ISSUE : PROS AND CONS OF RAP MUSIC

HELLO READERS!

PROS AND CONS OF RAP MUSICMusic is something that every person has his or her own specific opinion about. Different people have different taste, and various types of music have many ways of leaving an impact on someone. It can be relaxing, angering, soothing, energizing, and many more.
     Rap music has versatile styles depending on the lyrical content and the geographic location of the artist. The content can range from sex, drugs, race, religion, social issues, partying, crime, love and loss. Rap is often recognizable by the location, which plays a huge part in the beats and rhythm of the music, whether it's East Coast, West Coast, Midwest or Southern hip hop. There is also Christian rap, gangsta rap and reggaeton (a mixture of reggae and rap).
     According to the Allmusic website, rap music was born in the mid-1970s in New York's South Bronx and has showcased huge success since then, bringing forth many rappers who have climbed the musical charts. Public Enemy, Heavy D, MC Lyte, Run DMC, LL Cool Jay, Eminem and Jay-Z are just a few of the old school and new school rap artists who have contributed to the industry since rap's creation.
     It has been followed by popular rappers in Malaysia such as Malique and Altimet. Rap music had make an attraction towards teenagers and make it be place in soul of teenagers.
     The prons of rap music is a freedom of expression. Its lyrical content flows like poetry and often tells a story. It gives people a chance to see life through the eyes of someone else. It can be one of our free technic to release tension after working or study. The lyrics and flow of rap music sometimes can make us feel peace and forget about problems.
     A private college students, Felicia Lim, 20 years old said music has just like her heart and soul.
     “When I was busy with an assignment, I will turn on the music and feel free and freedom. It is a way how I release my tired”, she said.
     The cons of rap music is known for its explicit lyrical content and is often seen as derogatory toward women. Parents will find a parental advisory warning label on a majority of the albums. Some may find the lyrics to be shallow and meaningless.
     Private sector employees, Rahman Khairuddin, 42 years old said even the average of his age shown that he is old but he have a young soul.
     “I have three children who are still teenagers. They also interested in rap music and me too since I was young. I admit some rap music lyrics are not suitable for young people but for me it is normal for teenagers that already can judge which is good and bad”, he said.
     People may only see rap as part of the African American culture however, white rappers have stepped onto the music scene and impacted the industry over time, thus crossing cultural barriers. These rappers include Cypress Hill, Beastie Boys, 3rd Bass, Asher Roth and Eminem.
     Not all rap music is negative. For more positive messages, check out rap artists such as Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def and Talib Kweli. An increasing number of Malay and Christian rap artists, such as Cross Movement and Malique are focused on delivering positive messages.
     However, we must wisely select the songs and chosen a suitable song to be heard in order not to be abused.

Music reflects the mood.

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 Regards,
Hana Japre