts and emotions that create a story we can relate to or a story we are unfamiliar with. It can take us down a street we have never been before. In some aspects this could be a problem. Some listeners might think all country singers are hicks from the south or mid west. Many might assume every punk rocker is a rebellious Goth. So if these presumptions can be made, what is there to stop people from letting a genera of music represent a certain race in our society today? In the past, music was limited by certain branches of music that could air on the radio and one genera in particular, rap, had to fight its way through the music industry to be heard. Its roots came from the hip-hop culture which includes rapping, graffiti, break dancing, DJing (audio mixing or scratching) ect. After rap was recognized, over the years, changes within the music industry and what the media...
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...Portrayal of Women in Rap and Music Videos :: 4 Works Cited Length: 1724 words (4.9 double-spaced pages) Rating: Blue Price: $24.95 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Misogyny and degradation of women is present in almost every genre of music, yet the one genre that completely revolves around demeaning women is rap. Over the years rap and rap music videos have continually become more sexual and degrading towards women. Rap has been criticized numerous times for this reason, and that is because rap is one of the most popular genres of music for the younger generations. It is more than a genre of music, it is a complete industry filled with clothing and other merchandise. The reason this constant demeaning of women exists is because rap as a genre that rewards the objectification of women. The excuses used to justify the misogyny in rap are incomplete and lack accurate support. The most effective way for this continuous cycle ends, is if the fight and protest comes from the women themselves. Men are the problem in the objectification of women but in order for it to stop, women need to step up and take control of the situation. Women need to act sooner rather than later because in recent years the rap industry has become more and more sexual. Ra... ... middle of paper ... ...Society 113 (2000): 255-69. JSTOR. 29 November 2009 . McLune, Jennifer. "Hip-Hop's Betrayal of Black Women." Perspective on Contemporary Issues. 5th...
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...The Rap Culture’s Negative Side In America women are supposed to be equal to men. In rap music though, it is portrayed that men are superior to women. Rap music was created in the 1970s and it is a fast growing culture. Rap has “taken the center stage in both the music and television worlds” (why we need to…). This is a problem in our society because women are not portrayed fairly in rap music. This has a negative effect on how the audience perceives women. Rap culture can influence men to think of women as sex objects, normalize domestic abuse, and can instill misogynistic views towards women. Sex is a big part of rap music and culture. It is mentioned in the majority of songs at an alarming number. This has a big influence on males. Rap music contains very explicit content of sexual acts, sexual thoughts, and sexual images. The problem is that most rap songs aren’t about love. The songs are only about the act of sex with a lot...
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...2013 How Women Are Portrayed in Music In today’s society, the genres of rap and R&B are one of the most popular forms of music. Conversely, the ideas and lyrics of many songs fall into these genres tend to be violent, offensive, vulgar and sexist. We can see that sexism in rap music is apparent through the negative portrayal of women found in both the lyrics and music videos. This is an important issue because rap is so popularized today that these negative depictions of women, especially African American women, is potentially giving its viewers the idea that it is acceptable to treat women in such demeaning ways. Most of the time, we do not comprehend the message that is being sent through songs we listen to. We as society need to become more conscious of the music we listen to. Over the years, rap and rap music videos have repetitively become more and more sexual and degrading towards women. Rap has been criticized various times for this reason. The excuses used to justify the misogyny in rap are inadequate and lack accurate support. The most effective way for this continuous cycle to end is if the fight and protest comes from the women themselves. Men are the problem in the objectification of women but in order for it to stop, women need to step up and take control of the situation. Misogyny and degradation of women does exist in almost every genre of music, yet the Elmhorst 2 one genre that completely revolves around belittling women is rap. The topic of women being...
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...Research Evaluation: The Behavior of African American People through Hip Hop Music Papi Jean Florida Memorial University Introduction The Growth of Hip Hop in America As hip hop continues to grow into a major aspect of the modern African American culture, the studies intend to distinguish the mass outlook of black people in America. It is incredible that this single genre of music has transformed into a vital communication mechanism for an entire race and may even become larger in future generations of African American people. The other races, in America, have gotten an idea of African Americans through the controversial rap music in which black people use to communicate with each other, and outsiders; the non-blacks. The study revolves mainly around the attitudes which have deemed as common in the black culture; rap music has always been open for interpretation which can lead to danger. The music has become so popular and influential to the youth that many crimes have been linked to the music which fuels an efficient form controversy in America. Do people receive the negative aspects of rap more than the positive aspects? If so, then why? Also, why are the positive approaches of hip hop not made commercial rather than the sex, drugs, and violence? There is belief that the music has a great influence on how the other races in America view the black culture. It is not certain whether rap music is more negative than positive, but it is obviously a notorious topic for many...
