As I was thinking about what to write about for my post, I thought that the subject of rap music would be an interesting topic. According to a recent survey, 58% of Black youth said they listen to rap music every day, compared to 45% of Hispanic youth and 23% of White youth. I believe that rap music is an integrated aspect into our society, and that is gaining popularity whether we like it or not.
Where did rap music come from?
The roots of hip hop are found in Africa American music, dating back hundreds of years. Rap music can be traced back to the African cultural traditions of oral story telling, vocalization and other cultural aspects that were retained by the slaves who went to America. These slaves sung and told stories about their political and social desires for freedom from oppression. Even today, this fact of dealing with oppression has shaped many of the characteristics of current rap music.
Rap and Religion
While I was doing my research for this blog post, I came across a website from CA state University Long Beach, where Richard Manly had further delved into the topic of religion and rap. This is what he said, "I encourages music lovers to pay closer attention to the spiritual elements of rap. There was never any particular movement that came right out and said, Rap is spiritual. Secular mainstream hip-hop never declared itself that way. But people in the rap community can see the spiritual connections. When you’re in touch with the movement, you can see its spirituality.
An example of this is Kanye West- Jesus Walks
Apart from is spirituality, rap also can cause listeners to feel uplifted, a sense of hope, or they might learn some type of moral lesson. An example of this is Eminem's "When I'm Gone"
This is a touching song that advises listeners to make the most of life by living it to the fullest.
As a "remix" or Eminem's "When I'm Gone", here is a video by two Christian Korean rappers, who have changed the words. The words are all about facing challenges that God gives us, how we can endure, etc.
The Question
Rap is something that I have liked listening to ever since I can remember. I think my fascination with the musical genre came about when I was living in NYC, and I was around 11 years old. I was very exposed to rap and the type of culture that it entails, and I don't know why it has stuck with me this far into my life, but it definitely has. Having said that, I want to relate a story to you that happened to me when I was in 9th grade. I was in early morning seminary class in Southern California, and I remember my seminary teacher talking about how we need to steer clear from things that are poisonous and detrimental to our minds. She then continued by saying that music with inappropriate subject matter, language, etc, would fall into the category of things that we need to steer clear from. Then one of the other girls in my seminary class brought up an interesting contradiction. It was that rap music contains a lot of bad lyrics and subject matter, but that it also can be religious and uplifting. She was making the point that just because some of the rap music was "poisonous", not all of it was. So there is my question, do the benefits of rap outweigh the negatives? Is rap primarily a "bad" thing because it talks about subject matter that is inappropriate, or do its "religious and spiritual" qualities redeem it enough? Rap music has been blamed for just about anything. This includes teen pregnancies, teen drug use, violence, abusive behavior, etc. I couldn't find any studies concerning rap music and the increase of negative behaviors, but I can see that it could be a valid concern. What do you think? Are people just trying to blame rap because they dont want to take the responsibility for why there are teen pregnancies, violent beahvior, etc? Or is there a deeper connection? Going back to my main question once again, do raps disadvantages outweigh its benefits, or is it the other way around?
You pose an interesting question. I have never really thought as rap music being uplifting or religious. However, I can see how any genre of music can be a source of relief from the daily troubles and pain. After all, that's what religion can be- an outlet from their troubles and pain. For some people that's what rap music does. However, the majority of rap music doesn't have uplifting lyrics, so in my opinion the disadvantages of rap outweigh the benefits. When I'm in the mood to be uplifted/ feel the Spirit/ etc... I don't turn on rap. It is a personal thing though.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though I can totally relate to your blog post. Growing up around Washington D.C., I too was exposed to the "lifestyle" that rappers often rap about. I too listened to rap for two reasons...I liked the beats and the way the music seemed to flow...and I wanted to be cool. Although I still listen to rap from time to time, I find that the language, and message the rappers are talking about are not conducive to my lifestyle at this time in my life. (This is not referring to my LDS beliefs) I no longer cuss, unless I'm doing math, I keeps my pants up where they need to be and don't sag, and I haven't danced in a "freak train" at a high school dance in about 10 years.
ReplyDeleteEnough reminiscing, lets move on.
I would have to disagree with you. I don't believe that rap today is good. Although this might be viewed as the same mentality our grandparents thought when rock and roll came out, I feel this is totally different. These rappers, although most are rapping about the trials they faced in the "hood," are not what I would consider role models for our children. They portray unrealistic lifestyles, wear clothes that cost more than some families make in a year, and go through women like I go through Diet Cokes. (And that's saying somthing!) And yet pop culture today seems to want to aspire to their living standards. WHAT STANDARDS?!?
I would also venture to say that 99% of all of their songs are about drugs, promiscuity with more than one woman at a time, spending money like it means nothing, criminal acts, and breaking and disrespecting the law. Sure they come out with one song that mentions God, but I don't think that makes rap good to listen to. In fact, I would venture that the only time most rappers mention God is when they thank some award show for a recognition. But let me ask you this...what did God have to do with ANY of Lil' Waynes song or Snoop Doggs songs? God is so far removed from all of their songs!
Having said all of this, I still find myself listening to rap from time to time. In fact, just last night I watched a rap music video on Youtube called the "Stanky Leg." Although it had a great beat behind it, I found myself laughing and thought to myself "how is this popular?"
Rap, to me today is nothing more than music with a good beat. I don't look for God in rap, and I will never turn to rap to find God.