The advent of the Rap music has made it very popular among people as it highlights the various ills of the society. Originating from the Caribbean music and evolving into American Hip hop, rap has become an integral part of the showbiz. Like any other genre, it has negative and positive sides that we will analyze in the next sections:
Positive effects of rap music:
Rap, in fact, belonged to the subculture of the Afro-American communities but later on it became famous all over the world. Simple to compose and easy to sing, the rap music has transcended the boundaries and attracted the non black people in hordes. It bridged the cultural divide and proved to be the biggest tool for the unification of the youth around the world. Popular styles such as baggy pants and caps turned backward are some of the biggest trademarks of the rap artists.
Promoting social and political awareness: Rap music discusses the daily problems of the people in a conversational manner. Although riddled with profanities, the lyrics touch the conscience of the audiences. The problems can be poverty or even drug abuse prevalent in the society. The nowadays arrival of social media has made rap even more popular as people can upload the music on a fly on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Symbol of hope: Miseries and wars in the world have tormented a lot of people especially youth who want jobs and live their life peacefully. Moreover, the Afro American kids living in abject poverty see rap as a medium to become famous and rich. It is a passport to a different world where they would be respected for their talent rather than indulging in drugs trade and crime. Generally, rappers talk about their lives and ensuing struggles to the people, therefore the audiences also get motivated and believe that they would be successful in the near future. In short, the genre of music gives new hope to the kids who are from dysfunctional families.
Support: While dealing with the social issues, it is important to create awareness among the society. Once the problem is accepted by the audiences, they can brainstorm together to find the solution. Rap has worked beautifully to spread the message to every nook and corner of the globe.
Negative effects of rap music:
Rising cases of Gun violence: According to some people, rap promotes gun culture and violence. It encourages kids to rebel against the law authorities. Moreover, the level of abuses hurled in the form of lyrics can put an individual to shame. Lots of rap stars are behind bars due to the charges of violence.
Swear words: Rap is anything but a politically incorrect genre, therefore a large portion of audiences find it repulsive. Some music stars go overboard with their lines and resort to nudity as well as sensationalism to draw the crowds. Some of the rap videos are se xually suggestive that might encourage kids to indulge in risky activities from the point of physical and mental health
Conclusion: Rap music is both good and bad for society but overall it helps teens to vent their frustrations and let their voice be heard by adults including their parents.