why is rap music blamed for the problems of todays youth?
439728
Because it is an easy excuse that takes the blame away from where it really belongs = on the bad parents of the kids who commit those crimes.
1131319
Well, it can hurt and it can help. If we are looking at rap culture, then we have to look at the lifestyle and language used by rap in the society. And of course, it has its pros and cons - but it will all stem to the type of lifestyle depicted by rap on the youth - not only blacks, but other races, because the whole point is rap is very influential. We have to look at the type of lyrics - if the lyrics are sound lyrics - something that children for years can live upon with good morals, then it will definitely help the black and other youths to grow into law abiding citizens, men and women of self-worth, people who will go through life with an education, and who will live without being a bother to society. If the lyrics are completely crude and disgusting - plus given the entertainers demeanor and lifestyle, then not only will it become a slime, but it will be a slime for life - young people will tend to imitate this lifestyle and live the words of the song - and you will find that sexual immorality will increase, joblessness will increase, people will lack respect for their family, friends, and elders, and you will find that the society will be deteriorated rapidly. Rap culture maybe entirely good in terms of giving black youths a level of identity, but to another level, rap culture is highly influential and it can hurt black youth if the wrong message is given, or helpful if the right message is given.
657256
Many rap acts push the envelope of sexuality, drugs, murders, and gang life.  But rap isn't doing anything that hasn't been done before.  Metal music tends to celebrate many of these themes.  The difference is that music in the past usually pushed the envelope using some time of clever lyrics or symbolism.  Today the rap lyrics just come right out and say it.  The biggest difference between rap and the other genres that have the same celebration of unrealistic decadent lifestyles is the quality of the musicianship.  Do any rap musicians even know how to read music or play an instrument?  The real crime here is that the hip hop generation is growing up listening to crappy music.  There are quality musicians all over the world not being heard because of the popularity of this music that's all about the lifestyle and not about the musicianship.
37557
I partially agree with you. Rap and hip-hop are not a good example for young children. And I don't like listening to them either. I think it's like saying a "poetry" without a rhyme, on a bass rhytm. Plus, it talks only about how poor they are or how they drug themselves or how they have sex... Not art at all...\nThough I believe I spotted in your message a little rasism... That's not good at all. From this point of view, you are not a good example for children either... You know, there are Caucasian hip-hop-ers and rap-ers. You shouldn't blame the Afro-american people for this kind of "music". There are numerous black people who play pop, dance, disco... since the '80s.\n\nAdding other comments in my answer: Yes, it's disastrous that people are not anymore interested in musical instruments. I myself used to take piano lessons, but the lack of time made me quit them. I am not American, so i do not know exactly what they show on your MTV, nor what singers have lately appeared. I also dislike Kanye West and other Americans' songs (not blaming anyone but those who write/sing them). That's why I also quit watching MTV, because it's overcrowded with the worst songs. Instead, I started watching VH1. I recommend it to you, for it broadcasts only what is good, and, what's more, you get to hear older music (which I am a fan of). You can also listen to music on your Y! Launch Cast. I know I do and I love it.\nAbout your last phrase, I believe you ought to be a little more moderate. It is rude and offensive to say that the people here do not have brains (and in general too), especially that I and somebody else had already answered to your question before you posted that comment. Hope will take this as a piece of advice!
525416
It will forever be this way. The way it was 30 yrs. from now, it will be in another 10. Because the youths are the results of the fuckups of the previous generations. It's a vicious cycle that never ends. Some of it's true some of it is hyped media bulls&*t. Get used to it. But know that there is plenty fact there. Youths are stupid a lot of times. They're immature listen to stupid music, are materialistic and they're just kids. I was once that way too. The fact remains, it's based on truth.
717324
The rap and hip-hop music is apart of their culture. Those things such as *pimping/huslting have really happened to these people. They have  SEEN the violence and HEARD the PROFANITY. If rockers can say what is on their mind in their music than so can BLACK PEOPLE. And we have the right of freedom of speech. YOU CANT destroy black culture. AND BLACK PEOLE arent the only rappers. PAUL WALL>>>>EMINEM. They are rappers becuz they have seen the 1)sex, 2)drugs, 3)violence, 5)Profanity[too much] 4)Hustling/pimping, 5)Acting "tough" and all that crap. THEY KNOW THE REAL WORLD. PEople singing about stuff that isnt real is why people chose hip-hop and rap music!
1013885
I think rap and its stupid ass ways did that to america. Just like why we have shootings in schools.
