Jill+W.+-+POSITION+PAPER

Essential Question: REVOLUTION, REACTION, REFORM-- HOW DOES REVOLUTION CHANGE SOCIETY? How does music culture influence society? = = = = = Rap lyrics have negatively influenced youth to behave amorally and to think that life should be the way that musicians portray it to be in songs, and it's up to the music producers to censor it for the rest of us. =

Everyone listens to music. No matter what age, what gender, or what race- everybody listens. Over time, America's music has transformed from mainly rock&roll to rap and hip-hop. Rap today contains explicit and vulgar lyrics that can influence children and young adults towards the topics musicians sing about. Musical artists are role models to kids, so they will follow what they say. How is rap culture influencing society? Rap lyrics have negatively influenced youth to behave amorally and to think that life should be the way that musicians portray it to be in songs, and it's up to the music producers to censor it for the rest of us. Teens nowadays have a skewed perception of reality due to music, and we can fix it by cleaning up explicit songs before they're aired on the radio.

In the past, music was different than it is today. Up until the mid 1980s, the popular music was disco, the beatles, and rock and roll. Rap and hip hop changed all that. Around 1985, Run DMC transformed hip hop's audience when they released a remake of Aermosmith's song "Walk This Way", which ended up being rap's first multi-platinum hit. Later in 1989-1990 rap truly became mainstream. Now, our current music has become a problem because this change has lead to influence kids and teens to think that life should be the way that the musicians make it sound. "Current artists have changed their sound from rock&roll to rap and hip hop, all with explicit lyrics and harsh ideas. This new music is widespread and can even spread into the minds of teens"(CBC News). Basically, anywhere you can hear music with these messages, you can also find teens and kids influenced by it.

The reaction to this problem has mainly been censored versions of songs on the radio, and parents keeping a closer eye on what their kids listen to. Only so much can be done though, once kids are out of the house what they do and listen to is up to them. According to an article from Teen Ink, "Sexual promiscuity and excessive profanity in modern music (hip hop is specifically mentioned) have also been said to affect the young psyche. Again quoting from the Suite 101 website: “Sexually explicit lyrics and mounds of profanity exuberate through certain hip hop songs [which] can have a negative effect on the thoughts and feelings of adolescents” (“Effects of Music on Children and Adolescents”). Though there is no well publicized study as to the truth of this theory, mere observation might be evidence enough. To the casual observer, it may seem clear that both music and society as a whole have become more promiscuous as time passes"(Olson, Kristian).

Music has always had a slight influence on society, and parents have been fighting back against it because of it's influence on their children since the 50s. Elvis is a great example of the power of influence. "The image of the young Elvis; mean and strong, standing in the defiant spotlight was, by definition, the very essence of the American cultural rebellion experience."(Campion, James). Most parents didn't want their kids to be influenced by the image that Elvis was giving off, but it was difficult to keep kids unexposed because his fame spread all over the United States. This shows how long we have been dealing with "negative influence" on society from music. Since the 50s we have had controversy between what is a negative influence and what is a neutral influence. However, today's negative influence for rap has been prominent compared the 80s and 90s rap, when it was just beginning.(Olson, Kristian David). When rap became the mainstream during the 1990s is when this problem truly began. Generations before the 90s didn't have to address this conflict because there weren't explicit lyrics in songs as often as todaytoday.(CBC News).

Music in past generations wasn't nearly as vulgar as it is today. Part of the problem now is that rap, the music that contains the most profanity, is among the most popular music nation-wide. On the top 25 songs list for 2011, the number 2 song of the year was rap, and so were 5 other highly placed songs.(Sheffield, Robb). In recent years, there has been a trend "hidden in the lyrics of the artiste who for some reason has discovered the power of 'sex and love' as the main and most selling ingredient of music"(AllAfrica.)By artists coming out with songs that talk about smoking weed and drinking liquor, they are influencing kids to do so because they look up those artists. According to Michael Chanda, a reporter for All Africa, "Artistes should be careful of their lyrics because music has an impact on the mind, spirit, soul and body. Due to the lyrics that are vulgar and sexual, many young people's minds have been corrupted resulting in some involving in illicit activities and eventually contracting STDS"(Michael Chanda).The influence on kids and teens' behavior is very wide-spread through out the country(CBC News.)

Despite the opinions shown by Chanda and CBC News, Dance teacher Santhosh Malliah has a different opinion on the current music and it's influence on society. "The last few years have opened up our society and culture to global forms of expression in music and dance"(Business Line). Malliah and other teachers told reporters for business line that the current music is so upbeat that it doesn't matter what the lyrics are, everything is going so fast that you barely notice the messages being portrayed. All but 7 of the 25 songs on the top 25 list for 2011 are very upbeat and are the kind of music you could dance to. (Sheffield, Rob). According to Malliah, music helps society open up and let lose, rather than influence them to do drink or do drugs- other factors influence society to do that, but not the music.

