Rap music is...

[Jeeti]

With that said, Summy, in my personal opinion, I feel that African American's have certainly come a long way from their oppressive history. They are a race that is consistently targeted and yet they have displayed possibly some of the greatest strengths in humanity. Overcoming slavery and gaining independence, respect and civil rights is the greatest victory over the oppressor. Indians and Pakistanis have done the same, so to compare the two on their quests for independence is certainly welcomed and encouraged. It draws our ethnicities together. Within the quest of the African American population, I feel that one of their greatest accomplishments is taking control and ownership of a word that is historically the root of evil. They have taken this word away from their oppressors; that is POWER.

Let me say first that Nikhil and Summy are in a great discussion...not to break it up, but the only aspect of your argument I can't seem to grasp, Nikhil, is your statement above regarding how continuing to use the N word is somehow power. The fact that a derogatory term of their past is now being used by their own people doesn't in my opinion seem to be an exercise in power. In fact, it does not seem to make much sense...wouldn't they rather eliminate the word altogether ..if not for anything else, for the history of the word itself? If there are African Americans anywhere offended by the word, why use it? Just get rid of it, plain and simple. By using the word, they are alienating themselves. Both of you enjoy the diversity of college campuses and the disregard as to color of skin, but isn't the use of the word highlighting someone's color of skin instead of disregarding it. I use the word disregard carefully... It is one thing to be proud to be Indian, or proud to be African American, but it seems that the "exclusivity" of the use of the N word is racist in itself and completely trumps the fight against racism in society.

 

[Summy]

Let me say first that Nikhil and Summy are in a great discussion...not to break it up, but the only aspect of your argument I can't seem to grasp, Nikhil, is your statement above regarding how continuing to use the N word is somehow power. The fact that a derogatory term of their past is now being used by their own people doesn't to my opinion seem to be an exercise in power. In fact, it does not seem to make much sense...wouldn't they rather eliminate the word altogether if not for anything else, but for the history of the word itself. If there are African Americans anywhere offended by the word, why use it? Just get rid of it, plain and simple. By using the word, they are alienating themselves. Both of you enjoy the diversity of college campuses and the disregard as to color of skin, but isn't the use of the word highlighting someone's color of skin instead of disregarding it. I use the word disregard carefully... It is one thing to be proud to be Indian, or proud to be African American, but it seems that the "exclusivity" of the use of the N word is racist in itself and completely trumps the fight against racism in society.

AMAZING POST. Right on the dot.

"but isn't the use of the word highlighting someone's color of skin instead of disregarding it".

Perfect sentence. It highlights not only a person on the basis of their race, but also with a word that has about 300 years of undeniable negative connotations to it. Name ONE other race, that allows a word based in racism to continue on in whatever form. The worst part is rap music is pushing back efforts of so many miniorities on stopping that word. From cases that reached the SC about the usage of the word, to people dying in civil protest for their kids not being called the word, there has been so much progress. Then, rap music, a miniority of the population, a VERY SMALL miniority (usage of the word stems to Africa, and other parts of the word) has decided to continue to use the word for a less than admirable reason. Very disheartening. Nikhil, it may be hard to question a culture your part of (believe me, I know haha) but its essential for the furtherment of us as a community.

The opposition the letting the n word continue in academic circles still exist. Read this Yale story:


http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/7512


---

To understand the POV that Jeeti and myself are trying to get through... notice the FIRST LINE:

Alderman Yusuf Shah put forth a resolution that called for people of all colors to come together, show mutual respect for each other and refrain from using the word "nigger" in all forms and contexts.



Obviously this speaks to why it is essential that all miniorities be against the word, for reasons I have explained many times.

 

[Waleed]

"Rap music is..." We are on a completely different topic.

I have been following this discussion for the past few days and I have to say that there have been some great points raised by people on both sides of the divide. I really don't have a tough stance on this, but here is my take on the issue:

1. The word
There is a difference in implication and meaning in the word n*gga and n*gger. One has always been used as a substitute for 'dude', 'friend' and 'man' while the other is clearly used in hate speech. Summy,Jeeti are both of you for completely removing both words from our vocab? or just the one with ending "er".

2. It's use
I lived in New York city for a few years before moving to upstate. Believe me, the word isn't limited to black people only. It is used by African Americans, Caribbean Americans....Latinos, Koreans, Desis, pretty much every race you can think off.

