Table of contentsIntroductionProblematic issues in rap musicDrugsViolence and crimeMisogynyConclusionIntroductionRap music is enjoyed by many people, including me- same, and has become one of the most consumed genres of music among people according to several studies and professionals. Although it is one of the most popular music genres, it also has a huge influence on people, especially young people. Rap music has historically been problematic and encouraged antisocial behavior such as selling or using drugs, talking about violent crimes, and having misogynistic lyrics. However, in recent years, these topics have become a big concern for the genre as rappers' lyrics and music videos have become more intense. These concerns need to be addressed and resolved, as many professionals and researchers argue that the influence of rap music has become negative in nature. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayProblematic Issues in Rap MusicDrugsOver the past decade, rappers have increasingly glorified drug use significantly more dangerous than alcohol or marijuana, such as cocaine, lean, adderall, molly, percocets and xanax in their lyrics and clips. Nowadays, almost every rap song is about the use of these drugs. A study of drug references in rap, from 2005 to 2008, showed that 77% of the most popular rap songs included a reference to drug use, as noted in an article titled The Rise of Glorification drugs in the history of hip-hop. These references continue to multiply and this can be seen in their words. Take the example of Travis Scott and NAV's Biebs in the Trap when NAV raps: "I just poured an 8 in a quart, I put some Jolly Ranchers in it, make it sweeter, Versace my clothes, I'm with a white whore, and she sniffing three lines like Adidas, I got a black girl rolling Molly, I got a white female dog sniffing snow. In these few lines, NAV made reference to lean cocaine use, snorting and taking molly on several occasions. The increasing glorification of these drugs is alarming because these drugs have been proven to pose serious health risks and rappers themselves are dying from overdoses. Lil Peep, who was an up-and-coming rapper, died on November 15, 2017 from a xanax/fentanyl overdose. This is all the more worrying as people, particularly young people, are exposed to these references on a daily basis and are easily influenced. The Pacific Institute of Research and Evaluation conducted a study of 1,200 California participants ages 15 to 25 and reported that 70 percent of participants who listened to rap also admitted to drug use, suggested by an article titled How Are Hip Hop and Rap music affecting youth. This reinforces that rappers glorifying the use of these drugs influence people in a negative way because people are encouraged to try using potentially harmful drugs that the rappers glorify in their music. Violence and Crime Similar to drug use, in recent years rappers have glorified violence such as assaults, shootings, murders, and a variety of other violent acts in their lyrics and music videos. Lyrics that mention these topics are common and can be seen in several songs. A notable example is Armed and Dangerous by Juice WRLD when he says: "Arm me, no need for bodyguards, aim at your body parts, remove your body parts." » In these lyrics, Juice WRLD states that he doesn't need a bodyguard to protect himself because he carries his own gun and will take off someone's body parts when he aims and shoots above. It is also a concern as it promotes violence, and people who are easily influenced, such as young people, might think that shooting, stabbing, or fighting someone are acceptable ways to handle conflict. Studies conducted by Western Connecticut State University found that people who listened to rap songs with intense lyrics were also more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior, as reported in an article titled What influence and effects does rap music have? her on today's teenagers. The researchers also noted that social and financial background played a role in how the participant was influenced by the violent words. This reinforces the fact that lyrics that glorify violence have a negative impact on people because it makes them more violent and aggressive. This also indicates that different factors can potentially impact how violent speech influences a person. MisogynyMisogyny and the degradation of women in lyrics and music videos are also prevalent concerns in the rap genre. Rap songs and music videos often portray women as sexual objects or lower in status than men. There are countless rap songs in which rappers talk about having sex with women and rapping about their bodies. A notable example of these lyrics is in 6ix9ine's Fefe, when he says: "I got this super dip, Hit that, She a Fefe, Her name Keke." » According to Genius, a “Fefe” is a pretty girl, but it is also a sex toy or artificial vagina made and used by prisoners. These words imply that he is sleeping with a pretty girl. Not only that, but 6ix9ine uses a "Fefe" as a metaphor to compare the girl he has sex with to a sex toy, implying that the girl he has sex with is just an object or a sex toy for him. Additionally, rap songs almost always refer to women with derogatory terms such as sluts or whores. An article titled Mitigating the Effects of Misogyny in Rap and Hip Hop Music states that in February 2018, the top 25 Billboard rap songs were analyzed and it was reported that 18 of the 25 songs referenced women as derogatory terms. This is a particularly high number, especially since rap songs that did not appear in the top 25 were not analyzed. Additionally, music videos also show women wearing little or no clothing, or clothing that reveals their breasts or buttocks. Some examples of these music videos include Taste by Tyga, Drip Too Hard by Lil Baby and Gunna, and Pick Up the Phone by Young Thug. All of these music videos feature women dancing in the background with either revealing clothing or no clothing at all. These factors all play a role in devaluing women by making them appear as sexual objects and social unequals and changing the way people perceive women. Derek Brown, a former gang member, explained how rap influenced his life in an article titled Former Gang Member Speaks About the Influence of Rap Music. He said: "I remember listening to NWA and they were singing '(F-word) That Police,' and I became someone who believed in that kind of language, and in low-level women, and I..