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...members in hip hop "gangster rap", and was the co-founder of Ruthless Records. The first to represent thug life as gangsters do it, and telling of his life story of growing up in the streets of Los Angeles California. Hip Hop Music Turns Gangster Rap And Brings Violence. During mid 1980s into the early 1990s the music industry had a serious change in the culture of music. That not only had the type of music change, but rapping about the degrading of women, racially and sexually into the violence of war between gangster’s thugs and the LA PD. The Americans at the time when easy E started his performance as a rap artist, did not realize there was already a war in the streets of Los Angeles. His music was stereotyped as the cause of many killings when committed due to a drive by shootings. It was automatic assumingly made by local gangsters. Because of this new gangster rap music. N.W.A Ruthless Records Co-Founded By A LA Gangster Made A Change In The Music Industry. Eric Lynn Wright, AKA easy E was and still is "the godfather of gangster rap". Easy was a solo performer in the music industry. Music artists like easy e, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Snoop doggy Dogg, had changed the update of music in the American culture. Rappers of the streets of L.A, gang banging with lyrics of street life style as thugs, surrounding in violence, police brutality and prostitution. Easy E “straight out of Compton" was a gangster, and a drug dealer, a man with many women. However Eric, had a dream...
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...Rap Culture in Comparison to the Tone of Hughes and Brooks Today it is hard to get into a car and turn on the radio without hearing a song about money, sex, or fame. Modern day rap culture tries to force those three things on our population through their music and lyrics. They have changed many people’s perception of the perfect life through their tone, music, and lyrics. Many poems help express and can relate to the tone of the modern day rap culture. The tone in the poems, “Red Silk Stockings” by Langston Hughes, and “We Real Cool” by Gwendolyn Brooks, can be tied to the tone in rap culture and express many modern American values. Rap culture in the twenty first century has exponentially grown and in turn has influenced daily American live. Today, everyone is exposed to this new rap culture that is developing everywhere. Rap culture started in about the 1970’s in New York City (Sullivan). In those days rap was about everyday life and race but has greatly change since then. Rap songs these days are all about sex, money, drugs, women, cars, and practically any material thing. Many songs talk about how rich the rappers are and the extravagant ways they live. Most songs in rap culture have poor grammar and language. These songs are crude and talk about women only as sex. The view points of modern day rappers are extremely clouded because of what they talk about and how they live. The tone of the Hughes and Brooks poems help to show the tone and expression of modern day rap culture...
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...The Despicable Content in Hip-Hop Music – Making Plato Turn in his Grave In a city where each individual is able to do as he pleases is a city that will be filled with murder, theft, gluttony, deviance and prejudice. Hip-Hop artists, in their music, constantly incorporate these aspects of life within the content of their lyrics. This content is not only described throughout their songs, but the lifestyle of being able to do such things is constantly being advocated. “F*ck the Police” and “Beat a police out of shape and when I'm finished, bring the yellow tape to tape off the scene of the slaughter” (Rap Genius) are lyrics from the song “F*ck the Police” by the world renown hip hop group, NWA. This is one of many Hip-Hop groups that promote violence through music. Other songs such as “She swallowed It” and “Dopeman” both promote greediness, “lawless desires”, sexism and being promiscuous. If Plato were alive today to bear witness to Hip Hop music he would have despised the content of these songs, as the aforementioned contents of this type of music are all aspects of society in what he calls the “Luxurious City” and the “Purged City” and go against his idea of a just society. Hip-Hop’s first major concept that is addressed time and time again throughout its lyrics is the concept of Greed. Greed is defined as an “intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food.” (Oxford) Many Hip-Hop songs address accumulation of wealth (among other things)...
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...THE MEANING OF 'INDEPENDENT WOMAN'' IN MUSIC MiA MOODY Introduction Rapper Roxanne Shanté's 1989 rendition of "Independent Woman," explored relationships and admonished women not to dote on partners who do not reciprocate or to buy into the fairytale dream that a man would always take care of them. The definition of an "Independent Woman" in the Urban Dictionary, a predominantly African American written and defined Web site, is "A woman who pays her own bills, buys her own things, and does not allow a man to affect her stability or self-confidence. She supports herself on her own entirely and is proud to be able to do so." Another depiction of independence is found in Tina Portis' video clip titled the "Deception of the Independent Woman" posted to YouTube in 2010. Portis, an entrepreneur and former single mother, offers her opinion on statistics showing 42% of U.S. black women have never been married and are "independent" because they focus on achievement, often waiting too long to compete for the small number of black men who are equal in status (Johnson, 2010). In the video, she asserts that independent women do not need a pat on the back for doing what grownups are supposed to do: pay their bills, buy houses and cars, etc. She adds that independence discourages relationships as people begin to believe they can do everything alone, so they do not need a mate. Mia Moody, PhD, is a professor of journalism at Baylor University. She is the author of ...
