Expression, slang characterization, and boastful rhyming often describe the genre known as rap music. Rap music was originally recognized as traditional storytelling in the late 1970s. It was discovered by DJs and disc jockeys in New York clubs where people did not come to just dance but to listen to the interesting new style of music. Although rap did not flourish until the late 1970s, it is said that rap extends as far back as the period of slavery.
It was used as a form of expression for the oppressed African Americans that were forced to leave their home land and work in the fields of a “white” owner. Rap music was accompanied by beat boxing, break dancing and interpretative dance. Rap music is explained through different expressions but not all rap songs are alike. Songs like “Staring Out of My Rearview Mirror” by Tupac and Lil Wayne’s “Mirror” are both associated with rap music but they still have their differences.
Lyrics like “Multiple gunshots fill the block, the fun stops/Niggaz is callin cops, people shot, nobody stops/I wonder when the world stopped caring last night/Two kids shot while the whole block staring”(Tupac) and “With everything happening today/You don’t know whether you’re coming or going/But you think that you’re on your way/Life lined up on the mirror don’t blow it”(Lil Wayne) are one of the things that make the music of Tupac and Lil Wayne different.
Although, Tupac is said to be an inspiration to Lil Wayne their messages within these songs are different. Tupac talks about his surroundings and life while Lil Wayne reminisces on friendship and loyalty. Tupac says, “(They got me) starin at the world through my rearview/Go on baby scream to God, he can’t hear you/I can feel your heart beatin fast cause it’s time to die (we)/Gettin high, watchin time fly, and all my motherfuckers. ” He talks about life and the things he goes through throughout his life along with the stresses life brings.
Life constantly has you looking through your review mirror or watching your soundings. Rap artists like Tupac and Lil Wayne speak what they are feeling and relate it to relevant situations in the art of combining words of expression. Rap music causes the mind to think thoroughly. Rap music may be simple, but it does have the mind thinking although many rappers have meaningless lyrics and have violent slurs in their approach to rap music in order to boost sells and create a false image in the music industry.
However, some rappers tell a story through their verbal ability. Some rappers use an excessive amount of detail in their songs to get their points across. They provide you with a mental picture to go off of. Rap music finds a way to draw attention and it has accomplished the task of getting people to have a reaction of some sort. Although many parents believe that rap music is the leading cause of violence in today’s society, rap music is a form of expression and release.
Rap can help relieve stress in many situations that teens or “young” American faces. Writing is a form of release. Teens encounter a lot of situations where they feel as though they do not have anyone to talk with to discuss their problems so they turn to rap music. They use that form of expression to release the anger they have built up. Whatever pinned up or suppressed feelings teens may have, they associate it with rap music. Rap music is among any form of music that is accessible to relieve stress and other mental strains.
