This document provides an overview and critical evaluation of hip-hop music based on comparisons between press reports and academic research. It discusses how hip-hop has positively influenced black culture but also faces criticism for potentially promoting violence and aggression. While hip-hop originated among African Americans protesting social issues, it grew to include people of other backgrounds. Research suggests hip-hop has been used both positively to address societal problems and promote education, and negatively through associations with crime and gangs. Overall, the impacts of hip-hop are debated, as it provides benefits like entertainment but may also contribute to issues like increased violence.

1. A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF HIP-HOP !1
Critical Evaluation of Hip-Hop: A Comparison of a Press Report and Academic Research
By
Frank Kouadio

2. A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF HIP-HOP
While hip-hop music has been noted for having had considerable influence on society, the
black community has been influenced the most by this music phenomenon. Hip-hop music has
significantly influenced cultural practices and several studies consider the music as the definition
of a particular culture. In recent discussions of the extent of the impact that hip-hop has had in
society, there is some controversy as to whether the positive impacts the music has had on those
who love hip-hop outweigh the negative ones, or not. To this end, some have argued that the
music primarily generates both violence and aggression in its audience (Rebollo-Gil & Moras,
2012). From this perspective, this assumption appears to be factual, based on the unique
characters that have been exhibited by individuals who prefer listening to hip-hop music. Indeed,
the larger audience of hip-hop consistently displays rather unfriendly behaviour, which is mostly
unwelcome to the larger part of society. According to Patton, Eschmann, and Butler (2013), a
hip-hop audience is more likely to engage in violence, drug abuse and other forms of activities,
harmful to the public. In contrast, others argue that hip-hop enables many people, especially the
blacks, to accept and explore their innate cultural heritage by experiencing a place, a personal
identity and a sense of improvement in social recognition (Clark et al., 2016). A critical
evaluation of hip-hop however, points to an association between reports obtained from the press
and those reported in academic research, in that hip-hop impacts society both positively and
negatively.
Origin of Hip-hop
The origin of hip-hop has been widely attributed to African-Americans from the early
1980s. The music is particularly linked to the African-American youth who were protesting

3. A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF HIP-HOP
against the widespread economic disparities, racial discrimination, lack of freedom and
inequality. Based on this background, it would make more sense to link the African-Americans to
the origins of hip-hop. However, it would be erroneous to suggest or assume that all those who
participated in hip-hop were exclusively African-American blacks. It then becomes relevant to
establish the reason why even the whites were involved in hip-hop in the 1980s. The fact is that
hip-hop was swiftly incorporated into the mainstream of the American music industry, hence the
rapid growth of the audience as well as the musicians, pose further questions as to whether the
African-Americans were exclusively the driving force behind the development of hip-hop (Belle,
2014). In fact, the genre has significantly grown over the years, creating room not only for
technical, but also for lyrical innovation.
Four components are linked to hip-hop, they include rapping, the practice of graffiti
painting, B-boying and deejaying. Out of these, the graffiti has been considered an artistic
practice whereby the men could express their talents and artistic prowess. Since not all musicians
have the capacity to produce graffiti, it is therefore evident that those who participated in hip-hop
had to possess some level of artistic talent. Similarly, since the music is mostly associated with
backspinning, the performance of acrobatic moves, head spins and specific dance moves; hip-
hop, therefore, seems more of a talent than just music (Metcalf & Spaulding, 2016). It is
therefore possible that the hip-hop musicians are mostly influenced by the need to nurture their
talents and that they consider the entire exercise a business venture.

