Where are the Role Models?

   There are many rappers in the Hip-hop industry. Whether they play a good influence on teens or not, they certainly cause an effect in their way of think and their lives. Among all rappers, there are and have been some role models in the lives of many teenagers around the world. Unfortunately, it's becoming more difficult to find rappers like those now a days. However, they are still alive keeping the positive portrait of  Hip-hop. In modern society there have been series of charges and other incidents occurring involving rappers. Those actions influence teens into unconstructive activities such as consumption of drugs and violence. These influences can be changed if they are taken with serious matters now.


"ti." VentureBeat. Web. 31 Mar 2011. 

< http://venturebeat.com/2009/07/30/heatwave-interactive-unveiling-hip-hop-online-role-playing-game-with-ti/>.

   

Hip Hop Is Now: An Evolving Youth Culture

 "Throughout urban America, Hip Hop has become the standard that many young people live by. It is reflected in their manner of speaking, the way they dress, the types of music they listen to, and the cars they drive-flamboyant, aggressive, frequently rude and inconsiderate, and, as the young woman in the focus group said, "In your face."

Summary/Analyze- Hip Hop is Now:An Evolving Youth Culture

  
    The world wide form of youth expression,Hip-hop, has gone through change these last twenty years. It has become a lifestyle. For instance, Hip-hop's influence can be noticed in fashion, electronic design, auto design, movies, music, literary works, and other multiple mediums in modern society. The idea of adults being "punks," just interprets that the adult culture is hypocritical, because older adults did the same things that young do now. However, they were afraid to admit their actions. Hip-hop is various collections of values and ideas that are often stimulated by new truths as well as misinformation, lies, and other factors. Throughout urban America, it has become a lifestyle that is perpetrated through the actions of teens. Perhaps most of Hip-hop's disturbing features are the violent and personal damage transmitted through songs,music videos, and other types of media. It was also discovered that teens' motivation to being disrespectful and violent are the examples they have seen throughout their lives. The tremendous amounts of negative influences are also part of the problem. Many teens throughout America are committing crimes such as prostitution because they believe it's reasonable.  Hip-hop culture does not accept the truth of claims that are undeniable; As a result, most teens few things from a perspective that the adult culture refuses to see. Furthermore, the use of profanity and vulgarity in Hip-hop presents the disdain of what is established as norms and rejections by the adult culture. This influences the youth as well as the drug use and dealing.Hip-hop has managed to break through a society with sophisticated filters creating negative influences. Teens have seemed to lose hope since Hip-hop seems to be the only speaker who tells and expresses the ugly truths of our society.

Analyze:

The authors used research in the article in order to get their statement across and their argument more solid. Another technique they used was testimonial in order to present statements that would help support the case. The authors were trying to clarify how hip-hop affects modern youth, and also clarify some of the question that some people may have been pondering about. 

  Taylor, Carl, and Virgil Taylor. "Hip Hop is Now: An Evolving Youth Culture." Reclaiming Children and Youth: The Journal of Strength-based Interventions1Dec. 2007. 210-213. EBSCOhost. Web. 29 Mar 2011. 
<http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=2d5e3c1a-e34e-4e68-9bfa-07c77aa0f275%40sessionmgr4&vid=5&hid=10>.

                                                   

Listen to the facts!

   Even though this chart was created in 2005, it provides a visual of the preferences of teens towards music. According to the article, these statistics have not changed dramatically . Hip-hop contained a dominant 65% out of all other music genres. As shown, teens felt a strong  attraction to Hip-hop, and its influence could have been the reason why. This goes to show, just how much Hip-hop takes or makes part of teenagers' lives. 


"Music Genres." Jonathan's Blog From the Source. Web. 29 Mar 2011. <http://blog.thesource4ym.com/images/blog_thesource4ym_com/hip-hop-chart.jpg>.

Why Hip-Hop Is like No Other

 "No youth trend is more visible around the world today than hip-hop."

Summary:

 

Even though it has become mainstream in many parts of the world, Hip-hop is still considered a voice of fraught, and a vexation to those in power. No teen-aged trend could compare to the wide-spread of Hip-hop. Just like Pop music, rap music is a continuation of the global journey full of percussive beats and social messages. However, global conglomeration is a part of the uniqueness of Hip-hop and its growing presence. Along with its world wide-spread, its most interesting element is the ability to source or express the feelings of teens. Hip-hop has become the voice of those teens who find themselves at their limit. Although Hip-hop is a "black" musical form, other ethnicities and nationalities surround its circle. Hip-hop is the voice of the streets and the connection to the powerless.

