Violence in Language: Is Rap Music Causing Violence in America?

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108 Dr. Amal Saleeby Malek debate about whether ideas about killing police officers should be expressed publicly (Sieving, 1998). Violence seems to dominate much of our daily conversations. We often express ourselves by cursing or insulting people around us. Verbal violence occurs as a “normal” way of talking. Similarly, the lyrics of some rap songs use foul language, such as the F… word, a “bonafide” word in the English language. (Appendix 2) Moreover, the explicit lyrics in some rap songs highlight drugs, sex, misogyny, promiscuity, racism, and crime. “Have you ever been hated or discriminated against? I have; I’ve been protested and demonstrated against”, says Eminem in his “Cleanin Out the Closet” album (Appendix 3). It would seem that violent behavior is part of the process of searching for one’s individual or collective identity (UNESCO, Language as violence). Could this be what rappers do? However, some rap artists adopt friendlier beats and milder lyrics. Most rappers claim that they are illustrating the real inner-city life although they may not necessarily endorse it, much like an actor adopting a role in a movie. This form of music is stereotypical of African-Americans and aims to entertain. Many rap themes deal with street life including pimping, and hustling as well as killing and shooting. Some musicians refer to their gang or pistol and one can hear rough beats along with actual gunshots in the songs. RunDMC, a rap group dresses in gang-like street clothing, displays abrasive attitudes and uses foul language to send across their message. Schooly D, Ice Cube and Nas are other rappers who adopt the same style. They have popularized “hard-hitting, aggressive, often socio-political lyrics, sometimes revolving around street violence, poverty, and gunplay” (Gangsta rap). There are many references to guns and pimping in these songs. Boogie Down Productions released CDs describing “shooting rival weed dealers after they try to kill [someone] in his home” (Gangsta rap). An album entitled Criminal Minded was released in 1987. After the release of the album, the DJ, “Scott LaRock was shot and killed” (Gangsta rap). In 1986, N.W.A., a rap group, released their first album, which introduced more violent lyrics and rougher musical beats. The first major controversy was sparked regarding hip-hop lyrics in their song, “F—- Tha Police”. The FBI sent a letter strongly condemning the song. Other West Coast rappers began to use crime-related themes in their lyrics (Gangsta rap). The controversy and the “hype” over the rap lyrics attracted a lot of media attention. Ice T’s releases in 1993 contained political material, “Bomb-Squad style beats” and he even went on to publish a book: The Ice Opinion: Who Gives a F—-?” (Gangsta rap). Dr. Dre and Tupac Shakur very successful and influential West coast hip hop artists created Death Row Records, and East coast rap-
Violence - Realities and Concerns pers, released Bad Boys Records, featuring a song entitled “Ready to Die” in 1994. It is widely suggested that the battle between the two companies resulted in the deaths of Tupac Shakur, of Death Row, in 1996, and the Notorious B.I.G. of Bad Boy’s in 1997. Meanwhile Southern and Midwestern gangsta rap continued to flourish with Scarface, a famous rapper, and in New Orleans, Master P’s added a new release. “The Ghetto is trying to kill me” in 1994 (Gangsta rap). II- Is rap music more violent than other genres: Western movies? Rap is not the only rebellious music that has been blamed for society’s ills. Musical genres (reggae and others) have often been blamed for socially inappropriate behavior. However, violent and sexually explicit gangsta rap has raised significant concern (Kirshheimer, 2003). Is it because it criticizes social injustice and puts the blame on a deficient system? Movies are one way we entertain ourselves. Western movies are engrained in the American public’s mind. They are part of the American culture. Western “cowboys” and “Indians” movies are all about “saloons, shotguns, and showdowns” (Carter, 2002). But, the American public associates “The Myth of the West” to American pride, and sees the violence in those movies as a sign of valor. Actors such as Clint Eastwood, John Ford and Gary Cooper, are famous for shooting Indians and no one would think of condemning them for their violent scenes; and, John Wayne always won, in taking land from the Indians. Cowboy movies are not censored nor criticized; they are accepted as part of the American values, and are deeply respected and appreciated. In Western movies, the public cheers with the hero’s violent response to various situations (Carter, 2002). Nowadays, movies are more and more violent, from Pulp Fiction to Blood Diamond, not forgetting the Last King of Scotland, just to name a few; however, there does not seem to be any agitation or mental anguish about those movies. So, “…what makes the violence in gangsta rap music more violent than the bloodshed Americans applaud in Westerns”? (Carter, 2002). One may wonder, is it because the rappers are mostly African-American in a white mainstream America? Or, is it because music is more pervasive than a movie? (It may be more difficult to control what people listen to; youngsters, for instance, can listen to any kind of music, without parental supervision, whereas movies, which are usually rated, need parental guidance). Is it the inability to relate to “the feelings of these angry, black cowboys trying to survive in the modern Wild Wild West”? Is it because white America cannot identify with the black” socio-economic conditions”, and “the harsh living conditions of these rappers?” (Carter, 2002). 109
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