Raps Influence in Teens

Everyone in the world listens to music. There are many different styles of music including; R&B, Rap/Hip Hop, Rock, Metal and so many more kinds. In today’s society, children and teens are likely to incorporate what they listen to into their lives. Teens in particular are easily influenced by the glitz and glamour of musical artists. The style of music that has the most influence on people’s lives is Rap music. In particular “gangster rap” has made its mark on society since the early 90’s.

When I was 15, two weeks before my 16th birthday, I had sex for the first time. It was not planned at all. My boyfriend at the time was listening to a rapper named Lil Wayne. His lyrics were so demeaning yet they had so much power to them. I remember the exact lyrics that started the whole thing. In one of his songs he raps “It’s time for us to f*#k, no more liquor in my cup.” My boyfriend looked at me and with his very romantic self said “Do you want to do it?” My first response was no, I’m only 15 and I’m too young. Not ever did I say that I was not ready.

He took advantage of that fact and persisted that I was ready. He even had a speech on how people now have sex at younger ages than I. Of course trying to please my boyfriend I gave in and had sex. To this day I blame the lyrics of that song. If we were not listening to that song then I feel he wouldn’t have asked to have sex. Although it may have been on his mind, without that song and those lyrics I would still have my virginity today.

Rap music has changed since its emerge in the 1980’s. “Have you ever went over a friends house to eat and the food just aint no good. I mean the macaroni's soggy the peas are mushed and the chicken tastes like wood” Lyrics like these from The Sugarhill Gang’s Rapper’s Delight were innocent. With an upbeat tempo and positive lyrics, rap music was about having fun. Today, however, the lyrics are more raunchy and degrading. Since more teens are listening to this genre of music they are becoming more and more influenced by the lyrics degrading women, lyrics referring to violence and drugs, and lyrics talking about sex. The question is, is rap music the cause behind teens mischievous and shocking behavior?

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