Music

Rap music is by far the most popular genre in the young adult age group but its lyrics are becoming more and more controversial. In a time when all violence is blamed on video games, media, and movies, song lyrics are being heavily scrutinized. The documentary we watched in class give a very different insight for me on how the artists themselves view the music they produce.

The big question is how much do song lyrics really matter? When someone in a song degrades a woman and talks about her as an object, should we take offense to that? Some of the women interviewed about song lyrics calling women “bitches and hoes” were not offended, and stated “they aren’t talking about me.” I think that artists should be responsible for the words they spit and insulting and demeaning lyrics shouldn’t be tolerated. Personally, I think that certain lyrics go over the top and should make people upset. However, as stated by some of the young artists, walking into a label and talking about the hardships of the ghetto and verbalizing positive messages are not selling. The image of being strong, manly, and worthy of street respect are the artists that get deals and in a market that expects this-artists are willing to sacrifice their lyrics to get a break. As well, labels put out catchy music and tend to slide in derogatory statements in between the choruses which distract many from truly hearing what they are listening to. The only way to get around this is to find music underground and break from the mainstreams but this is much more time consuming.

The most shocking thing I think in the documentary was when Byron asked the record label if they thought the music they produced further upheld black stereotypes and he failed to comment. Pretty much he said, “Yeah the depictions of black men with drugs, money, and violent imagery allow middle class white kids further reason to distrust the young black population.” There is also discrepancy as to how “black” a lot of these rap artists are. First off, they say they are from the ghetto and get shot at, but they have millions of dollars and do not have to live that way. I find it hard to believe half of the things said in rap lyrics, especially from wealthy artists. Lyrically the use of certain slangs and swear words, especially like “niggaz,” are heavily overused and incredibly insulting. Usually, the more frequent use of a word, the more desensitized we become to it, but these words have not lost their meaning. The overuse of said words makes people believe they are okay to use in everyday language with their friends and when talking to others, yet this is not the case. Additionally, the double standard of race and slang is ridiculous. If the words “bitch, nigga, and hoe” are said within your race group it appears to be accepted, but as soon as another race uses them a word war erupts. If words like that are not okay, and they are offensive, then no one should be using them in such casual terms. The overuse of swear words gives attempts at power through intimidation, but in reality just make people sound stupid.

Other types of music are not exempt either, which makes me really question what I put on my ipod. By buying catchy music, and mainstream songs I am supporting the lyrics in that music whether I do or not. I want the music that I listen to, to represent my beliefs and attitudes which means I need to start choosing my songs differently.