The Role of Violent Rap Music in Aggression/Deviant Behavior in Adolescents - Essay Example

This research assesses whether violent rap has an influence on the aggressive and deviant behavior of young children. It examines the development of the whole rap industry. It identifies that the association with certain rappers and/or certain peer groups that relates with a component of the gangsta rap community promotes young people to go into crime. The research also establishes that music has a profound influence on the brains of people. The research goes on to examine empirical research on the linkage between young people and violent crime.

The research concludes with the major findings and observations found in the existing literature. Keywords: Adolescents, Gangsta Rap, Violence, Crime, Social Learning, Young, Youth. Introduction and statement of the problem Gangsta rap is a genre of rap music that portrays the violent lifestyle of people, mainly African-Americans in violent and deprived sections of cities in the United States. Gangsta rap involves the use of aggressive and violent words that are 'recited' alongside an instrumental.

Gangsta rap is also presented over the media through music videos which sends messages to the public. Gangsta rap “. emerged in the latter part of the eighties, brought the violence of inner-city life into the music and out into the world” (Campbell, 2008 p. 290). Rap has become popular in America and the rest of the world because of its ability to present the violence and foul language of the Black communities in cities in America. The growth of rap music has influenced various sections of the American and global community.

One of the biggest target groups of rap music is the community of young adults and adolescents, both Black and White, male and female (Best & Kellner, 1999). These people are between the early teens and adulthood. These people are very much vulnerable to the effects of violent rap music. This is because they are energetic and are more prone to the entertainment industry. They are thus likely to tilt towards dominant and appealing songs and videos on the markets. However, due to the fact that they are not fully consenting adults who can take firm decisions about what to incorporate into their normal lives, they face a major challenge in controlling the effects of gangsta rap on their lives.

“Teens today face tough issues and tough choices. Parents and youth leaders can make a difference by really understanding the culture in which teens live” (Mueler, 1999 p1). Although parents and leaders in the community are more responsible for helping teens to build a strong adulthood, there is the chance that the effects of foul language and graphic images of gangsta rap can make it difficult for parents and community leaders to inspire adolescents toward positive behavior. “Not only in rap but also in film, fashion and love, Black youths are changing the name and shape of an addictive new climate that blends fashions, sports, music and sex, an addictive climate that powers the $164 billion youth market” (Ebony, 2004 p72).

Although the effects of gangsta rap is not direct, or delivered in person on a one to one level (as opposed to parents and community leaders), the effects of music’s influence can have strong potential to corrupt the morals and virtues of young people. This is because gangsta rap preaches violence and presents anti-social behavior in a positive light. It is therefore logical to hypothesize that gangsta rap might have some correlation between violent and aggressive behavior amongst young adults.

In the early 1990s, “Rapper Tupac Shakur was sued in a Federal District Court in Southeast Texas by the widow of a slain state trooper who was allegedly gunned down while