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Press Reports and Academic Research on the use of Hip-Hop to Express Societal Problems
The press, radio, television and social media have represented hip-hop as violent music
that mainly encourages its listeners to become aggressive towards other people. According to
Patton, Eschmann, and Butler (2013), given the numerous problems that a section of other
Americans faced between the 1970s and 1980s, hop-hop acted as an effective strategy to voice
the many concerns that faced the society at the time, especially minority groups. The Civil Rights
Movements in the United States had been met with brutality and ruthlessness by the government.
As a result, the victims resorted to a safer means of agitation to the government regarding their
problems. In as much as hip-hop has been used by teenagers to engage in violent behaviour and
drug use, some groups of people have nevertheless used it positively to criticise the government
and to voice their grievances. Based on the condemnation of racism and other forms of
discrimination, African-Americans relied heavily on hip-hop to express their concerns. Hence,
the music style played a vital role in the campaign for a better life for the oppressed in America.
A case in point is Tupac, a renowned former hip-hop artist who managed to promote black life
through his music. Even though it may not be easy to establish the level of impact that music
could have had against a government that was hell-bent in oppressing its dissenting citizens, it is
clear that most of the political revolutions that have occurred in America were characterised by
public agitation and widespread unrest (Clay, 2012). To this end, hip-hop artists contributed
significantly towards fighting for the rights of African-Americans and racism.
Furthermore, since hip-hop musicians have over the years been considered fearless and
outspoken, they have also used hip-hop texts to promote street education and to improve cultural

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diversity and empowerment. In addition, social awareness has also been promoted through the
hip-hop music. Nevertheless, Patton, Eschmann and Butler note that since hip-hop has
previously been linked to street gangs, the extent to which the public might consider this type of
public education and awareness useful is largely unclear (2013). Most of the youth participating
in the music cannot convince parents to entrust them with the development and information of
children. It is therefore highly unlikely that most people would openly accept to be associated
with hip-hop musicians.
Press Report and Academic Research on the Negative and Positive Effects of Hip-Hop on
Society
Social media and television have portrayed hip-hop as a form of social interaction and
personal fulfilment. Even though hip-hop has encountered numerous challenges and successes,
the music continues to record considerable growth internationally as many talented and
prominent artists continually emerge. Hip-hop artists have been gaining much popularity due to
the public's fulfilment and excitement with the excitement presented by hip-hop music. Many
artists have benefited and realised their dreams of becoming popular because of their
involvement in hip-hop music. One such an individual is Lil Wayne who has been increasingly
innovative by bringing many changes and variations to the genre. Apart from entertainment,
songs from these hip-hop artists have resulted in tremendous satisfaction and contentment to the
larger population who view the songs not only as a form of entertainment, but also as education
material (Clark et al., 2016). The larger audience that respond to hip-hop comes from many parts
of the world, relying on the songs to gain comfort and love whenever they listen to their
favourite artists.

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Hip-hop songs have in recent years appeared to be beneficial to society. For instance,
they are used to educate the public and also as a tool for civil rights campaigns, hence it has
gained even more popularity with the public. However, the songs have increasingly been
associated with a political rap that usually turn into gangster raps. This kind of music generally
depicts a lifestyle filled with careless sexual interaction, drug abuse among the youth and the
accelerating levels of violence within the inner-cities of the United States. It is therefore
debatable whether the level of satisfaction, education and political influence that hip-hop brings
are canceled by negative outcomes like violence and insecurity that emerge from the followers of
the genre (Patton, Eschmann, & Butler, 2013). Apparently, insecurity has considerably impacted
to development of many major cities within the United States and as such, any factor that could
accelerate the situation needs to be reconsidered, regardless of the few benefits derived.
A number of scholars in the field of hip-hop music have recently suggested that music
causes more problems than benefits for society and is thus the cause of fundamental problems in
the society, deterring efforts towards peace and integration. Clay (2012) notes that even though
hip-hop has led to the realisation of significant public pleasure and fulfilment since the 1970s,
the negative impacts that have emanated from it equally outshine its desired social objectives.
According to Podoshen, Andrzejewski, and Hunt (2014), however, the judgment of whether hip-
hop has caused more good than harm is directly influenced by the individual conducting the
analysis; if the person likes hip-hop then he or she is more likely to approve and vice versa.
Nevertheless, with satisfaction and excitement it provides to a large portion of society, there is a
need for keen observation and reevaluation of hip-hop music and whether it should be
encouraged in the society or not.

