tliving’s blog

BGSU students react to rap music violence

Rap music has become a part of society’s genres of music. It can range from hardcore rappers such as Tupac, Lil Wayne, or Young Jezzy to soft rappers such as Kayne West, Kid Cuddi, or Drake. It is listened to by different ethnic groups and cultures groups.

When it comes to rap music, Bowling Green students are voicing their thoughts on violence and if the music provokes violent acts by the listeners.

Many studies have been conducted on subjects who were given a violent lyrical passage were more inclined to rate it as dangerous or offensive if they believed it came from a rap song than if they were told that it originated from a country music song.

In recent years, one issue which has received an increased amount of attention involving violence.

“With the violent lyrics rappers include in their song makes it seem like killing is a good thing. They are basically bragging about violence,” said Camille Smith, 20, of Saginaw, Mich. whose major is undeclared.

Rap music originated in the 1970s, but the genre did not receive nationwide attention until the early 1980s.

Music is common in adolescents’ lives. Students spend hours a day listening to music and music videos.

Rap music is a form of art that is a reflection of life.

The violent lyrics in a rap song comes across as a reflection that may take place in household, community or something that may just occur.

“Rap lyrics give me the stereotype that all black people want to kill one other and relate everything to guns violence,” says Allyson Rice, 19, an early education major from Cleveland, Ohio.

A lot of the lyrics in rap songs are associated with life in the ghetto, gang life, guns, drug use and degrading women.

Taylor Bell, 19, a nursing major from Twinsburg, Ohio, said that she feels music is music, it depends on the person perspective, I do not see the lyrics as making it okay to commit violence acts.

Rapper Waka Flocka Flame illustrates violent lyrics in a song called “Gun Sound”. He tells his audience that he loves the sound of a gun sound and loves using his gun.

“From the eagle to the chopper, love that gun sound”.

When given a short test with violent and non-violence rap music, students who listen to the violent music scored higher on the aggression form more so than the student who listened to the non-violent music.

“When I’m upset, I listen to rap. Something I think man oh man if I could do what they rap about in their lyrics I would feel so much better,” said Rita Smith, 19, an education major from Akron, Ohio.

Rappers such as Tupac, 50 cent, and Waka Flocka Flame have been publicly criticized from their lyrics but music video are played on television were young children can hear the lyrics the violent lyrics they rap about.

However, students do have clear thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of rap music.

Now what do you think about the violence lyric in rap? Does this music demonstrate the excuse to act violent? What would you do to change the lyrics in this genre of music?