In modern society, rap is seen as an attraction of public entertainment of those in the working-class group. Looking back at the origins of rap, the difference of it now compared to before is quite distinctive. Before, rap had meaningful lyrics which conveyed the true scene of African-American life to listeners. It had the power to inspire people for or against certain acts, but now its purpose has been defeated, or so some people think. In present-day, rap is generally discriminated as the wild, uncouth side to the musical industry.
The use of vulgar words and equally vulgar music videos are disgusting, annoying and abhorred by certain public groups. To them, it is so controversial that they are willing to bring up political arguments against rap music. One reason why rap is detested by people is the influential power that it has on unsuspecting children who have easy access to it through the uncensored domains of the Internet. The fear of parents towards music and some of its mature content that will affect the mindsets of their children leads them to a biased state where they think all rap music is bad and should be banned from society.
It is such that rap has become a scapegoat for the rebellious behavior of teenagers that have developed as a result from being influenced by this ‘bad music’. The original purpose of rap music to convey a social declaring has long been sullied by modern commercialization of the music industry, changing the lyrics into what they think would sell the song more. The initial use of words to rebel against racial segregation and discrimination has downgraded into words that have become even more vulgar, such as ‘pimps’, ‘hoes’, and ‘playas’ for example.
This has also led to the fact that teenagers have become a little more rebellious as well. It’s ironic, because if rap is so influential to the youthful part of society, its lyrics could have been changed into something that the public deems ‘positively influencing’. Instead, it has been changed from bad to worse over the years. Although it may seem hopeless for rap to maintain its originality on a large scale, there are still rappers out there who still ‘keep it real’, in hopes that the ‘real’ rap can still display its original use. Such rappers, or modern day ‘griots’ include Lupe Fiasco, Biz Markie, Eminem and a few others.
If rap were to make a complete turn-around by these people, things will quite easily change. The usefulness of rap to bring out a public message to the modern generation is still strong, as long as if they were to ‘keep it real’. Its potential has the power to change the perspectives of people and lives, no matter how big or small. As said earlier, rap music has been blamed for being a bad influence towards the youths in society. This is probably because modern rap is all about ‘gangsta’ lifestyles, girls or just an outburst of whatever rappers are thinking about at that moment.
Another factor is because modern teens have so much time to spend, they listen to this ‘fake’ version of rap. If only rap were to change, there is a big possibility that it can raise awareness and understanding in them about modern-day problems and how to solve them. Looking back, a solution can be seen. Because the public detests modern rap, its power to change lives has been diminished. The reason for this is that rap has evolved from a means of communication into a way of babbling on about ‘gangsta’ life and other issues that have so relation whatsoever to the changing of the world.
However, if rap were to evolve again (or should I say devolve? ) into its second generation of meaningful, rapping griots, there is a chance its origins may be maintained and a change in society may be observed as a result. So, I would say no, rap still has the power to change the lives of people. The only thing required is a catalyst which can bring it back into its former form, and that catalyst is us, which we as people can decide whether we want it or not.
