How Hip Hop Music Influences Today’s Youth

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

How Hip Hop Music Influences Today’s Youth is a blog that discusses the positive and negative ways that hip hop music can influence young people. The blog covers topics like the messages in rap music, the role of music videos, and how celebrity culture can impact young fans.

Introduction

Since its humble beginnings in the South Bronx, hip hop music has had a profound impact on American culture. Today, hip hop is one of the most popular genres of music, and its influence can be seen in all aspects of popular culture, from fashion to film to television. But nowhere is the influence of hip hop more evident than in the way it has shaped the lives of young people.

For many young people, hip hop provides a creative outlet and a way to express their identity. It is also a powerful tool for social change, helping to raise awareness about important issues like racism, sexism, and violence. Hip hop music can be a positive force in the lives of young people, providing them with a voice and a way to connect with their peers.

History of Hip Hop

Hip hop is a type of music that was created in the 1970s by African Americans and Latino Americans. It is a style of music that includes rap, DJing, and break dancing. Hip hop music has grown in popularity over the years and has become one of the most popular genres of music today. It is often said that hip hop music can be a positive influence on young people.

Origins in the Bronx

Hip hop music originated in the Bronx, New York City, in the 1970s. It is a style of music that is based on African American culture and incorporates elements of rap,DJing, and break dancing. Hip hop music has become one of the most popular genres of music among young people today.

There are many different theories about the origin of hip hop music. One theory suggests that it was created by African American youth who were trying to find a way to express themselves through music. Another theory suggests that hip hop music originated from Jamaican reggae and calypso music. Regardless of its origins, hip hop music has had a profound impact on American culture.

Hip hop music was initially popularized by African American youths who were living in the Bronx in New York City. These youths would often throw parties where they would play music and DJ. As time went on, more and more people began to attend these parties, and hip hop music began to gain popularity throughout the city. By the late 1970s, hip hop music had spread to other parts of the United States, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Detroit.

In the 1980s, hip hop music became increasingly popular among white youths as well. This was due in part to the fact that many mainstream radio stations began to play hip hop songs. The popularity of rap groups such as NWA also helped to increase the popularity of hip hop music among white people.

Today, hip hop music is one of the most popular genres of music in the world. It is particularly popular among young people living in urban areas. Hip hop music often contains explicit lyrics that discuss violence, drug use, and sexual activity. Some critics have argued thathip hop music has a negative influence on young people. However, others argue that hip Hop Music can be used as a tool for social change

Commercialization and the Golden Age

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Hip Hop was characterized by four elements: deejaying, b-boying, graffiti and rapping. B-boying peaked in popularity during the Golden Age of Hip Hop (1985–1993). Rapping also increased in popularity during this time. Commercialization increased as well, as record labels realized the potential of rap music as a profitable genre. In 1986, the first Hip Hop movie “Wild Style” was released. In 1988, N.W.A released “Straight Outta Compton” which brought gangsta rap to the mainstream. The Golden Age is often considered to be a period of creative growth and experimentation for the genre.

The East Coast-West Coast rivalry

In the early 1990s, the media started paying more attention to the East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry, which involved artists and executives associated with two major record labels, Suge Knight’s Death Row Records on the West Coast, and Sean Combs’ Bad Boy Records on the East Coast. The quarrel began due to disagreements over artist contracts, but quickly escalated into a personal rivalry between artists Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace (“Biggie Smalls”), leading to numerous dueling freestyles, tracks dissing one another, and ultimately both of their murders (Tupac in 1996 and Wallace in 1997).

The Death of Tupac and Biggie

The murders of Tupac and Biggie Smalls, also known as Notorious B.I.G., are two of the most infamous in hip hop history. Both artists were at the pinnacle of their careers when they were gunned down in separate incidents just six months apart. The cases remain unsolved to this day, and their deaths continue to cast a shadow over the hip hop world.

While the murders of Tupac and Biggie shocked and saddened the Hip Hop community, they also had a profound impact on the music itself. The death of Tupac, in particular, is seen as a turning point in Hip Hop history. Prior to his death, Hip Hop was primarily a positive force in the lives of young people. It was a way to express oneself and tell one’s own story. However, after Tupac’s murder, many artists began to experiment with darker themes in their music. This change is often credited with ushering in the “gangsta rap” era of Hip Hop, which is characterized by its focus on violence, drugs, and crime.

While the murders of Tupac and Biggie Smalls undoubtedly had a negative impact on Hip Hop, their deaths also served as a reminder of the power of this music to influence and even change lives. In the years since their deaths, many artists have used their platform to speak out against violence and promote social justice. In doing so, they continue to carry on the legacy of these two fallen icons.

