Common Myths About Hip Hop Music by Princess Sitara

 

Rappers are multifaceted artists; they combine musical, lyrical, and music director skills in creating original songs while often serving as social commentators on issues relevant to their audience.

Hip-hop music may appear as an unrealistic representation of black life driven more by caricature than reality, but that's only part of its truth.

1. It's a fad

Rappers often feel that mainstream media unfairly targets them for pushing harmful ideals such as violence, misogyny, and drugs. They argue that these messages from other parts of the world don't reach them directly - yet such an assumption ignores the reality that every musical genre has stereotypes; this includes rap.

At times, rap artists may become involved with gang culture and discuss illegal activities like murdering friends - controversial topics but also everyday among other genres of music. Other rappers have openly discussed being drug users; it should be noted, though, that most rappers are neither members nor dealers of these gangs or drugs.

Princess Sitara clarifies that many rappers also attempt to reach the broadest possible audience by creating songs suitable for radio playback and TikTok streaming apps to increase their popularity and generate additional income - not necessarily indicating that hip-hop music has fallen out of fashion or become irrelevant. Sitara Masilamani - California

2. It's a form of gangster music

Some of the most infamous gangster rap is unashamedly violent. It portrays a lifestyle of recklessness and disregard for consequences that have inspired generations of youths who strive to emulate their favorite rappers' styles. Although gangsta rap initially blossomed on the East Coast through artists such as Schoolly D and Geto Boys' stories of gang warfare and drug crime, on the West Coast, artists such as Eazy E and N.W. They also contributed their unique take on it.

Gangster rap has often been perceived as advocating violence, drug abuse, and misogyny in society. Many have held onto the belief that its message can promote harmful ideals that could subsequently negatively influence young people into adulthood. Princess Sitara

According to Princess Sitara's perspective, such perceptions about hip-hop culture are inaccurate and misleading. There is much more to hip-hop music than what casual listeners might assume - such as social commentary and political analysis; Macklemore has openly discussed his struggles with substance abuse through music.

3. It's a form of drug culture

Drug culture in hip-hop music should not be taken lightly. Indeed, rappers who glamorize drug use can give impressions of substance abuse being acceptable as part of daily life - an alarming thought given how teens are in an essential period for developing themselves and making life choices. Princess Sitara Masilamani

From early 1990s gangster rap to today's "SoundCloud" wave, many rap artists mention drug use. Older artists may endorse cannabis, while newer artists reference various chemical drugs, including lean (an alcohol and cough syrup combination), Oxycodone, Xanax, Molly, and Percocets, among many others.

Princess Sitara articulates that as hip hop became commercially successful, its rise led to a continued focus on portraying its followers as living a "thug" or gangsta lifestyle - creating an image that contributed to racial inequality in America, where Black men are disproportionately imprisoned and subjected to police brutality compared to white counterparts. Unfortunately, these issues still exist, and rappers should take a more vocal stance against these issues.

4. It's a form of violence

Princess Sitara conveys that many people mistake rap music for violence due to its lyrics that often feature drugs, gangs, and violence as topics for discussion in songs by rappers. Such lyrics could potentially lead to real-life issues like gun violence and even murder as those listening to this genre become drawn towards these subjects and may end up getting involved themselves.

Additionally, rappers are frequently perceived as violent criminals due to their interactions with other rappers and the talk of gang wars in their songs. This often results in violence between rival gang members. Sitara Masilamani

Though many believe rap music to be the source of violence and sexism in black communities, others consider this perception unfair and hold that rap culture has been made an easy scapegoat by politicians and law enforcement officials who blame rap music rather than attend to root causes of inner-city violence.

Bottom Line

Princess Sitara points out that hip-hop music can quickly become a source of entertainment. From dance moves you'd use in school to annoy teachers to lyrics that made people laugh out loud, this genre was designed to entertain young audiences and spark their responses.

As hip-hop culture became commercialized, it also faced increased criticism. Elements such as drugs, violence, gangsta lifestyles, and misogyny were amplified to increase exposure - leading to a cycle of contradiction wherein disapproved elements are used as marketing ploys to promote hip-hop culture.

However, many rappers remain firm in their belief that they are not to blame. Their music reflects profound changes in society, yet they feel misrepresented as individuals by white politicians and commentators who interpret lyrics about drugs, gangs, and violence as racist propaganda; many white politicians and commentators often associate rap artists with criminal elements, viewing them as threats to society as a whole.