Hip Hop
Essay Preview: Hip Hop
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One factor in hip hops influence on todays youth is the fact that artists have a way to voice how they feel towards the society through music. Through their music and lyrics, the artists are able to relay their opinions on the way the government is, the ills of the society, and anything they feel the youth needs to know. There is so much hate and violence out in the society these days that the youth needs something or more of form to let their anger and frustrations out. Their music is unique to their generation. They have their own style of writing and expressing themselves. Jeremy Miller says that “its just powerful music to me, and I think the white kids into it now really feel the power in the music in the way its put together.” Most found in it something original, a music with a message.
Another leading factor in hip-hops influence on todays youth is its lyrics. Hip-hop artists lyrics make an impact on todays youths because it is easy for them to relate to the topic they are talking about. In their lyrics, they talk about what they feel. Whether it is about love, family, loss, or the government, white and black youths have a way to relate to each other through the way the artist relays it in their lyrics and music. Contrary to what most people may think about their lyrics, hip-hop artists will write what ever is on their mind as long as they get a message out. They didnt care if the were hurting someone or if they were going against what our government stands for, they still wrote what was on their mind. They wanted to give todays youth, whether black or white, a chance to know what is out there and what is going on in the world. It gave them a voice to tell the truth and exposed the ills of society, especially racism and our hypocritical government. The government wants us to get rid of racism in the society, but in reality they havent gotten rid of racism within themselves. The government thinks that just because someone is part of the hip-hop world, that they are no good; they have no place in this world; they have no potential. But since the government and society dont have faith in todays youth, they turn to the sanctuary of hip-hops words and music and embrace it and become someone else.
It was during the 1990s when white youth were first attracted to hip hop. It was not only arts alone that captured them. It was the fact that they could find a sense of political orientation.
Kitwana mentions that “some white youths at least sympathized with Black issues whereas in the current climate hip-hop is mainstream pop culture and being immersed in Black culture or even having Black friends is not a prerequisite. Hip hop was an appealing counterculture for them. Hip-hop, whether it is being listened to by white youth or black youths, is a form of rebellion. This lead to hip-hop