3. It's implications
What I am curious to know is how does the elder generation feel about this word. Especially the generation of African and Caribbean Americans who fought for the civil rights we as minorities, currently enjoy? How do they feel when they hear both versions of this word?

Just some food for thought - looking forward to your response.

 

[Summy]

Its the same word Waleed. The one used as friend, is a derivation of the one during lynching. There is no difference in the word.

Both, if you want to say there is two, needs to be banned. The fact that it is used by other races is worst. Probably never hear that word meaning "friend" in any academic circles...

Im sure the older generation who had the word screamed at them... And asking them why their kids had to scrounge for food and get sub par education, hosed, burned to death, raped, murdered... im sure they wouldnt be too pleased with the -a replacing the -er and making the whole thing right again.

This discussion has to do with rap's morality. Just because we arent evulating the exact question or name of the thread doesnt mean it doesnt have anyting to do with it.

 

[Jeeti]

Exactly...n---a is just a derivation of the original word and does not really change the conditions. Also...I can't believe I am saying this, but after reading the arguments put up on this forum...Rap music is probably the main vehicle by which other races began to use the word...In pittsburgh, it was a very similar situation..the word was used by all different races..but the question is why? If they have absolutely no association with the African American situation, it makes even less sense...The point of the word empowering African Americans makes absolutely no sense coming from a Chinese American, or Latin American, or anything else. Then what would compel them to use that word? The answer is music...such a popular media as rap has such an enormous influence on youth of every background...and by using the word so freely...it is undermining the rights that the elder generation fought so hard to obtain.

 

[Kush]

Wow, one weekend of bhangra practice, and I've missed 3 pages worth of discussion...

Summy, I must say I'm really impressed by your developed discussion here. I do agree with a vast majority of your arguements. The bottom line is that Rap music and culture perpetuates a cycle that continues to hold back a broad spectrum of minorities (not JUST blacks anymore). The fact is that rap music is no longer just entertainment, but has transcended this narrow division to become the definition of a lifestyle. Yes, it is rooted out of real experience and real life. But when did freestyle competitions of lyrical ability transform into synonymity with gang-relation and drug dealing and "money, cash, hoes"? The reality is rap music places emphasis on superficial, and even degrading aspects of life, while at the same time supporting an illegal, impetuous, and abusive way of life that prevents any real advancement for minorities. Just today i read an interview with Young Jeezy (damn southern artists) regarding the video for his new single "Put On". The video follows a drug dealer (surprise surprise) who is attempting to maintain his lifestyle. The lyrics to the song speak of representation of your city. What is he saying here? To rep your city by dealing weight, making money, and blowing it every week? Here is a quote from Jeezy on the theme of the video:

"Every other Friday he gonna take $200 and get some new kicks, new pants, new fitted hat, and he's puttin' on. He fucked up, but it don't matter?No matter what's going on with them, they never let you see that. And I feel like that's what we going through right now. The government's got us fucked up, they got us down. You can't ever see us sweat though, [we] just put on."

No wonder hip-hop culture places such heavy emphasis on major shopping. Even this is excusable, IMHO, but to push for drug dealing as an outlet to make money? You have every kid wanting to grow up to rap, deal drugs, wield a gun, and be "hood". WHERE is the line drawn for entertainment versus REAL LIFE? This is where I'm afraid Rap music falls beyond distaste into straight poison, particularly for the young, easily-influenced minds of younger generations. How do people learn about the importance of good credit? Maintaining savings, investing for the future? Job security, or even how bad jail REALLY is! I know I am digressing here, but it frustrates me that people allow this material to infect their lives beyond JUST music! Now to say artists are directly responsible is a little bit much. Unfortunately, the music industry is just that. BUSINESS. you only do well if you sell sell sell. And like ANY OTHER facet of pop culture, this industry targets the consumer in people. In order to be successful, the industry has to play in to this vicious cycle. Now, here I must call out those artists that have been mentioned a countless number of times in this discussion (lupe, talib, common, etc.) who have maintained values to a great extent, and have even seen difficulty in careers because of it. The acceptance of rap music as life must be attacked first and foremost, in my opinion, prior to the attack of artists who promote it and industries that support it. At the end of the day, the artist will do what it takes to put bread on his $10,000 table in his $10,000,000 home, so it is reaching out and attacking the ignorance in the youth that must come first.