The Rise of Gangsta Rap

In the late 1980s, as rap music became increasingly popular, a new subgenre known as gangsta rap began to emerge. Gangsta rap is a style of hip-hop that often glorifies violence, drugs, and crime. Many gangsta rappers use street gangs as a metaphor for the struggles of inner-city life.

One of the earliest and most famous gangsta rap groups was N.W.A., which stands for “Niggaz Wit Attitudes.” N.W.A’s 1988 debut album Straight Outta Compton was a sensation, selling millions of copies and popularizing both gangsta rap and the West Coast style of hip-hop.

The success of Straight Outta Compton sparked a wave of gangsta rap albums in the early 1990s, many of them from Southern California artists such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and Tupac Shakur. Tupac and Snoop Dogg in particular became two of the biggest stars in all of music, selling millions of albums and crossing over into the mainstream pop world.

Gangsta rap has been criticized for its negative portrayal of women and its glorification of violence, but it has also been praised for its realism and its ability to capture the frustrations and anger felt by many young people living in disadvantaged communities.

Hip Hop Today

In the United States, hip hop music has become one of the most popular genres of music among young people. According to a Nielsen report, hip hop/rap was the most listened to genre of music by people aged 18-24 in 2017. This is not surprising given that hip hop artists such as Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Drake have won numerous Grammy Awards and are some of the most popular musical acts in the world.

Hip hop music often contains explicit lyrics about drugs, violence, and sex. Some people argue that this is a negative influence on young people. However, there is also evidence that hip hop can be a positive force in the lives of young people. For example, many hip hop artists are successful entrepreneurs who have built businesses and created jobs in their communities. In addition, hip hop can be used as a tool for social change. For example, hip hop artist Common often uses his music to raise awareness about important issues such as police brutality and racism.

What do you think? Is hip hop a positive or negative influence on society?

How Hip Hop Music Influences Today’s Youth

It is widely known that music has the ability to influence people. There are countless examples of this throughout history. Today, one of the most influential genres of music is hip hop. Hip hop music has the ability to influence people of all ages, but it is especially influential on young people. This is because hip hop music often contains messages about issues that are relevant to young people.

The Lyrics

The lyrics of hip hop songs often include references to violence, sex, anddrugs. While some argue that these lyrics have a negative influence on there listeners, others believe that the music is simply reflective of the harsh realities of life in urban communities. Regardless of which side of the debate you fall on, it’s hard to deny that hip hop music often contains graphic and explicit content.

Many young people are exposed to this type of music at an early age, and it can have a significant impact on their development. Studies have shown that children who listen to music with violent or sexual lyrics are more likely to engage in aggressive or risky behavior than those who don’t listen to this type of music. Additionally, children who are exposed to profanity in music are more likely to use profanity themselves.

While some argue that hip hop music is detrimental to the development of young people, others believe that it can be used as a positive force in their lives. For example, many experts feel that hip hop can be used as a tool for social change. By raising awareness about important issues like poverty and violence, hip hop can help create a more just and equitable world for everyone.

The Fashion

Fashion is a big part of hip hop music and culture. Designers create clothing inspired by hip hop artists and their style, and many brands sponsor rappers and other celebrities to wear their clothes. This relationship between fashion and hip hop is often reflected in the music itself, with many artists mentioning specific brands or designers in their lyrics.

Hip hop fashion has also been made more accessible to the masses through social media. Influencers and bloggers often show off their newest outfits on Instagram and other platforms, making it easy for people to find and purchase the same or similar items. This has resulted in a moreDemocratic approach to fashion, where anyone can dress like their favorite rapper or singer regardless of their budget.

While some may see hip hop fashion as ostentatious or outlandish, it is ultimately a reflection of the music and culture that people enjoy today. It is also a way for people to express themselves and show off their personal style. Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying that hip hop fashion is here to stay.

The Language

In hip hop music, the use of profanity is often intertwined with notions of authenticity and hardened street credibility. By using language that is considered taboo in mainstream society, rappers can reinforce their street credibility while also communicating to their audience on a more personal level. The excessive use of profanity in hip hop music can be seen as a way of rejecting middle-class values and expressing frustration with socio-economic conditions. In addition, the use of profanity can also be used as a form of shock value in order to gain attention.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hip hop music has both positive and negative influences on today’s youth. The music itself is not to blame, but it can be a tool that is used to spread messages of violence, drug use, and other risky behaviors. On the other hand, hip hop can also be used to empower young people and give them a voice. It is important for parents and other adults to be aware of the lyrics and messages in hip hop songs so that they can help guide young people towards the positive messages in the music.

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