Kyianna Thomas 2fer #7

Kyianna Thomas

2fer # 7

4/23/18

Rap Vs. Actions

Rap is a genre of music that expresses its passion through  struggle. Artist today more than likely talk about how they have been through a lot. This type of music is listened to so much because of the  relateable lyrics and how overplayed it is on the radio for teens today. This is also the reason why rap gives off an negative vibe from children today. The most popular artists talk about violence, drugs, sex, and their struggles. Rap music has one of the strongest influences on younger generations because it’s  impressionable and struggle to differentiate between the utilization of trends for entertainment and actually participating in trends that can be harmful.

Teens today listen music that could influence the way they act when in danger. According to Nakia Jackson from Livestrong it states, “ Rap lyrics may discuss violence as a part of an exciting and dangerous lifestyle, but some songs condemn violence and even propose solutions.” This quotes shows that lyrics in a song could possible affect the way a child behaves. This is because the lyrics that artist use could are about where the artist grew up. The phrase “ dangerous lifestyle, but some songs condemn violence” shows that there are songs that a made that condemns violence which is listened to why the younger generations of children. This could affect how their lives are lived because some of these artist are role models for kids today. But what the artist actually never realizes is that the words they say are the actions that the younger children are taking to follow in their footsteps.

Rap music has been an issue in students’ everyday life, such as school, their emotions and the way they act towards adults. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics it states, “Research on popular music has explored its effects on schoolwork, social interactions, mood and affect, and particularly behavior. The effect that popular music has on children's and adolescents' behavior and emotions is of paramount concern. Lyrics have become more explicit in their references to drugs, sex, and violence over the years, particularly in certain genres.” This quote shows how the most recent and popular music affects students in their everyday lives, such as when a kids decides to make a bad decision. This could be a reason as to why students express their non-care  for school or anything, due to artist lyrics. This could also be because they don’t care about the actions. The lyrics of the songs are becoming problematic to why kids are using reckless language. The phrase “Lyrics have become more explicit in their references to drugs, sex, and violence” shows how music impacts what kids are doing in life today. It's not only the lyrics but the videos and the messages the artist tries to get across to the world impacts the behavior that goes on. Kids today think if this artist can do it and get away with it away can’t they do it too.

Rap music has given kids today a voice that can be heard in many ways. This genre of music speaks loud for it self because of how rap music started. Rap influence people to do different thing each day some could be positive but because of how the music is written by the artist it makes kids do things so differently. Rap influences younger kids because of how the music is portrayed by the role models they look up too.

Work Cited:

Council on Communications. “Impact of Music, Music Lyrics, and Music Videos on Children and Youth.” Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics, 1 Nov. 2009, www.pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/124/5/1488.

Jackson, Nakia. “What Influence and Effects Does Rap Music Have on Teens Today?”LIVESTRONG.COM, Leaf Group, 13 June 2017, www.livestrong.com/article/1005065-influence-effects-rap-music-teens-today/.