The Great Hip-Hop Debate - Hip-Hop & Violence Segment Two

Panelists discuss whether rappers are imitating life with their violent lyrics or if the art of rapping creates the violence itself.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• great
• hip
• hop
• debate
• violence
• life
• imitating
• art
• 50
• Cent
• 2Pac
• Scarface
• Movie
• Industry

[spatuelli]

We (TGHHD) can agree with that last point. We want to consumers to make better choices with their money when it comes to buying music. At this point the revolution to higher quality hip-hop has to be consumer driven. Corporations don't listen to voices, they listen to numbers. In light of this, Artists such as Kanye West and Common are experiencing success like never before. Both of these artists can certainly be called conscious MC's. The change is happening, but it might take a while.

[maglavagna]

Any music which needs a parental advisory warning on it should be made illegal to sell. That's the only way hip hop will stop selling records with these kinds of lyrics.

[spatuelli]

Be careful what you ask for, because you just might get it. This suggestion would be applied to all music if it were to happen, not just hip-hop. So your favorite genre would have to comply with this also. So that one curse word in your favorite album would deem it illegal once that parental advisory warning is attached. Censorship limits expression no matter what genre,format, or medium.

[maglavagna]

It wouldn't bother me at all. Generally it is hip hop that uses this kind of language, in fact, I can't really think of any songs outside of hip hop which use abusive or violent language. For any that do, all they'd have to do is simply edit the language. There is a whole world of stories and subject material out there to rap about cleanly and responsibly. Hip hop doesn't need to keep resorting to these kind of lyrics.

[spatuelli]

You must listen to a narrow spectrum of music to not hear violent or abusive lyrics. Every genre of music contains this type of language. We certainly aren't pro-violence, but we are also not pro-censorship. We want to foster an environment where the non-violent hip-hop is just as acceptable to the consumer as the violent stuff is. We are seeing a change. Kanye West and Common Sense are enjoying far more success than they ever have. So slowly the tide is changing, without the use of censorship.

[maglavagna]

I listen to all kinds of music. Name me some artists/singers/groups outside of hiphop who regularly glamourise violence and use abusive lyrics because I can't think of any. Of course every genre contains this type of language on some level but not on the level that hip hop regularly churns it out. I don't think that it's acceptable for these types of lyrics to be on these records at all. These lyrics are influencing/brainwashing alot of young impressionable people.

[spatuelli]

Are you serious? The likes of Marilyn Manson, Slayer, Metallica, gwar, Johnny Rebel, ring a bell? I have nothing against those bands, but the list could go on and on. I'm sure your next post is going to be "quote some lyrics"...let me save you the trouble. This offensive material surrounds us all day long in television, movies, and let us not forget, everyday life. Music plays but a small role. The utopia you imagine without hip-hop will not emerge, trust me.

[HipHopinRaps]

Violence has existed from the day life existed. Hiphop only informs the people of the places that pack that violence nobody talks about in which will not change until its known.

[nevawrong]

i'm not gonna lie, i'm 38 years old, & i still love gangtsa rap.

i was 17 years old in 1989 when i first heard NWA music, & i fell in love with that GANGTSA RAP sound ever since.

from MOBBDEEP, SNOOP, DRE, MC EIGHT, ONYX, BIGGIE, WUTANG, M.O.P., BOSS, MAC 10, LENCH MOBB, TIM DOGG, CYPRESS HILLS, DMX, KOOL G. RAP, FATJOE, PUN, BIG-L, TUPAC, & now 50CENT,

ive been in love then, & im still in love now with gangter rap, i guess i kinda grew up on it, & its now inbeded in me, -

"FOREVER"

[Maximili012m]

Violenece in lyrics shouldnt be promoted, however it shouldnt be censored either. Our country was built on free speech. As for crude language, if it offends you personally, dont listen to it, but dont promote the idea that nobody should listen to it because of your opinion. It's expression, pain, depression, aggression, all that is crude, rude, griddy, raw, uncut, real. If you dont want to hear real, plug your ears.

[18daniel]

Marilyn Manson's music has underlying meaning, the music in no way advocates senseless violence. He expects his listeners to be intelligent enough to read between the lines. Also, the Columbine killers didn't even listen to his music. You'd know that if you knew the facts before passing judgement.

[maglavagna]

I have never listened to those bands you've mentioned but if they do indeed use this kind of language then I am against it. Also, just because there is violence and abusive language in other media it does not make it okay. I also think that music plays a larger role than many people think. I don't imagine a utopia without hip hop. I just want hip hop to clean up it's act.