This is gonna be a long one but I wrote this on a fly so don't expect perfect grammar and such.
One should not ban rap music under any premise not only because a bulk majority of it falls under the protection of the first amendment, but the freedom of having the option to express yourself in this art form is invaluable. There are many examples of rap artists that come from volatile situations whom accredit rap for allowing them to turn their lives around. On the other end of the spectrum, this particular genre of music allows musical relatability for demographics that otherwise may not relate to other forms of music such as: country, pop, rock, etc. Many do not realize that some rap artists are trying to differentiate those that rely on misogynistic depictions of women, extreme violence, and drug/alcohol over-consumption to that of intelligent social-commentary and depictions of life worth aspiring to. Rap music is a genre worth saving.
Growing up in the ghettos of a city is a huge lesson in survival. Many people will tell you the struggles of life in the hood: you did not have three meals a day, you learn how to walk inconspicuously before you learn your alphabet, you learn not to trust anybody outside of home and school, and you learn that listening to gunshots before your sleep is commonplace. This lifestyle is common for many and for those that do not turn towards gangs, you find anything that will keep you off the streets. Though not all of us are smart enough to become doctors, lawyers, or scientists, athletic enough to become athletes or Olympians, so those that are left turn towards the arts. A yellow notepad, a black pen, and a sincere hope that sixteen-bars later will be complete and utter fire. This thought is the humble start of many rappers; the lifeline that takes them from a body bag to arenas full of people where somewhere someone teetering the line between life and death, is walking in their footsteps.
Hip-Hop Saved My Life - Lupe Fiasco
Nowadays, rap is a widely attainable genre of music. It is not exclusive to the inner-cities of metropolitan hubs, but to the suburbs of all states via a few clicks on the internet. As such, the art of rap evolves. Before, hip-hop is something that contains itself in its lyrics but now it is more about the attitude and the emotion. And to its prime audience of teenagers and young adults, rebellion and contained angst is common. Hardships are universal and more often than not, young people find themselves under the pressures of life and the hard knocks of the daily grind. Not often does one of that age knows how to properly deal with all that destructive emotions. Not everyone can afford or is brave enough to go to therapy so one will find a way to decompress. Music being a great way to because a lot of the time just the sound of a song is enough for someone to relate to the essence of it. From the rebellious days of the eighties and nineties to the modern age, rap continues to hold that individualistic, tough attitude but presents itself in a style more accessible to a wider demographic proven that majority of people who purchase rap are Caucasians. That is the grand beauty of music; people who can relate and turn to when in rougher times. Though rap is not without longstanding controversies.
NWA -F** Da Police (warning, explicit language)
Eminem - No Love ft. Lil' Wayne (warning, explicit language)
The main argument with rap is that the depiction of women is misogynistic, lyrics/videos are extremely violent, and drug/alcohol over-consumption is encouraged. Hard to argue against because it is true. These common tropes are half-truths and half-idealistic dreams, but are aspirations synonymous with the "rock star" lifestyle. It is easy to think that rap solely fetishizes an otherwise bad moral compass without looking further in. If you stay and watch around for a bit you will learn that rap itself divides into commercial vs underground, with underground being full of socially-conscious, intelligent artists that produce music that goes against its own trope. To name a few: Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, KRS-One, among others, are some of the more innovative musicians that are not as mainstream because the thought of their music is lost on others. Thought provoking songs are only really available to those who have the time and attention to really sit there and listen. Sadly, many only want to hear what is familiar because for whatever reason it is easier. To those that listen to rap, yes, the negatives are definite truths but there are those fighting for this lost art.
Talib Kweli - Get By
John Legend - Glory ft. Common
Dilated People - This Way
Kendrick Lamar - The Art Of Peer Pressure
Rap is an essential form of art that should never lose its freedom. From the artists already making their music to the youngsters with their pen, paper, and a forlorn dream, let them shape the future of this genre. All they need is a chance.
