Almost all of the music you hear nowadays is over-exaggerated for an artist to get more streams. It’s not so much about the art, but about the “marketing” of the artist, as they use their controversies to sell their “art.” We’ve seen rap music evolve from storytelling, to fun music, to outright degenerate. But what are the effects of this music on Western culture? And how is the music you’re listening to making you depressed?
Rap music started in the 1970s, and since has evolved drastically over the decades. In the 70’s rap originated from New York as DJs started isolating the percussion breaks of soul and disco songs. In the 80s there was the rise of more gangster rap, as the East Coast vs. West Coast beef was prevalent. In the 2000s and 2010s rap became more mainstream, as rappers often collaborated with RnB and pop artists, but thought-provoking rap was on the decline. Due to this we saw a rise in trap music, as well as a rise in drill music, and in 2018 rap overtook rock as the most popular music genre.
With the landscape constantly changing, what effects does rap have on the minds of the youth and how has it shaped the culture?
In today’s world, music is not just a form of entertainment; it’s a cultural force that shapes our values, beliefs, and behaviors. However, not all music contributes positively to our society.
Degenerate Rap And It’s Effects on Culture (Division in Culture)
Although the culture surrounding rap isn’t inherently bad, as it has influenced things like clothing, sparking creativity, etc. But rap is mainly characterized by explicit lyrics, glorification of violence, glorification of casual sex, and drug use, as degeneracy has become a dominant force in mainstream music. While artistic expression is valued, this type of music romanticises a destructive lifestyle. It creates a culture where violence and materialism are celebrated, and affects how people act, leading to societal divisions and conflicts.
Studies have shown a correlation between exposure to violent lyrics in rap music and aggressive behavior, as well as behavioral problems in adolescents. A study conducted in 2006 by the Prevention Research Center of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in Berkeley, Calif., suggests young people who listen to rap and hip-hop are more likely to abuse alcohol and commit violent acts. A survey in 2017 also revealed that 36.7% of people believe that rap glorifies violence.
Where rap started off as a means of expression, as rappers would talk about their struggles and the hardships they faced growing up. Rap developed into something more, a huge influence on culture, encouraging young and impressionable people to attain that lifestyle by any means necessary.
It’s alarming how these messages can shape impressionable minds. As the words we listen to can have a bigger impact on your subconscious mind than most people realise. Although rap music might not be the only genre that influences our culture, to suggest that “people only blame rap music for it’s negative influence on society” and not actually address that it does have a negative influence on society is ridiculous. Just because there are references to drugs, sex and other sorts of hedonism in other genres, doesn’t mean they’re equally as degenerate as rap
A post created by the University of New South Wales in 2016 found that 45% of US rap songs reference substance abuse, and subsequently a 2019 study linked the exposure of violent rap to increased aggression in listeners.
Trap & Drill’s Influence on The Youth
With trap music becoming very popular in the early 2010’s and drill music rising in popularity in the late 10’s and early 20’s there’s no doubt that these sub-genres of rap will have a negative influence on the mind of many who listen to it, especially the impressionable minds.
Trap music is known to glorify a lifestyle centered around criminal activity, promoting drugs, casual sex, murder and materialism. While drill rap is known for its aggressive lyrics and beats, depicting gang violence in an even more sinister way. And it could be said that this type of music, although it might sound good, can cause more harm than good, especially in poverty-stricken areas.
As it may influence more people to try to live this type of lifestyle in order to attain fame and recognition. Which will only glorify a lifestyle of violence and retaliation, perpetuating cycles of conflict and trauma within poorer communities. And it’s pretty safe to say that most of these degenerate rappers don’t have much talent, only the backing from major labels which obviously have the ability to promote any okay sounding song to the top of the charts.
On top of all of this rap music doesn’t only have a negative influence on young men, but on young women too, as these “rappers” may be influences in the eyes of many young impressionable women. For example, you have many female artists like Meghan Thee Stallion only talking about sex and and constantly shaking their ass. Which may cause listeners to act very degenerate, thinking that what is promoted by this degenerate “culture” is acceptable, dividing men and women even further, which takes us away from traditionalism.
The constant exposure to these themes in trap music and drill rap can desensitize young listeners to the dangers of illegal activities and lead to misguided aspirations. It creates a cycle of poverty and crime, further widening the socio-economic divide in our communities.
Yeah the music might get you fired up for the gym, but you feel brain dead after listening to it.
Beyond the explicit content and divisive themes, degenerate music also undermines traditional values and erodes cultural unity. By promoting hedonism over virtue and instant gratification over perseverance, it weakens the moral fabric of society. As modern rap music promotes individualism, materialism, and instant gratification, it takes us further away from community, morality, and discipline, all factors of a healthy society.
The commercializing and popularity of degenerate music prioritizes profit over artistic integrity, leading to a homogenized industry that stifles creativity and diversity of expression.
While degenerate music may have a pervasive presence in today’s media, we must recognize its detrimental effects and actively seek alternatives that uplift and inspire.
And yes, I know this music might sound alright, but by being mindful and aware of the type of music you listen to, you can choose what type of music you allow to affect you on a subconscious level, because if you only continue to listen to degeneracy there’s a high likelihood that you may start to adopt that way of living into your own way of living.