The explicit ideas coming from rap music is negatively influencing teens leading them to amoral and abusive behavior. Music of the late 90s and 21st century has negatively influenced society to think that life should be the way musicians portray it to be in songs. Kids see and hear musicians talking about sex, drinking and smoking, and follow their example. "Popular music may contribute to early sex. Music is an integral part of teens' lives. The average youth listens to music 1.5 to 2.5 hours per day. Sexual themes are common in much of this music and range from romantic and playful to degrading and hostile"(Ralph J. Clemente). When teens are constantly exposed to the explicit themes in songs, they begin to become immune to the ideas and think they are acceptable.(Olson, Kristian David.) The idea is pretty simple, people's behavior is linked to what they are exposed to daily (CBC News.) If someone is exposed to a certain type music daily, they will end up thinking the way the music influences them to.

To solve this problem of negative influence, I think government should limit society's exposure to overly explicit music, and censor it before it goes on the radio. By doing this, we can limit the exposure and influence of negative ideas to kids and young adults. This could be put into effect by having a music producers work to review and censor songs with explicit messages. This way the songs will either never make it to the radio, or if they do, they won't have negative messages in them. By reducing the exposure to explicit and degrading songs, teens will most likely not be as drawn to drinking, drugs, or sexual activity. According to Steven Martino, a Behavioral Scientist at the RAND Corporation, "Listening to music with degrading sexual lyrics is related to advances in a range of sexual activities among adolescents"(Steven C. Martino.) This musical revolution has changed society to believe that the way life is portrayed in songs, lyrics, and music videos, is the way it should be in real life. If laws are enforced to make it more difficult for society to be exposed to crude songs, the problem will be reduced. If people aren't exposed to the music, they can't be influenced by it. "Most of the songs on the top 25 playlist for 2011 were explicit"(Sheffield, Rob.) If the government can limit the amount of explicitness in songs, or not release them at all, it will make it very difficult for degrading songs to get as popular as they did last year. If we can start censoring and making it known that bad messages in songs aren't wanted, musicians might start writing songs with out degrading and crude messages so they can make it onto the radio. Artist Michael Chanda has already agreed to keep songs clean"(All Africa.) With one musician already against explicitness in songs, maybe other musicians will get the idea. By having a society less influenced by explicit music, we will have a society less concerned with sex, drugs, and drinking. This plan will achieve more successful outcomes than those in previous decades because music nowadays is reached through the internet, TV, and the radio. All three of those aspects can be censored. In the past, they didn't have the power to censor technology like we do today.

Time and time again. hip-hop and rap are being blamed for society going downhill. Anymore, it's hard to keep anything private out of the public sphere due to the advances in technology and the growth of networking. According to Keleefa Sanneh, a writer for the New York times,"...Mainstream culture is becoming more crude, and it's getting harder to keep the sordid stuff in the margins." Basically, if a rapper makes an explicit mixtape that could possibly have a negative influence, it's not their fault that teens listen to it. If you want to listen to it, you can. If you don't want to listen to it, you don't have to. "Nowadays, as all but most foes of hip-hop readily admit, this is not a debate about freedom of speech; most people agree that rappers have the right to say just about anything"(Sanneh, Keleefa). It's up to the musicians as to what they sing about, and it would be against the law to restrict that.

Just because somebody doesn't want to be influenced by negative messages in music doesn't mean that they won't be. Rap culture is everywhere. It's on the radio, on TV, and on the internet. "Teens who spend more time watching the sex and violence depicted in the "real" life of "gangsta" rap music videos are more likely to practice these behaviors in their life" (Clemente, Ralph J). Also, because of the advances in technology, rappers shouldn't release extremely crude mix tapes because of their availability. Although this definitely is not a debate over freedom of speech, artists should have at least some morals. Some of the songs released are just ridiculous. It may be illegal to restrict musicians' freedom of speech, but it isn't illegal to censor their songs or say they can't be released by radio to the public.

If my plan to restrict the spread of negative influence is enforced, less and less teens will be influenced to have immoral or abusive behavior. By having the music industry censor explicit songs before they go on the radio, we will save our society from becoming more "crude" than it already is. If society isn't exposed to explicit ideas, they will be less motivated to act that way. It won't even be a big deal to the die-hard rap fans, because they could still listen to their music- just not on the public radio.