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Press Reports and Academic Research on the Quality of Hip-Hop Music
Customarily, the quality of music is a subjective matter that cannot be established with
certainty. Each individual has specific preferences that may not be necessarily be desirable to all
individuals in society. Nonetheless, the preference of hip-hop can be determined based on the
number of people who prefer listening to the music. Others may consider hip-hop as a major
contributor towards the scenes of violence and behaviour that influence people to engage in drug
abuse (Clark et al., 2016). Yet, it is worth knowing the hip-hop is not the cause of unethical
conduct in the society. In contrast, it acts as a mirror that depicts a situation that is already
present in society. Instead of blaming hip-hop for influencing the youth to participate in violent
activity, it is necessary to consider the belief that personal character, behaviour and conduct are
the primary factors that determine whether an individual engages in unfavourable behaviour like
violence or inappropriate sexual activity amongst other vices. Therefore, listening to hip-hop
may not significantly influence an individual’s behaviour.
The resilience of many hip-hop musicians towards their need to gain recognition and
participate in trend-setting has become a pressing issue for social development. Young people
have been relying on hip-hop artists by emulating their lifestyles, including their dress and other
social activities. As a result, most of the behaviour irrespective of whether they are positive or
negative are imitated (Clark et al., 2016). Through such means, the negative characters are
swiftly passed on in society from musicians to a wide range of other community members.
Unfortunately, based on several studies (Clay, 2012; Patton, Eschmann, & Butler, 2013), most of
the bad behaviour like violence experienced in society are being perpetrated by hip-hop artists.

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There has never been any special benefit that people have derived from hip-hop artists,
which is unique from other genres. A major difference is the way in which the audience and hip-
hop followers are becoming addicted to the music. In addition, hip-hop is the most popular genre
in the United States and some South American nations. Consequently, if hip-hop music was
better than other music genres, then it would command universal following. However, since it is
only common in a few countries, in particular, to African-Americans, it shows that it is more
efficient as a tool to fight against discrimination and civil rights and to promote talent.
Press Reports and Academic Research on the Violent Nature of Hip-Hop Music and
Relevant Interventions
Some people argue that hip-hop is widely loved and cherished by its fans due to the
violent aestheticism (Clay, 2012). As the debate regarding the most appropriate music to play
continues to rage on, some states have gone a step further, contemplating to ban hip-hop
completely due to the violence and sexual expression depicted by the musicians to the public.
Clay also believes that hip-hop fans are more likely to engage in an armed robbery than any
other music listeners (2012). Even though such claims have never been substantiated by reliable
evidence, hip-hop songs have caused many controversies throughout the United States. Many
musicians have also featured dangerous weapons like guns in their music videos thus sending a
message to glorify the use of weapons and deadly violence (Metcalf & Spaulding, 2016). Many
youths, especially its fans have therefore grown up believing incorrectly that touting weapons is
a source of security and strength.

9. A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF HIP-HOP
Furthermore, most artists have also publicised the use of drugs as a form of entertainment
and a social requirement. Inversely, drugs use influence people to become uncontrollable and
irresponsible, thus increasing the chances of participating in violence. A notable example has
been in South Africa during the Apartheid uprising where hip-hop was initially used as a tool to
fight for freedom, but eventually turned into a way of propagating violence after a period of
racial segregation (Cundiff, 2013). In most instances, the music genre has featured lyrics that are
filled with slang that effectively propagates violence, sex and drug abuse. The trend has therefore
led to major concerns particularly for parents and teachers who find it difficult to control the
teenagers who are consistently fantasising about wealth, violence and a fascination with freedom
from parental guidance.
Conclusion
The press reports and academic research documents have indicated that hip-hop has had
numerous positive impacts on society as well as negative consequences. A critical evaluation of
hip-hop points to a direct correlation between the reports obtained from the press and those
reported in academic research that hip-hop impacts the society both positively and negatively.
With its origin in the United States, hip-hop has made a positive contribution towards the
development of the cultural practices of African-Americans in the US by facilitating the
development of talent, entertainment and the creation of public awareness on the importance of
diversity in national development. Both the research materials and press reports have noted the
benefits that have accrued to society as a result of the development of hip-hop music. Similarly,
research materials and press reports have noted the negative impacts that hip-hop has had on
society. Most notably, hip-hop has been linked to the acceleration of violent behaviour and the

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glorification of drug abuse, robbery with violence. There is therefore a need to establish relevant
legislation to help regulate the manner in which hip-hop is used by musicians in order to ensure
that it assists the society to develop instead of causing negative effects as reported by both press
and academic research.

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rights politics. New York: New York University Press.
Cundiff, G. (2013). The influence of rap and hip-hop music: An analysis on audience perceptions
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