2. My research topic is…
• My research will be on the negative influence that Hip-Hop and rap
music has on urban communities, with a focus on black people. This
kind of music degrades women, promotes hypersexuality, and
encourages violence among other people. I am finding sources that
backup this belief. I want to learn from different sources investigating
this issue.
3. History of Hip-Hop and Rap Music
• Hip-Hop and Rap have strong African and African-American roots.
This type of music focused more on a beat or rhythm than melodic
singing. Many pioneer Hip-Hop and Rap artists empowered their
people and their community and expressed life in a light tone, but
modern artists since the rise of gangsta rap tend to do the opposite
and degrade the community and its people.
4. Individuals involved In Influence
• Run DMC (“It’s Like That”, “Sucker MC’s”)-Songs are not explicit
• Grandmaster Flash (“The Message”)-Songs are meaningful for the
community, especially “The Message”
• Kanye West (“I Love It”)-used to have some songs with good
messages, now has extremely explicit and violent songs
5. Questions I have about my topic
• Did the rise of media and music videos help to make Hip-Hop and Rap
more violent and sexual?
• How are teens growing up listening to this kind of music affected?
• Do people who listen to this kind of music feel that there is a problem
with this music?
• Is there a way to less or censor the violent content in Hip-Hop and
Rap songs?
6. A Viewpoint about I disagree with…
• Some people might argue that violent behavior stems from the
environment, and so too does Hip-Hop and Rap music. In other
words, Hip-Hop and Rap is violent and explicit to match the
environment of the target audience.
7. Bibliography
• Acharya, Monica. “How Are Hip Hop and Rap Music Affecting the Youth? –
Monica Acharya – Medium.” Medium.com, Medium, 11 Nov. 2015,
medium.com/@moni_ach/how-are-hip-hop-and-rap-music-affecting-the-
youth-4b4a03b03236.
• Aldrich, Ian. “Grandmaster Flash.” Biography.com, A&E Networks
Television, 6 June 2017, www.biography.com/people/grandmaster-flash-
060716.
• Pelton, Michael. “Rap/Hip Hop • BlackPast.” Redlining (1937- ) | The Black
Past: Remembered and Reclaimed, 29 Jan. 2019,
www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/rap-hip-hop/.
• “Researcher Cites Negative Influences of Hip-Hop.” Pittsburgh Post-
Gazette, www.post-gazette.com/life/lifestyle/2008/06/13/Researcher-
cites-negative-influences-of-hip-hop/stories/200806130124.