When it comes down to it, who do you really think should be reviewing which songs are too explicit or offensive? "is it a group of middle-aged executives in an MTV boardroom? Or is it the audience at which such media is aimed at?...Not surprisingly, it would be decided by the people"(Teen Ink, Hashag). The people who are constantly exposed to media and "explicit" music should be the ones who decide what is or isn't appropriate for society. Music doesn't necessarily need to be censored. "The things we see, hear and buy have become so saturated in everyday society that we have become desensitized to their messages... We create what we are, not the other way around"(Teen Ink.) Teens can make decisions for themselves- Society and media's influence is minimal, and if anybody is going to "filter" what society is exposed to, it should be society themselves, not some random business leaders. Each individual can make good life choices, thats the way it's always been- even with out censoring of music.

Some of Hashag's ideas may be true involving the fact that middle-aged business men should not be the ones censoring and judging which songs should or shouldn't be aired, but normal people on the street shouldn't be doing it either. It should be up to the music producers to decide what songs are appropriate to be aired because it is their problem. They obviously want the songs to be aired, so they will influence the musicians to make less dirty songs with less negative influence. They will also be the ones dealing with the songs in the first place, so they shouldn't make it someone else's problem to go through and censor the songs that they produced. I also disagree with the statement about teens being "completely immune from media's influence." Some teens have become immune to music's influence, but not all teens have built up a tolerance like others have. If you are repeatedly exposed to explicit and degrading music, you're going to start to think that it's okay to act and say the things that musician's in their songs say. Lastly, I do agree with Hashag on the fact that individuals can make good decisions even with out music censoring, but it would be easier for people to make even better choices with out the influence of negative music.

My idea to keep music less crude by using music producers to clean up the songs before the go on the radio will benefit society in many ways. Less and less teens will be easily influenced by negative lyrics about drugs and sex because it won't be as easy to hear if it's not being played on the radio. Also, it will save people time if the music producers who are already working with the songs do the censoring instead of having somebody else do it.

Music is an art. Art is an expression of emotion, and there should be no limit on how a person expresses themselves. Since when as it been okay to tell someone what they can and can not say?“Freedom of expression” certainly indicates a scope broader than the mere “speech” actually mentioned in the First Amendment. Expression by writing, whether on clothing or elsewhere, is covered by the First Amendment protection. Music and the visual arts constitute “expression” such that the First Amendment applies. In fact, any form of expression or communication which is available to us is included within the concept of “speech” found in the First Amendment"(National Paralegal College.) So basically, the first amendment garauntees the people's right to freedom of speech- whether it be through song, or sometihng else. Music isn't an advertisement- it's expression. Legally there should be no regulations on someones freedom of speech, whether they make a profit off of it or not.

Sure, music is an art form, but that art can have a strong influence on people. Certain styles of music can influence teens towards drugs, sex, and violence because of the way musicians portray these topics in songs. Music can be considered commercial speech- "speech done on behalf of a company or individual for the intent of making a profit. It is economic in nature and usually has the intent of convincing the audience to partake in a particular action, often purchasing a specific product"(Franklyn Haiman.) Because music can be considered commercial speech, the government has a right to censor it if need be. Music is a form advertisement, just like commercials, and can use misleading ideas to influence people to buy their product, which isn't legal.

If my ideas are enforced on musicians and the music industry, I think that there will be many positive outcomes. The first major effect being that teens and younger kids won't be influenced negatively by music towards drugs sex and violence because it won't be aired on the radio, making it more difficult for children to become exposed to it. Also, it will force musicians to clean up their act so that they can be aired on the radio, making it so there is less crude music released over all. By both of these outcomes working together, we can form a society less involved with drugs, sex, and alcohol.

Music has always been a big part of America's culture, and over time it has changed from simple entertainment to playing roles in people's lifestyle choices. As children and teens become exposed to harsh words and sexual lyrics played in songs, the more they become used to these ideas and start to go along with them and think they're okay. This is a problem because these ideas really are not okay- the lyrics in rap songs about money and alcohol and drugs are so far fetched, it's giving youth a false idea of reality. Rappers do have the freedom to write and say what they want, but they shouldn't be allowed to share their crude ideas with naive children and teens who will believe just about anything that their "role models" will say. The music producers are the ones dealing with and releasing the music, so they should be the ones to go in and censor the songs for explicit lyrics before they are aired on the radio. It's up to them to release the music, so it should be up to them to censor it as well. Lastly, music isn't just an expression- it's a business. Every business uses techniques to sell their product, and the music industry does the same. Musicians use misleading ideas in their lyrics to sell their music, which means that it can be censored because they are influencing society so they can sell their product. By taking out some of the crude language from our top songs, we will help decrease the popularity of negative ideas in society. Music is a big part of almost everyones lives, and we should try to keep it positive by cutting out the negativity. "I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everybody loves music." - Billy Joel

Sheffield, Robb. "Top 25 Songs of 2011." www.rollingstone.com. Jann S. Wenner,21 Dec. 2011. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. <[]> This citation is a secondary source written by Robb Sheffield, an American journalist and editor for the Rolling Stone magazine. In this source the top 25 songs for 2011 were listed. I used this source for my project because it shows how much music has changed over time- from rock and roll to most of the top songs being rap and R&B.