Now, onto what has become an entirely different subject, the use of the N-word. Summy and Jeeti, I am afraid i have to disagree with both of you on your feelings that both, the connotations of the word cannot ever be changed, and that usage of the word itself demonstrates racism in its exclusivity.

First, I believe that however small the population is that encompasses rap, they are attempting (some artists, i.e. Nas) to debunk the horrific history and meaning of the word. Here I have a link to some clips from a recent episode of "The Colbert Report" where Nas was a guest. He only addresses it for a moment, but still, wroth it to see Colbert.

http://www.prefixmag.com/media/nas/colbert-report-videos/20167/

My point is that if anyone is in the position to change the connotation, it is those involved in rap WHO PURSUE THE CHANGE IN THE WORDS MEANING. granted, the numbers within rap are few, but still significant. I just showed how influential rap is, so why is it wrong for some of those artists to use their influence to help create a common understanding and new definition of the word? Though I don't use it, wouldnt it be better for society to see a word that held such destructive and purely evil meanings become something completely new? To not only defy the old meaning, but to destroy AND REPLACE it? I believe that would be the greatest victory of all, when the word has changed hands, and the meaning has become the community once demeaned by it WANTS it to be. Just a different perspective and I would love to hear your thoughts. As for the exclusivity, it falls under the same arguement. I went to a Nas concert last year, and he OPENED his show by informing everyone in the audience that EVERY race and EVERY skin color was a "n*gga" to him. That he used the word as an equivalent to brethren. In addition, with his new CD, he attempts to break down the walls of exclusiveness for the word. The chorus to his song "Be a N*gga, Too" (released prior to the CD) has the words "To all my kike n*ggers, spic n*ggers, guinea n*ggers, chink n*ggers, That's right, y'all my n*ggas, too". This is a blatant example of how the rap community is NOT trying to create an exclusivity with the term, but trying to again change the meaning to something DIFFERENT, not necessarily greater. Nas takes the CORRECT perspective (if changing the word's meaning is the goal, definitely not when it comes to elimination of the word) when talking about how rapper Eminem was revealed as having used the word in the past: "Not mad 'cause Eminem said nigga, 'cause he my n*gga, wigga, cracker, friend - we all black within, okay?" All in all, I just wished to make the point that, in the instance that this word's meaning is changed, I DO NOT believe that its new usage will be a new demostration of racism through its use, but rather a bond between all people, or at the MINIMUM, minorities who have at some point felt oppression. Jeeti, you asked "..but the question is why? If they have absolutely no association with the African American situation, it makes even less sense...". I believe people use it because it is not (both in the rap community and how new generations have begun to use it) a "black" thing as much anymore. It is more of a minority word.


I know I wrote alot, just wanted to shed some light on different perspectives. I am not saying that CHANGING the meaning of the word is the BEST way to go and WILL for sure be most successful, but I can see some potential in its outcomes. It is another option. Thoughts?


...Now, if I could only put HALF as much effort as I do into my posts here into my medical school applications, I wouldn't be sitting on 5-6 and kciking myself nightly for not finishing any.

 

[Jeeti]

Now, onto what has become an entirely different subject, the use of the N-word. Summy and Jeeti, I am afraid i have to disagree with both of you on your feelings that both, the connotations of the word cannot ever be changed, and that usage of the word itself demonstrates racism in its exclusivity.

First, I believe that however small the population is that encompasses rap, they are attempting (some artists, i.e. Nas) to debunk the horrific history and meaning of the word. Here I have a link to some clips from a recent episode of "The Colbert Report" where Nas was a guest. He only addresses it for a moment, but still, wroth it to see Colbert.

