The Causes and Effects of Obesity

Background Information 

The rise of Hip-hop music and culture has a profound impact on society. Hip-hop is a powerful instrument that is deeply rooted in the political struggle of the black minority in the USA (Ganesh, 2015). Over the years, musicians have used Hip-hop to discuss various social issues like racial discrimination, leisure, gender modification, and violence among other topics. The integration of Hip-hop music in culture has led to growing concerns that rap music negatively affects the morality of people in society. Hip-hop musicians are role models that strong influence on people’s behavior, their song lyrics and videos remain etched in the brain, and how they approach different topics dictates the reactions of the audience. 

Role Models 

Hip-hop musicians are regarded as role models especially by many teenagers living in the age of the Hip-hop cultures. The music artists are much respected and admired by other people who emulate their characteristics and attitude towards different issues (Ganesh, 2015). For example, many young people copy their idols’ dress code and aspire to be like them in the future. Many Hip-hop artists tend to glorify immoral behavior like gun violence, gangster lifestyle, smoking, living life on the fast lane, and greed even though these practices are immoral. As a result, the people begin to accept and normalize these ideas and such behavior becomes the norm in the society. For example, the glorification of marijuana smoking in Hip-hop music in the 1980’s led to a significant influence on the number of people abusing the drugs and people willingly broke the morality code. 

The opposing argument is that Hip-hop music reinforces the pre-existing attitude and ideas. Although Hip-hop artists are a force to reckon with, their behavior is not emulated by everybody in the society. Some people simply enjoy listening to Hip-hop, but they do not change their behavior to comply with the ideal world presented in the music. However, individuals engage in immoral behavior are more receptive to the ideas presented by the artists, and they use the music to rationalize their bad conduct. For example, marijuana smokers feel justified to continue with their drug abuse because it is an integral component of the Hip-hop culture. Besides, some Hip-hop artists advise people to uphold moral conduct. 

Preference for Hip-hop Music 

Additionally, the preference for Hip-hop music exposes the society to lyrics promoting immoral behavior. There is a notable increase in the use of explicit language in Hip-hop lyrics, and everybody in the society is exposed to this content. Many Hip-hop songs today portray women as sexual objects who do not deserve to be accorded respect by men (Harakeh, & Bogt,2018). Moreover, there are many controversial Hip-hop lyrics targeting the LGBT community. Children and adolescents listen to music indiscriminately regardless of the type of message contained within the song. On the other hand, it is difficult for parents to monitor the type of music their children listen to on a daily basis. Due to the poor cognitive ability of young people, their personal development is negatively influenced by the music. As a result, they pick up abusive language from the music, and they are not afraid to use the academic terms in their daily activities. Exposure to violent Hip-hop music increases the probability of aggressive and violent behavior. 

A counter argument is that people listen to Hip-hop music primarily for entertainment purposes. A significant proportion of people rarely listen to the lyrics of the Hip-hop song as it plays in their background; hence they are unaware of the message. The remaining percentages of the audience listen to music but are aware that the information is inapplicable in real-life scenario. As a result, Hip-hop music is not to blame for declining morality exhibited by people’s actions, Therefore, listening to a Hip-hop song advocating for gangster life does not necessary mean that the audience will focus on attaining the title of the most feared gangster in their community. 

Sensation Seeking Behavior 

Additionally, the adoption of the Hip-hop culture as presented by the artists is part of sensation seeking behavior of Hip-hop music audience. Sensation seeking is a psychological condition that occurs when people yearn to fulfill an arousal by performing a specific act. The sensations in music are linked to the lyrics and videos. There are different levels of sensations among individuals, for example, extroverted people have a higher probability of engaging in self-pleasurable activities compared to introverted persons. Regardless of individual sensation levels, listening to Hip-hop music stimulates sensations and indulging in these sensations leads to gratification (Lämsä, 2017). Noteworthy is that Hip-hop music arouses sensations to live a reckless life and the audience responds by engaging in dangerous activities like driving at a fast rate and acquiring guns to feel in control. Although people are aware that living dangerously exposes them to trouble with the law, they simply ignore the risk in their desire for short-term gratification. 

However, sensation seeking behavior start from a young age and is influenced by varying environmental and psychological factors. There is a notable gender difference in sensation seeking behavior of men and women (Dunkel, 2016). Other factors contributing to this phenomenon include family background and peer influence. For example, individuals that grow in unstable families are more likely to engage in activities that accord them more pleasure, while those from supportive families exercise more caution (Dunkel, 2016). Following this discussion, it is plausible to conclude that everybody has sensations and the individual right to determine whether to pursue them or not. Therefore, the decision to smoke marijuana or own a gun to get the full experience of the Hip-hop culture is a personal decision and should not be blamed on the Hip-hop music. The information also suggests that people would react the same way under different conditions, for example, attempting to live the life of a pop-star. 

Conclusion 

The Hip-hop culture evolves over time, and every generation attaches a different meaning to the Hip-hop music. Hip-hop artists know that music is a powerful tool of communication, and they use it as a medium to express their ideas and influence the people. However, the artists are expected to maintain their reputation, and this objective is achieved by singing using street language. Moreover, Hip-hop music contains deregulatory statements that have a significant impact on people’s perceptions. Hip-hop music affects morality because the artists act as poor role models and creating wrong sensations despite their awareness of people’s preference for Hip-hop music. The counter arguments state that peoples’ behavior is shaped by other factors apart from music, and they listen to music because it is entertainment and not because it reflects their feelings. All in all, regardless of the link between declining morality and Hip-hop music, the effects cannot be underestimated. 

References 

Dunkel, P. B. L. (2016). Music preferences predictability towards risky behavior (Bachelor's thesis, University of Twente). 

Ganesh, B. (2015). Traversing Racial Distance in Hip-hop Culture: The Ethics and Politics of Listening. Tropos, 2(1), 22-31. 

Harakeh, Z., & Bogt, T. F. T. (2018). The Effect of Rap/Hip-Hop Music on Young Adult Smoking: An Experimental Study. Substance use & misuse, 1-7. 

Lämsä, N. (2017). The influence of role models in metal musicians’ composing and career: How do the songs come alive? 

Essay Outline 

Background Information 

Role Models 

Hip-hop musicians are regarded as role models especially by many teenagers living in the age of the Hip-hop cultures. 

The opposing argument is that Hip-hop music reinforces the pre-existing attitude and ideas. Preference for Hip Hop Music 

Preference for Hip Hop Music 

Additionally, the preference for Hip-hop music exposes the society to lyrics promoting immoral behavior. 

A counter argument is that people listen to Hip-hop music primarily for entertainment purposes. 

Sensation Seeking Behavior 

Additionally, the adoption of the Hip-hop culture as presented by the artists is part of sensation seeking behavior of Hip-hop music audience. 

However, sensation seeking behavior start from a young age and is influenced by varying environmental and psychological factors. 

Conclusion