Analyze:

S. Craig Watkins use big names, such as Eliefi and Minister Kim Howells, to promote how the world feels about the uprising Hip-hop culture. He also provides research in order to get his argument across. Watkins wanted to depict why Hip-hop is like no other by providing reasons for its global influence.

Watkin, S. Craig. "Why Hip-Hop is like no other."Foreign Policy 163 1 Nov. 2007. 63. EBSCOhost. Web. 28 Mar 2011.<http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=2d5e3c1a-e34e-4e68-9bfa-07c77aa0f275%40sessionmgr4&vid=7&hid=10>.

Without Hip-hop



       Without Hip-hop our society would be somewhat different. Without it there would not be much of Break dancing, rap songs, rappers, or graffiti. If these assets were gone, some teenagers would not have been able to find their hidden talent. Hip-hop would be one less place where teens could find hope or their internal connections; It would be one less way to express conflicts, thoughts, or feelings. If Hip-hop was not around, its influence would parish into oblivion.

"Hip-Hop is dead." Examiner. Web. 31 Mar 2011.<http://www.examiner.com/dc-in-washington-dc/hip-hop-meets-its-ultimate-fate-hip-hop-surrenders-to-capitalism-dollar-dollar-bill-ya-ll>.

Hip Hop and Oral History: Turning Students into "Griots for a New Age"

 "Our best hip hop artists show us how to do this; if we give our students the tools, support and the opportunity, we many not only improve engagement and academic performance, we will transform schools into true centers of community life." 

Summary/Analyze

      Hip-hop music has a relationship with Oral history. Since new technology has put oral history and storytelling at risk of loosing its significance, educators have figured that hip-hop could be it's only salvation to perpetuate it. Through it, older students have gained the following: inspiration,interest in their oral history, and the desire to imitate hip hop artists who use oral history in their music. Jay-z's,"December 4," and "Fort Minor," by Kenji are songs that express oral history. Youngsters living in those types of circumstances described in various songs, would feel inspired in the words and feelings of the artist. Allowing students to become involved with a work of art such as hip hop will stimulate interest in their historical backgrounds, thus increasing academic performance. In addition, it would also make schools into a better community life, and the students turn out to be "griots of a new age."

    Mark Naison utilized the following persuasive and propaganda techniques:big names, research, and card stacking. His purpose was to demonstrate to people how hip-hop can aid not only a student's oral history but their academic performance, and the school itself. He aspired people to understand just how much hip-hop takes part in to lives of the youth and promote the idea of students becoming "griots of a new age."

Naison, Mark. "Hip Hop and Oral History:Turning Students into "Griots for a New Age."." OAH Magazine of History 22.3 1 July 2008. 46-48.EBSCOhost. Web. 23 Mar 2011.<http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=2d5e3c1a-e34e-4e68-9bfa-07c77aa0f275%40sessionmgr4&vid=9&hid=10>. 

  

   

Let's face it.

    Hip-hop generates negativity into the lives of people, but teenagers in particular. These days it has brought disapproving content. Unfortunately, it has also reached the ears of young teens; in fact, it has hurt and effected the minds of teens in a way that has caused the influence the use of curse words. Violence has also been evoked in the following: lyrics in songs, music videos, and the artists. It's induced pain may not affect teens physically, but it may hurt them mentally.


 "Don't blame yourself...Blame Hip-Hop." Wikipedia. Web. 28 Mar 2011. 
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Don't_Blame_Yourself...Blame_Hip-Hop.jpg>.

Positive Effects of Hip-hop

 "Many people object to what they believe is the promotion of violence and misogyny in hip hop; however, that is only a small part of hip hop, and there are many positive effects hip hop provides to its listeners."
 When it comes to Hip-hop, people assume that it creates violence and hatred, but that's not the only thing it brings. Hip-hop has also brought positive effects to those who listen to it.

Summary/Analyze:Postive Effects of Hip Hop Music

  Since the 1970s Hip-hop music has changed and evolved, and through the years it has faced many controversies. Many people believe that Hip-hop generates nothing but violence and hatred. Fortunately, that is only a portion of it; there are many positive outcomes that hip-hop provides. Among many of its positivity, critical thinking is one. Hip-hop music that use violent lyrics or scenes in music videos promotes listeners to think about how they feel is right or wrong about these types of songs and why they occur. Hip-hop also brings political awareness about certain issues such as racial inequality, gender inequality, education, family and more. Artists like Lupe Fiasco, Common, and others produce these types of messages through their music. Hip-hop artists also become role models to youth by showing them they may be from privileged backgrounds; however, they can still achieve their goals. Folk music is something that Hip-hop does as well. It calls attention to injustice while celebrating ordinary life at the same time. Hip-hops history is a form of art that has changed through out the years; it is also a form that evokes a sense of history of our communities. Today's use can use it to compare how society has changed.

  This article used Card Stacking as a propaganda technique: The author wanted to include only the positivity of Hip-hop. This article provided information about the positive effects Hip-hop has brought. It is trying to make people aware that Hip-hop does not just bring negative effects on the youth, but it also creates some positivity. It may have influenced violence and hatred, but it makes people think and just understand how that artist may feel towards the subject. Besides that, it also updates the society of what issues need to be fixed or solved. Hip-hop doesn't just contribute to our society it also makes part of our history. The author projects that he believes that people shouldn't assume negative things about Hip-hop: He wants them to acknowledge its positivity.

  Hall, Frances. "Positive Effects of Hip Hop Music."Demand Media, Inc: n. pag. eHow. Web. 20 Mar 2011.<http://www.ehow.co.uk/about_5377328_positive-effects-hip-hop-music.html>.

  

 Hip-hop may influence teenagers in negative ways; however, it has also inspired the lives of many teens. Through the words,beat, and rhythm of its music, Hip-hop has managed to stay alive in the minds and hearts  of teens and people around the world. While some people may think Hip-hop is no longer alive, others think that it still lives in their heads and most importantly in their hearts.


"Hip-hop love." Hip-hop love. Web. 20 Mar 2011.<http://media.photobucket.com/image/hip%20hop/yoyonvegas/cooltext409942766ha7.jpg?o=87>.

Negative Effects on Today's Youth

 "While many hip-hop songs contain messages about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, few provide an accurate portrayal of the negative consequences of substance abuse." 
   Hip-hop has brought numerous amounts of negativity through the content of songs that led and have led to various amounts of consequences. Those messages stated or envisioned in the songs do not provide the appropriate image instead they provide the opposite.

Summary/Analyze-Hip hop:Negative Effects on Today's Youth

   
   This article provided by BookRags Student Essays contained information about the origin of Hip-hop and how it has evolved into what it has become today. With its up-rising popularity it has 
brought many influences upon our society. Unfortunately, it has 
created some negative images in the content of the songs created 
and many problems are also rising as a result. This article also 
provides some of the possible solutions to improve it. 

                                                           

  Many people believe that Hip-hop portrays the wrong images into their minds;sadly, they are correct.Hip-hop has brought and  
influenced the rise of violence even though it's not the only cause. Through this article it can clearly be seen that the author used persuasive techniques such as Kairos in order to make people 
understand that this issue must be solved immediately. In addition, 
the author included big names and research in order to convince his audience that his point of view is correct. This also shows that people may only be interested in the negativity Hip-hop has created. However, there have been some positivity induced into our society, but some may fail to recognize it. 




 "Hip-hop: Negative Effects on Today's Youth."BookRags, Inc.: n. pag. BookRags. Web. 17 Mar 2011.<http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2005/9/21/202351/048#bro_copy>. 

Don't judge Hip-hop by its mistakes

  Many citizens, especially in our society, misjudge Hip-hop as a negative influence; however, this is not true. Hip-hop may cause negative effects on our society but it also generates positivity in the lives of many people,mostly our youth; therefore, our society does not know or acknowledge what Hip-hop is. To be able to understand  it people must first understand how it came to be. This is why people should reconsider the impact Hip-hop has brought on to our society.

"u don't know HIP-HOP." Latino Influence in Hip-Hop. Web. 17 Mar. 2011.<http://www.umich.edu/~ac213/student_projects06/tylaxe/>.

The ethnics and influence of Hip-hop

Link #1:

Mulvey, