I am not writing a heated blog weather rap should or shouldn't be listened to, but rap itself is an important topic for several reasons. With the revolutionizing of technology, one of the primary areas being transformed in our consumer lives is music. I know the baby boomers and X gen folks think they cared about music a lot, and trust me, where do you think the Y gen got their behaviors from in the first place, but music is a fundamental component of every young person's self definition.
Everyone I know my age uses music to define who they are. It is the biggest social connector, the biggest influence on cognitive developments, and really the biggest thing my generation cares about. Y gen neeed constant stimulation, and that is supplied by their musical investments. Music is relatively cheap and harmless from a parents perspective, but music shapes who they are, in most cases, more than parents do after they reach a certain level of cognition.
So now we come to rap. Rap can be intellectually and morally challenging for anyone listening. Its contents are vast and styles infinate, truly. But when observing rap artistry from the last 15 years, you tend to notice its real social impact on its listeners. It is not that those listening to rap engage in violent behavior or reckless hedonism because the music idolizes this behavior. In some cases, yes this is true. But I see some of the sweetest, young girls listening to rap. We see countless "hipsters" and "popular kids" and athletes and nerds and you name the demographic- they listen to rap. These kids aren't all joining together in a social revolution to destroy the moral foundation of their parents, no, something I believe that may be longterm more detrimental is occuring.
What is going on here? Those who listen to rap are becomming numb. There are several other social contributers to this phenomenon of young people- mainly deriving from our constant need and supply of stimulation. The superficial content of most pop rap is so base and primal that its listeners have no need to feel anything. I say this from experience. Many times when I was feeling overwhelmed from grief or anger or confusion, I didn't want to listen to my angsty and thoughtful alternative music, I wanted rap. I would listen to rap, hear something outrageous and dumb that I didn't necessarily agree with, and bump along to the beat. And I never necessarily feel better, I just quit feeling anything.
Certainly, some emotions are evoked purposefully in rap- rage, lust, excitement, happiness all can be generated from listening to it. Some more poetic rap artists are so articulate, they've made me cry from the deep and heartfelt content they pour out. But in most cases, I find that prolongued exposure to rap doesn't necessarily change the moral values you posess, simply from the contrasting moral framework, it just makes you care less and less about morals. Values- things you were taught to hold dear, are things you don't care about as much. You become less inclined to emotionally engaged in anything. Feeling passionate and inspired aren't as appealing anymore because that requires you to believe in something, and its easier to not believe in anything. Its easier to keep listening to something that isn't real and you don't take too seriously than to be serious.
My generation is connected to the world and disconnected from themselves and from their parents. We'll care about some things, but as long as it poses no risks or challenges for us personally. We've seen our parents battle about so many different things- religion, politics, science, world views- and we don't see the point in all this fighting. We think that as long as no one cares about something too much, everyone will be happier and easier. To a certain extent, us young people are right. But this is extremely concerning for me. If we are all trying to achieve constant stimulation and desensitization to pressing issues, then what will we have when the time comes to stand for something real?
What will we be able to stand for other than what we listen to? I'm not just conserned about religious faith, I'm concerned with the practice of faith in its entirity! We're losing our ability to trust in and care about things that require personal investment. We accept everything and do nothing because we don't see the point. Its because of what were listening to, and its because of who is raising us. Mom and Dad, stop telling your kid to "stop listening to rap! Its horrible and bad!" because they know that. Give them reasons for values and morals other than superficial consumer enterprises. Show them why emotions are important. Show them the hurting world around them. And show them that you're not going to fight with other people all the time. Because in a few decades, were going to have a real mess on our hands.
If you listen to rap and disaggree with me, finding my assertions rude, I am truly sorry. There are many exceptions to the generalizations I've made. I know many good people who listen to rap, and I know many versions of good rap that don't do any of the things said mentioned. I just had to make these generalizations for the sake of being consise.
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