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...Plenty of rappers try to help with their community. When rappers say get out of the ‘’hood’’ they do not mean leave the community in danger. All rappers rap to speak the truth, not to say that they are a threat. They speak about their background and where they are coming from.The words they use means something, and most of the time it’s positive. Rap causes teens to do violent activities such as gangs, guns, and rob to rob people Parents should prevent kids to listen to rap and plenty of topics in rap. Kids all across the U.S. have committed crimes and there first response is ‘’such and such said this is cool,so i did it’’. Kids who know better would not get themselves into that type of predicament. The kids who were raised around terrible homes and terrible surroundings are causing that kid to act out. Civilians and kids are gonna listen to rap no matter what, and there's billionaires such as white people who listen to some rap. Don’t let the focus on the lyrics of rap keep you from enjoying perfectly good...
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...gone from the slums, to the suburbs, and into larger corporate rooms. McDonald’s, Addidas, Nike, Coca Cola, Sprite, and other corporate giants have capitalized on this phenomenon. Although critics of Rap music and the Hip-Hop culture seemed to be fixated on the messages of sex, violence, and harsh language Hip- Hop has potential to unify individuals and promote change. This genre of music has transformed generations across the country. Hip- Hop possesses a level of maturity and a sense of cultural belongingness that has become a protest form for people all over the world. The art form, now simply known as Hip- Hop, began with three New Yorkers: Busy Bee Starski, DJ Hollywood, and DJ Afrika Bambaataa; they are credited for creating the term Hip-Hop. It all began in the early 1970’s with house parties and basement beat shaking music in upstate New York. The beats were very melodic, Africanized, and soulful. Hip-Hop is music for Blacks and Latinos who were isolated from the main stream popular music Rock and Roll. It housed several components: Rapping (MC’ing), Break dancing, Graffiti, and Street types of sport games. Black and Latinos celebrate themselves in these different art forms and it has now grown to a world revolution. According to Terri Adams, when the term Rap was first used by African Americans it...
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...Rap music contributes to violent crime due the offensive statements on its lyrics. Most of its songs contribute to women’s devaluation thorough stereotype, discrimination and illustrating them as objects. As a matter of fact, rap music is supported by this society throughout the use of languages that devalued women and by treating women’s bodies as objects. Tran R. (2016) argues, since childhood men are taught to see women as objects, but they are people with feelings, wants, and needs. Also, men are taught how to be a proper man and that women are weak, which make them feel superior than women. These are the principal factors that cause the violence against women, which creates indifference regarding women’s rights and safety. From a long...
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...What effects does rap have on teen’s language and behavior? Rap is a popular type of music in today’s society. Rap is influenced and inspired by other types of music. Its influences are closely related to each other. Rap music has derived from various types of music. In a world in which people are constantly confronted with violent acts such as rape, assault, murder, school shootings, and other violence. Rap has many different effects on teen’s language and behavior. Some negative some positive. When most people think of rap music today they immediately think of the gangster mentality, drug dealing, fighting, smoking, and killing. Rap paints a picture to a child of what is going on in the streets. It has a much bigger influence on teens because children who live in poverty strictened areas already have an idea of what that life is really like. Lots of times it comes down to children wanting to be considered "cool". If you are a teenager, being cool probably is a top priority to you. Lots of times you will find that teens are relating with one particular emotion that is expressed in the music. Some teens feel that way because their parents don’t take the time out to listen to them or the problems they have. When parents connect with their teen, it makes them feel complete and they will normally begin to open up more to their parents. Many teens feel like rap and hip-hop relates to their life or lifestyle. As a teen some music I listen to does relate to part of the way people live...
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...Many people believe rap music encourages violence amongst women as well as gang violence. While research has found that a preference for rap music is associated with higher rates of drug and alcohol use, arrests, and sexual promiscuity, but these problems often begin before young people start listening to rap. Not all rap music has bad content within them. In Marseille, France, rap and hip hop are thriving musical forms, and many residents believe that the positive effects of this music are the reason why poor North African neighborhoods in the region didn't suffer the rioting seen in other areas of Paris, There's no factual proof of it making kids violent. Some rap songs display a good message about life. Many people speculate that rap music...
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...a form of African-American street culture in New York City during the 1970s (Watkins, 2001), but the art has expanded to become a multi-billion dollar industry (Atkinson & Halliday, 2003), mostly due to the success of rap music, the most widely publicized and marketed aspect. Media such as television and magazines are responsible for hip-hop’s global recognition today, allowing everyone from the United States to Germany and Korea to embrace the culture (Bennett, 1999). Hip-hop culture has made an enormous transition from its beginning stages to its current state. Early hip-hop reduced inner-city gang violence, as aspects such as the break dancing and rapping acted as positive outlets for at-risk youth, but the emergence of “gangsta” and commercial rap during the 1990s severely lessened the emphasis on non-violence (Watkins, 2001). Today, media associate hip-hop culture with drugs, sex, and violence (Yousman, 2003). This research paper will analyze advertisements in hip-hop magazines, with the aim of discovering how women are depicted. Specifically, this paper will examine how the majority of advertisements within three major hip-hop magazines in the United States depict women in a manner that both reinforces male dominance in American society and depicts women as sexual objects. This paper will also explain and demonstrate how the media images are functioning according to Professor George Gerbner’s cultivation theory. Several scholarly sources deal with hip-hop culture and...
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