My Arguments Why Rap Music Should Be Censored
Music is defined as ''vocal or instrumental sounds combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion''. Rap or hip-hop songs are also part of art, comprising very inspiring messages, stories or author’s feelings. But some of them have inappropriate lyrics about sex, violence and drugs I do not tolerate and should be censored. Yet is rap the second most listened music genre in the United States. Would not be better if people went in nature or do sports instead of sitting in front of their computer and listening to vulgar lyrics?
My first argument for censoring rap songs is that rappers use too much swearing words and inappropriate expressions connected to sex, women and racism. In general, there are 220 cuss words in each rap album. Furthermore, children and young teenagers are listening to that. Their brains are still developing so they are very susceptible to start using that kind of words too, which will neither be appreciated by their parents nor school teachers. Opponents will try to prove that everybody has a freedom of speech. But John Stuart Mill once suggested that: 'The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. ' And rap music does harm people. This is what I’m going to discuss next.
I have an example of a line taken from a song Karate Chop, which goes: ''Beat the pussy up like Emmett Till''. Not only it does contain a humiliating expression for a woman, it also promotes violence. Therefore, my second point is that hip-hop songs should be censored because they encourage people to criminality and aggressive behaviour. A study conducted by Sir Kirchheimer has shown that people who listen to this kind of music more than 14 hours per week are three times more likely to hit a teacher, 2. 5 times more likely to get arrested and 1. 5 times more likely to use drugs or alcohol. That’s a fact. Not only authors use language that incites weapon use, spousal abuse and homophobic attacks, crimes are not presented as unacceptable but a lifestyle of people who have gained wealth by drug dealing or gun use is even glorified. Opponents will say that rappers want to teach children what is wrong by narrating them about crime. However, researches (also the one mentioned by me) show that criminality rate is not lower if people listen to rap.
Rap songs are very popular, thus record producers get a lot of profit. If rap songs were censored, we would cut the power of authors to come up with music just to sell. They will start making songs with inspiring messages, deeper meanings and symbolism. For instance, last year the 10 highest-paid rap stars earned $405. 5 million, easily besting the most prolific money-makers in the USA. Do you think Lil Wayne's song: ''Come on, nigga Come on, time to do it nigga /. . . / 100 rounds tore the whole entire block down assault rifle with a drum and beam totter / 38 with a speed loader in my holster,'' is worth of 17 million dollars profit he has got over a year?
Rap music is one the most problematic genres, because its lyrics involves crime, racial and cuss words. If for example, racism causes a scandal on TV, why do we tolerate it in music? Does it make any sense? This is a deep problem which should be solved by a law. Paul Harvey once said: ''Self-government will not work without self-discipline. '' I strongly believe that also music will not work without censorship.
