The document investigates the negative influence of hip-hop and rap music on urban communities, particularly focusing on its impact on black people by promoting themes of violence and hypersexuality. It discusses the historical context of hip-hop, contrasting early empowering messages with modern explicit content, and raises questions about the effects of music on youth and possible solutions to mitigate violence in lyrics. The author also addresses opposing viewpoints regarding the roots of violence in music versus environmental factors.

1. Negative Influence of Hip-
Hop and Rap Music
Algivanni Brown

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.