Albert Dennie
Eng 201A 1-2:50
9/26/2008

Hip Hop = Violence
Violence has surrounded the world let alone the communities of minorities the most. In the new generation hip hop referred to as gangsta rap, artists do not take the time out to promote positive albums meaning the lyrical content that is exercised. It is expressed that record executives only want what will sell. But, what sells? Is it the violence within the lyrical content that attracts its listeners? This paper will consist of three points about hip hop: the first point that will be made is how has hip hop influenced society before gangsta rap? the second consists of how it is viewed amongst societies new generation? And the third and final point that will be made is what can we do as a society to bring back the real meaning of hip hop?
In the early days of hip hop the music was exhilarating. It had a meaning and there was no violence or disrespecting of women, let alone the exploitation of both. Mcee’s as they were called simply rapped about everyday life in a positive way. There was no so called “beef” that turned into street violence. If another rapper felt like they were being dissed they would battle. The meaning of battle can be described as dancing or freestyle rapping against there opponent with numerous people surrounding them in the park applauding it. As I listen to the original hip hop the beat is body motivating and Run Dmc, a talented hip hop artists does not use verbal obscenities in his music or videos. In the 1986 hit “Tricky” by: Run Dmc he, describes how tricky it is in the society he lives in as far as corporate America. He does not speak of robbing at gun point or kidnapping, etc…
You can detect love and a sense of meaning in this original music.

In the year 2008 over 3 decades have gone by and hip hop has taken a turn for the worse. The meaning of this so called gangsta rap is not a good one. Artists feel that they should only rap about sex, drugs, violence, and the exploitation of all three is what is selling records. Record executives also believe that if you do not make an album that the people want to hear than we will not sign you to a record deal. Artists put these albums out knowing the outcome and reactions of society but continue to still exploit. They put these albums thinking nobody is going to do what I say; they just want to hear it. Well, I’m sorry to say that this new generation doesn’t know any better. As I listen to new music from new artists all I hear is “I own this block” or “if you don’t like it I will shoot your hood up” or “I’m going to slap that women and make her sell her body for money”. Not saying that these artists do not have a message, it’s just that the message that is being displayed is not a good one and is viewed by most minorities in poverty because that’s where most of the music is aimed at. I believe you can rap about where you are from or where you have came from but it is how u exploits it. So many crimes come from music, television, and video games. The violence that is exposed is viewed by people who intake the information negatively and don’t realize the consequences because they are not given. There is a difference between Nas, who is a prominent rapper but speaks with a positive meaning, opposed to DMX, who is a rapper but his meaning is negative. I believe that you can say that Nas would be hip hop because he speaks of how we can make the world a better place if we all make a change starting with ourselves and not settling for this society that the corporate America has made for us. I say DMX is the opposite because, he talks about how he has lived in poverty and what he had to do as a child but, he is not in poverty anymore so why not send a positive message now that you have made it out the “hood” as it is referred to. You can get a sense of hatred and oppression and animosity towards the world in DMX’s music while NAS posses a positive outlook on life, happiness, and bringing back the African American culture.
My third and final point is how can we turn gangsta rap back into hip hop? I believe we can bring back hip hop. I believe we can start at the record executives company’s. I feel that if we as a people strike against offensive music than artists and the companies who represent them will have no choice but to make a change to the message it displays and the content that it is displaying. We can also listen to the music and not react negatively but, react intelligently meaning know the consequences for actions stated in the music. Instead of rapping about armed robbery lets rap about how we can start groups and clubs that our youth can receive positive guidance. If artists give positive music a chance, they will see that people actually like listening, and they might get people to put down guns, and stop using verbal and physical violence to sell music. If there were more artists such as; Lauryn Hill, Mos Def, Common, Nas, Erykah Badu I believe that hip hop will still posses a positive meaning and will not equal violence. Until we do so we as listeners are vulnerable and susceptible to this music called “gangsta rap”.
So now that I have shown how music was, how it is now, and maybe a solution to the messages it promotes it is up to us as listeners to want a change and to make a change. We are the stepping stone for a change. Executives will have no choice but to change the music we are protesting against to music that we want to hear because we are the audience. I myself love to listen to the various different messages of various artists of rap but, I have come to realize that if I do not like it than I can turn the station or turn it off. If more people turn off negative music and only positive music is promoted than record company’s have no choice but to listen and make a change!