 Ban or censor words in rap and hip hop?
from Cali Casino
May 08, 2007
Ban or censor words in rap and hip-hop music? Q. Since radio shock jock Don Imus was fired for calling the Rutger's women's basketball team a derogatory name, and after years of using foul language on his radio show, critics have now focused on the music industry and the lyrics in the music of some hip-hop and rap artists. One music mogul, Russell Simmons, recently called on radio stations to ban some derogatory words. Others said that's unfair censorship. What do you think? Should certain words be banned from songs? What do you think about rap music and hip hop? Have the artists gone too far? What about the music companies that market the music? Do they play a role? Is any of the music meaningful to you? Lindy Galloway, 19, UNC Greensboro: In terms of music being a form of art, what the artist puts in the song makes it his or her own. This is not to say that derogatory words need to be used though. Plenty of great non-offensive music exists. If we did not know the songs with those offensive words to begin with we would not be missing out on anything, but I think individuals exist that feel those words are vital to some types of music; this is what some parts of society want. Maybe they should look to the thesaurus for better word choices. Emily Goad, 14, Smith Academy of International Languages, Charlotte: Most Rap and Hip-Hop artist frequently use foul language, but its not just those genres. I have heard these so called "bad words" from Country, Rock, Metal, etc. But the more these "bad words" pop up in these songs the more young kids will repeat them. Kids these days go around school using it as if it was another word. I don't think these artists know that their music puts such an impact on kids these days. Kids look up to them as hero's, and try there best to be just like them. But the music companies are also at fault here, they help create the music so they are not innocent. In my opinion if they stopped using these "bad words" so frequently the kids would stop using them as well. Drew Gaertner, 14, Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School, Charlotte: If rap music were meaningful to me I would be a much different person. I personlly despise rap and hip hop music. most of it is dimeaning and innappropriate. AS some critics say, banning some words is unfair censorship. I believe the words shouldn't be in the songs in the first place. Artist's songs can be demeaning in so many ways. Several words should be banned. The music industry is being hurt by such inappropriate music. Audrey Bissiere-Grote, 14, Smith Academy of International Languages, Charlotte: Don Imus was fired for saying some inappropriate things, but yet rappers are making millions by saying the same things but only worse! The media needs to decide what is suitable to be aired, but they can be nudged in a certain direction by social pressures. How the government banned smoking advertisements and how we now don't approve of smoking could be used as a way to keep such songs with vulgarity from being so popular. People would still be able to buy CDs, but it would be something that we all look down on. Angelica Kielczewska, 13, Smith Academy of International Languages, Charlotte: I think that certain words should be banned from songs. Some of the words in songs can be very hurtful to some. Also music companies do take a role in the music. They should know where to draw a line to keep music from going to far. I admit I do listen to songs that have derogatory words in them. But although the songs have these words in them it doesn't mean that they are bad. Some artists use these words to put more meaning into the songs, but some use then as an insult. Quinn Patrick Foster, 18, Sun Valley High School, Monroe: I believe that no lyrics should be off limits to those in the music industry. The words that certain artists incorporate into their songs, for the most part, have a specific meaning or representation. Audiences have the option of whether to listen to music that uses
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