"Equally important, the effects of rap and hip-hop music on American youth can be positive, yet can be very destructive. On the positive side, they can make a person feel good about who they are. They may not live a good life, but they can relate to the lyrics in the song. “Got my worried, stressin’, my vision’s blurried. The question is will I live. No one in the world loves me. I’m headed for danger, don’t trust strangers. Put one in the chamber, whenever I’m feeling this anger. Don’t wanna make excuses cause this is how it is. What’s the use unless we’re shootin? No one notices the youth. It’s just me against the world baby” (Shakur 16). In this rap song, rapper Tupac Shakur expresses his anger and frustration to the world. Rap and hip-hop lyrics also make youth feel free and powerful. They are free to express what they want to express."
“a religion for troubled youth”
placerat
Hip-Hop Reader / May 2014 11