By Staff Reporter Owen Jessen
Courtesy of Sean McCabe
A combination of influential rappers throughout the decades.
Rap music has long been a dividing genre since the 90’s. Rap music has various different viewpoints from different individuals. Some people are on edge about it due to controversial lyrics and obnoxious beats, but others find it therapeutic due to it resonating with multiple emotions and experiences. There are a lot of impressionable young minds, and the influence it has on teenagers can be both positive or negative. The genre holds a lot of value to today’s youth, and speaks for many teenagers who may feel “voiceless.”
This genre tends to reach a certain demographic of people. That demographic being individuals engaging with their identity. Rap music tends to reach an audience due to its lyrics addressing issues like poverty, discrimination, or mental health. Many teenagers listen to rap music to feel seen or heard.
“I love how rap music is always evolving,” senior Lael Okbaab said. “There are always new performing artists who make good music. Music plays a big role in my life since I listen for eight hours a day.”
Rap music is always changing and is very diverse. Listening to it for long periods of time addresses this diversity which draws teens in. The result offers new voices, styles, and ideas that evolve with them. Although it may be diverse, rap music also has its downsides.
“A negative effect from rap music to the youth around me is probably the artists introducing them to gun violence or drugs from the lyrics the artists have in their songs,” freshman Jousha Beraki said.
The culture in rap music normalizing inappropriate behavior could possibly desensitize teenagers to the consequences of their actions. The influence it has, especially when not censored or supervised, could create twisted perceptions into what is and isn’t acceptable.
In essence, rap music reflects certain parts of society helping individuals relate and find comfort within the lyrics. For many teens around the world, getting persuaded by rap music could be both dangerous or empowering. Balance is needed within this genre. Rap is a form of art, but depending on how someone uses it determines whether it can heal or harm somebody.
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