CBC News. "Explicit lyrics tied to changes in kids' behavior." //CBCnews.com//. Sylvie Gadoury, 19 Oct. 2009. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. <[] health/story/2009/10/18/lyrics-children.html>. This citation is a secondary source written by one of the authors for CBC news. In this source it talks about how explicit lyrics are influencing kids to do the things mentioned in the songs and could be a main source for changes in behavior. I used this source because it matches my topic exactly and backs up my thesis statement.

Olson, Kristian David. "Effects of Music on Society." //teenink.com//. N.p., 17 Mar. 2012. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. <[] college_essays/article/300582/Effects-of-Music-on-Society/>. This article is a secondary source written by Kristian Olson, author of The Effects Of Music On The Mind. In this article, Olson talks about the impact of music on society and how sexually explicit lyrics can lead society to become more promiscuous as time passes. I used this source for my project to support my ideas on how music can negatively influence teens in society.

"MUSICIANS PLEDGE TO PLAY POSITIVE ROLE IN SOCIETY." AllAfrica. 03 Jan. 2012 eLibrary. Web. 11 Apr. 2012. This article is a secondary source written by a Staff Writer for the eLibrary curriculum edition who had read about Michael Chanda. Michael Chanda, a musician himself, took a stand by cautioning other musicians to watch what message their sending in their music. I thought I should use information from this article because it goes into detail on how musicians are influencing teens and society.

"BUSINESS LINE: India: Jive to body music." // Businessline //. 20 Nov. 2000: 1. // eLibrary //. Web. 13 Apr. 2012. This article is a primary source written by a reporter reporter/writer for businessline who interviewed a dance teacher about a blend of dance and exercise he started teaching. Santhosh Malliah, a dance teacher, talks about how the music has opened up society to be more open with each other and let go. I chose this article to use support on how music is positively effecting society, the opposite opinion shown through out the beginning of my paper.

Campion, James. "ELVIS PRESLEY." jamescampion.com. James Campion, 12 June 1996. Web. 13 Apr. 2012. <[]>. This is a secondary source article written by James Campion, a journalist and author. The basis of the article covers Elvis' life and his fame. I used this in my paper because it shows how there have been so called "negative" influences on society from music since back in the 50s.

Martino, Steven C. "Exposure to Degrading Versus Nondegrading Music Lyrics and Sexual Behavior Among Youth." //pediatrics.org//. American Acadamy of Pediatrics, 2 Sept. 2006. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <[]>. This is a primary source written by Steven C. Martino, a behavioral scientist. The article talks about the link between early sexual activity among teens and the provocative lyrics in songs. I used this in article because it backs up my thesis statement that music can play a negative impact on people.

Clemente, Ralph J. "Does Rap Put Teens at Risk?" www.webMD.com. © 2003 WebMD, 3 Mar. 2003. Web. 18 Apr. 2012 <[]>. This is a secondary source written by Ralph J. DiClemente, PhD, professor of public health. This page talks about how much more likely teens and kids are to become violent/sexual from a high exposure to music with explicit messages. I figured I should use this article because it's proof that supports my thesis.

Copley, Jennifer. "Rap Music's Psychological Effects." jennifercopley.suite101.com. Jennifer Copley, 8 May 2008. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <[]>. This article is a primary source written by Jennifer Copley, a freelance writer, researcher, and editor with 20 years' experience. She talks about rap and rap music videos specifically, and it's negative influence on teens and young adults. I'm using this in my paper because it talks about my topic and supports my point of view.

Sanneh, Kalefa. "Don't Blame Hip-Hop." www.nytimes.com. New York Times Company, 25 Apr. 2007. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. <[] music/25hiph.html?_r=1>. This is a secondary source written by Kalefa Sanneh, a writer for the New York Times newspaper. He talks about how it's not rap and hip-hop's fault for society becoming less prim. I used this to go against my opinion on this topic.

National Paralegal College. "Freedom of Expression." //[|www.nationalparalegal.edu]//. National Paralegal College, Sept. 2007.Web. 29 Apr. 2012. []>

This is a primary sourve written by a professor at the National Paralegal College. This source talks about first amendment rights and how music is an expression, and is protected by our right to freedom of speech. I used this source to support the opposite side of my argument.