Today I want to talk about something that has been really bothering me as it relates to the influence of today's music on our impressionable teens, children in general. I love all types of music, rap included, but not as much as I like the other genres. When it comes to rap, I can take it or leave it. Many times I'm only interested in the beat and don't take time to listen to the lyrics. If a rap song has caught my attention, it's usually because the lyrics are pleasing to me or I hear something that doesn't sound quite right. In instances like this, I take more time to listen to the song in its entirety. Once I have done so, then I can make a better determination of whether it's a hit or not so much.
The younger generation of rappers, rarely catch my attention I must admit because the lyrics usually contain a little too much foolishness for me to relate to. I am really disappointed however when the lyrics are blatantly disrespectful, violent, or sending the wrong message entirely.
At this time, the young rappers who are on my radar are this Chief Keef and his crew. I must admit that the songs that I have heard thus far have been quite catchy. But when you listen to the lyrics, it's rather questionable. The videos? Even more convincing that this is pure garbage and sets a violent tone for the impressionable youth listening to such songs. Most anyone can upload a video to YouTube these days and become an overnight sensation. This seems to be the case for the aforementioned rapper. While I do not and will not ever knock anyone's hustle, what I can say is that when you promote negativity, you get negativity. He has made some impressive accomplishments, such as being the youngest rapper to get his own label on Interscope, getting his own line of Beats by Dre headphones, and just an overall success at such a young age. I have even read that there will be a biopic of his life. All great accomplishments, but at what cost? Isn't the saying, if you know better you do better?
The lyrics in his music just amaze me. Constant talk of violence, constant displays of weapons. This kid is only 17! He is making a great impression on our youth. But it would be so much more inspiring if he could try to focus now on the positive. For instance, in an interview he makes mention about dropping out of school at 15, being a father at 16. These are issues that affect many teens today. In his down time, on house arrest for a weapons charge, he focused more on his rap and it paid off. So now let's use that experience to promote positivity. Show the youth that even though you come from an unhealthy environment, you can make changes and achieve your dreams. Why promote violence, drugs, and photos of a girl giving you oral sex for the whole world to see? There is much more positivity that can be drawn from the experiences of Chief Keef. I guess it bothers me so much because I have a son that is 16 and I have often seen how he and his peers are influenced by music and lyrics.
In my opinion if you have been given the opportunity to reach so many individuals on so many levels, why not use it to promote the good? Change the negative, promote the positive and use your experiences as a platform to inspire others! The negativity is what got your foot in the door, now change the scene and show them the positives? What good is your accomplishment if you can't share it with others in a positive and uplifting manner? An impressionable youth can use the lyrics in a negative way by taking it out of context, rather than just for entertainment. Chief Keef is not the only rapper/entertainer that does this, just the one on my radar at this time. We should support music that has purpose! Supporting such rappers as Chief Keef, sends a deadly message! We gotta wake up!!!
~PhatPhat~
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