http://www.prefixmag.com/media/nas/colbert-report-videos/20167/

My point is that if anyone is in the position to change the connotation, it is those involved in rap WHO PURSUE THE CHANGE IN THE WORDS MEANING. granted, the numbers within rap are few, but still significant. I just showed how influential rap is, so why is it wrong for some of those artists to use their influence to help create a common understanding and new definition of the word? Though I don't use it, wouldnt it be better for society to see a word that held such destructive and purely evil meanings become something completely new? To not only defy the old meaning, but to destroy AND REPLACE it? I believe that would be the greatest victory of all, when the word has changed hands, and the meaning has become the community once demeaned by it WANTS it to be. Just a different perspective and I would love to hear your thoughts. As for the exclusivity, it falls under the same arguement. I went to a Nas concert last year, and he OPENED his show by informing everyone in the audience that EVERY race and EVERY skin color was a "n*gga" to him. That he used the word as an equivalent to brethren. In addition, with his new CD, he attempts to break down the walls of exclusiveness for the word. The chorus to his song "Be a N*gga, Too" (released prior to the CD) has the words "To all my kike n*ggers, spic n*ggers, guinea n*ggers, chink n*ggers, That's right, y'all my n*ggas, too". This is a blatant example of how the rap community is NOT trying to create an exclusivity with the term, but trying to again change the meaning to something DIFFERENT, not necessarily greater. Nas takes the CORRECT perspective (if changing the word's meaning is the goal, definitely not when it comes to elimination of the word) when talking about how rapper Eminem was revealed as having used the word in the past: "Not mad 'cause Eminem said nigga, 'cause he my n*gga, wigga, cracker, friend - we all black within, okay?" All in all, I just wished to make the point that, in the instance that this word's meaning is changed, I DO NOT believe that its new usage will be a new demostration of racism through its use, but rather a bond between all people, or at the MINIMUM, minorities who have at some point felt oppression. Jeeti, you asked "..but the question is why? If they have absolutely no association with the African American situation, it makes even less sense...". I believe people use it because it is not (both in the rap community and how new generations have begun to use it) a "black" thing as much anymore. It is more of a minority word.

Ok what Nas is trying to do is basically what Nikhil was arguing previously...to somehow take the word and make it mean something different....my question is why....Nas's generations before him just like many other African Americans went through years of oppression and with that oppression came a word...there is no sense of changing the word's meaning when you can just eliminate it altogether? The word STILL IMPLIES a minority, as you said yourself...if we all want to be treated equally then we can't exclusively use vocab only restricted to blacks or minorities...whatever the case...in my opinion, thats the issue...in a country where we all strive every day to attempt to eliminate racism...we are using a word that purposely labels a group...WHICHEVER way you want to go about defining it...be it a minority word or not. Although it is admirable to consider the word a bond between minorities...the derivation and obscene history of the word still does not change...a point that I'm sure many elderly African Americans would agree with....

The present African American generation is not respecting the history of the word by using it so freely...if they cared about the civil rights movement and the sacrifices of it...THEY WOULD REMOVE the word completely...this is the only situation in any culture of oppressed people where a derogatory word of the past is somehow being re-incarnated as some bond between the people...its completely backward logic...if you want to take some sort of pride in the word by changing its meaning...why don't you approach a person who fought tirelessly for equal rights and tell them ...you are one of my fellow "n*&^^as....it shows a complete lack of respect for a history of struggle...part of being a strong, unified community is to understand your past generation's struggles..and to respect that....just eliminate it...theres no need for a transformation of the word....also...as you said Nas is one of the very few rappers attempting to change the connotiation of the word i can sit here and give u plenty of examples...where the n----a word is being used by other rappers to describe other people OF THEIR OWN RACE...with a negative connotation....as if the word is being used in substitution of "hater"....there are so many different connotations of the word (positive and negative)...why use it?

p.s. other races started using it because of the sudden spike in the popularity of hip hop in the 90s....doesn't matter how you start to sugar coat it now...the history of the word remains the same...we are all to blame (myself included) for supporting a genre of music that has so blatantly continued to use a terrible word, and then somehow justify it by trying to change its meaning.

 

[bale]

Summy,

Your foolishness and arrogance simply blinds you. It is so sad to see a person who can not see past himself and simply lashes out and insults others.

And yes, you do insult other,

""oh and Summy, I doubt you have ever even heard real hip hop and probably pass most commercial rap on the radio to judge your perception on hip hop"- Varun

ohhh dude, your so cool, you listen to the UNDERGROUND STUFF... ahhh man, yeah, your defintely in the minor few that understand rap eh? that really get it? yeahhh man, life is hard eh? all these other people that listen to rap, mannn they aint like you kid, they dont know what real rap is...

hahahahahaha"

If you do not see that as an insult, you are 100% misguided.

Moving on, Your lack of understanding of rap music is exactly identical to many ignorant americans lack of understanding of Islam. They see it spread throughout much of the media as a terrorist and "bad" movement. A religion that encourages severe violence and is a threat to the entire world. But in actuality, we know that this is not true. They are spreading the image of Islam that has been created by even more ignorant and delusional people. You are buying in to the image of rap that has spread across the media just as many ignorant americans do. Rap is truly an amazing art form that does have many roots in very impoverished areas. But rap that glorifies such things is not true rap music, this rap has been made to make money.

Thus, it is very understandable to say that commercial rap is horrendous and terrible, BUT rap, the art, is a beautiful movement that serves to represent an entire group of "unrepresented people."

I figure you will not respond to this because you refuse to admit wrongdoing, but please read and maybe this time, you will be slightly less impulsive.

 

[bale]

P.S.- SUMMY, as i read more of your posts, your true lack of research has become more and more apparent. Maybe you should read a book and educate yourself about this material before you begin to sputter things out.

Just as African-Americans have reclaimed that N word, the homosexual community is beginning to reclaim the word "queer." It is a word that was used against them, but now, they say, "yes, I am gay, I am queer," that word can no longer hurt me. So, as you can see, this process is NOTTTTTT a thing that does not occur with multiple groups.

 

[Jeeti]

...that is a good point, but I feel that the same argument previously mentioned for the n word can be used with the word " queer"....also... to compare the impact of the words queer and the n word...is a bit of a stretch...the n word has a very, very, very deep rooted history...not to say that the word queer doesn't have a history...I just don't think they are on par with each other...

Also, there are many gays I am sure that fought hard during the Gay Rights Movement, and WERE there when queer was being used as such a negative word that would still be offended if someone were to use it...also...Gays are not using the word "queer" in the media as if the word does not have any controversy tagged to it...Also...most of the african american community is still offended when people other then those outside their race use n----a...which is once again....a horrible idea if we are to abolish all racism..other African Americans are using the word to describe some of their fellow brethren with a negative connotation...I hope that argument made a bit of sense.

Are other gays offended when non gays call them queers? However ideal, Bale...your statement concerning I'm queer and proud...I have a tendency to think that if a non gay were to use the term queer to a gay men...some gay men would not be so accepting...and the simple solution in AVOIDING ANY KIND OF OFFENSE...is TO ELIMINATE THE WORDS...therefore unifying the community...is that too much too ask? or does every derogatory word have to become some sort of empowerment even though the community's elder generations were so offended by it? THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE FOUGHT SO HARD SO THAT THE NEXT GENERATION CAN BE BETTERED are now seeing a word they fought so hard against somehow being used by their own people? AND...not only that but BY USING THE WORD...people are listening, and people begin to use the word as if it's no big deal...look at this situation from the elder generation's eyes and maybe you will begin to see the absurdity of it... You are all defending why the word is in still in use , but not seeing the HUGE benefit of the words being removed altogether....

 

[bale]

Thanks for the respectful response Jeeti,

About your point that queer and the n word are not on the same level. I think that is sort of a naive thing to say. Sure, the n word has been used for a long time and is rooted in the history of African-Americans, BUT that doesn't mean that the word queer is not rooted in the history of homosexuals. I can pose this simple question, how many gay people have you met compared to African-American people? and by met them, i mean actually talked to them. Your answer to this will prove my point. African-Americans are a far more visible population in America than homosexuals, and this is why it may seem that the N word is on a diff level, although it is not.

Also, the reason why the N word is used in the media and queer is not is simply because as I said, the african-american populations is much more visible in the media than homosexuals. Think about it, when is a homosexual really presented in the media? and if one ever is, think about how often they are compared to african-americans.

Moving on to the reason why the minority groups use these words. Imagine, you are a person who was born and raised in a country that has severely abused you and your people physically and verbally. They have degraded your people and restricted their rights. In response, what are you to do? Do you lash out against the majority population in the same manner? Of course not, no one wants a full out war between african-americans and caucasians. Do you simply let it go and pretend that nothing ever happened and that discrimination doesn't exist? Of course not, you can't simply let such abuse go. You can't pretend that it doesn't exist. It is a real thing. BUT, what you can do, is nonviolently take that power that the majority had over you, take that power, in the form of a verbally abusive word, and make it powerless. Say that I have the power over this word, and you can not hurt me with it.

 

[Jeeti]

The higher prevalence of African Americans in society compared to Gays is the sole reason for my statement stating that they are not on the same level...Of course, they are more visible...that proves my point...the fact that THEY ARE MORE visible in media... they have a LARGER impact on society as a whole then the gay community...Rap Music is one of the most popular musical genres and is listened to by youth all over the world...AND THAT IS WHY I am stating that they are on a different scale...the fact that there are more African Americans and they are more visible is the reason why the use of the n word is on a LARGER scale. ...I hope you can understand that the conditions with which the two words are used are similar, the range of their influences are very different.

Bale the issue I have with changing the word's meaning does not lie in your JUSTIFICATION for doing so (nonviolently taking that power)...you are on solid ground, but I still consider the logic a bit backward(see previous arguments for why)....alll the power to anyone that can somehow change the feelings that are evoked when the word is used...especially the elder generation (if you think you can somehow change their feelings towards the word, go for it)...my problem is the WAY IT IS BEING USED. I have stated previously that Nas is one of the only rappers I have EVER EVER heard of that uses the word n---a to be applied across races. He is a fool to think that the majority of the African American community will jump on his bandwagon. Most of his fellow colleagues are still using the word in very negative connotations and ensuring that the word is only reserved for African Americans. By reserving the word for African Americans, you are creating an unnecessary divide that many have worked so hard to overcome...the word n---ga implies RACE...and this can't be accepted in a world where we are attempting to follow in the footsteps of MLK and not judge a person by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I agree with your points...they are legitimate points, but they are way too ideal, my friend...there are few African Americans comfortable with people of other colors calling them n---gas...and therein lies the problem and why the word should be eliminated from rap artists that continue to use it. It seems to follow that if ANYONE in the African American community is offended by the word, it shouldn't be used as stated earlier. Above all that is the point that there are African Americans being offended by the word, yet their own brethren continue to use it and once assaulted for its use, seem to sugar coat it with a well thought out justification (it no longer hurts us). Do you understand a bit of what I am trying to get across Bale? The idea to remove the word is two fold...

1. As stated before, the continued use of the word does not help with abolishing racism as it implies race rather blatantly...(African American implies AN ANCESTRY..just like Indian American, and does not imply black, white.)

2. If even a remote number of African Americans are offended by the word...then their own brethren need to be conscious of that and remove the word.

Do you feel as if you are losing something by eliminating the word? In my opinion, you aren't losing anything at all...By removing the word, you are not destroying the rich history of the fight that got them where they are today. Instead, you are taking a step forward towards the abolishment of racism altogether. Racism can't be fought nonviolently by any other means then to take a word thats offensive to the elder generation and gain power from it? No, my friends power is what they achieved in the civil rights movement by talking of the pride to be an African American in this country...they weren't wasting their time trying to change the meaning of a word which such hatred and race implications attached to it to gain power. Although I understand your argument, I can't support it..when removing the word would be such a step forward for equality.

 

[akhmastani]

Silly Summy, rap is for kids.

 

[Arjunarjun]

The word should not ever be used. A lot of rappers talk about racism, unequality and unfairness. Using the word just shows disrespect for their ancestors who risked their lives to abolish that word. One of the most controversial and disgusting words in history should not be said..especially for the sake of a rap song. Rap music is heavily influencing our youth (including non-African Americans) and the use of that word in a song makes the listener believe it is OK to say that word. We've all been guilty of saying it and singing it alongside rappers like Tupac and Dre, but altogether, for the respect of the black struggle and racism, it should just be out of our vocabulary.

To go on and say N*gger and N*gga is different is just ridiculous. The Hip Hop summit and other prominent people like Russell Simmons have tried to stop the use of the word n*gger as well as b*tch and ho.

Also, just because your "black" doesn't mean you have the choice to say that word. Does not mean you aren't offending others out there. A black person saying n*gger and white person saying n*gger may offend anyone equally.

Aside from that, rap music is of course a bad message for the youth. But it's not only rap music....rock, pop and even bhangra music talks about all the same stuff.
If your gonna criticize rap music..it's not fair to let the other genres go. Marilyn Manson, Nirvana and Nine Inch Nails are all rock figures who have talked about drugs, alcohol, suicide etc. Even pop music glorifies sex and money etc. Music in general is such bull now because the music that talks about this stuff is what people listen to, and what sells.
On the other hand, there are alot of positive musicians out there like immortal technique, india arie and wyclef jean.