Rap Controversy

Rap. The word itself brings images of guns, street gangs, vulgarity, and drugs to a persons mind. People challenge it's place in our culture because "it isn't even singing, it's just talking in rhymes with an annoying beat behind it. It takes no skill and is creating a bad influence on our children". What most fail to realize is that rap music is a freedom of expression. It's lyrical content flows like poetry and often tells a story. It gives people the chance to see life through the eyes of someone else.

I've been a die hard fan of rap since I was first introduced to it in 2007. Since then I have been writing, recording, and occasionally preforming original songs such as "Suburban Behaviors", "Strait Up Shameless", and my most recent "Family Affair" which is a collaboration between me and my cousin. Since the beginning of my rap career, Eminem has been my idol and mentor. As one of the most controversial artists in the music industry he's been through a lot of turmoil. His childhood was plagued with bullies, racism, and brain damage from drug use.

The reason for such controversy is quite simply because he is white. Black rappers have been saying the vulgar things that he raps about since the early 1980's. The fact that he is a white man singing about spousal abuse and making drug references is hitting home for suburban parents and our government officials. "Damn, how much damage can I do with a pen?" he quotes in his song "Who Knew" from his 2000 album "The Marshall Mathers LP". There is a Parental Advisory Sticker on the cover of every one of his albums. If your a parent, be a parent and don't let young children listen to inappropriate songs. It's as simple as that.

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