611942
It is a social problem that has in most part come about as a result of the 1960 civil rights legislation and integration of the same era.We have an element of our society that does not believe prudent thought is a necessary part of getting along,or even considering the outcome of their actions in the long run.The family unit has been destroyed by bad legislation and the most valuable element of society"white males"have been degraded to the point of impedance.As long as we allow our school system to degrade,our children to value mindless rap that promotes violence and degradation,and continue to strip white males of any respect this pattern will continue to its ugly conclusion.Good Luck to you!
885721
Youth of the old days, didn't have many of the modern conveniences of the youth of today. Life was more simple. Slower pace to life. Less stress. \nOur youth today are misunderstood. They are faced with many things that even 20 years ago were basically unknown. They are pushed to succeed at earlier ages than ever before. They aren't allowed to just be kids. They are judged many times unjustly. So much more is expected of them, and they rebel. I don't blame them. I sympathize with them. The youth of today amaze me, all the things that they face upon reaching adulthood. They have my respect.
818932
It already hasn't. Rap is played out.. dead. The violence and sex of a lot of the rappers rhymes has pushed it from the mainstream.. and if White record label executives can't make money from it then it will fade away... No one even cares about Eminem anymore... The future of hip hop is a return to classic R&B like Gnarls Barkley, John Legend, hell, even Fergie is leaving the Black Eyed Peas and trying to be Gwen Stefani. Rap never recovered from the money Eminem made or the way the deaths of Tupac and Biggie overshadowed their talents.
976001
rap are songs that get you moving and the lyrics they use are pretty good but as far as rap music now it sucks most of the "rap" music being put out is terrible thats why im an old school hip hop fan dedicated to lyricism but rap is good when your in the club having fun
1091090
I'm a teen, and I don't think music affects a teen's mind. I listen to "depressing" music, and I am perfectly happy. It really depends on the person though. If the person listening to the music is already depressed, it could have some influence on them. I don't think it would be so influencing that one would kill themselves because of a song...
1185989
YES!!!...I mean look at rap today, all the talk about, ALL THEY EVER TALK about is guns,sex, and violance. Some rappers even pride themselves over their "gangsta" past lie it were some trophy. They talk about how the media is bringing them down when in fact they themselves are bringing the blackman down with their hate music. Thats right I said hate music, why..? Go to any music store and look for any black rappers album and play it, you'll notice at least one reference to how the "white man" did this to him, 'the white man" did that to him, worse some even claim "the white man" forced him into selling drugs and pimping. Nigger please, I'm black and im sick of rappers today. i used to enjoy rap music back in the old days when the rap was clean yet addictive. Everything the rap industry once stood for is now being destroyed by narrow minded fool who still got their mind in the ghetto eventhough their living in luxury now.
383319
Ask your local university library for this article:\n"Violent Music Lyrics Do Not Usually Cause Lasting Harm" by James K. Fitzpatrick. Media Violence. William Dudley, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Greenhaven Press, 1999. Reprinted from James K. Fitzpatrick, "Can Teenagers Survive Marilyn Manson?" New Oxford Review, November 1997, by permission of New Oxford Review (1069 Kains Ave., Berkeley, CA 94706). Copyright © 1997 New Oxford Review.\n\nand this one:\n"Studies Have Not Established a Link Between Rap Music and Youth Violence" by Becky L. Tatum. Media Violence. Louise I. Gerdes, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Greenhaven Press, 2004. Becky L. Tatum, "The Link Between Rap Music and Youth Crime and Violence: A Review of the Literature and Issues for Future Research," Justice Professional, vol. 11, February 1999, p. 339. \n\nI got these references from a subscription database that a university library should have called Opposing Viewpoints.\n\nThis will be a hard argument to make as most valid research shows that there is a correlation between heavy metal and rap music and lower grades, discipline problems, drug use, teen sex, suicide, etc...  I suppose you could argue that the types of people who would display negative behavior would do so regardless of what music they listen to.  They listen to heavy metal because it mimics their feelings they already had.  So, listening to HM could be a consequence, not a cause.  Good luck!
245252
I suppose depending on the song and the youth it might. However, there are plenty of other genres of music that could infact have a negative influence on youth.
573785
loud music does nothing to a person, its all the choices that person makes, its absurd when people try to blame someone else for something. during the columbine highschool incident people were blaming rock stars like marilyn manson for warping those boys. whatever happend to personal responsibility?? loud music isnt a murder weapon, music doesnt kill people, PEOPLE kill people.
513479
well their is really nothing wrong with it unless your racist but its mostly because your children are growing up around rap music but it could be just the way they want to be.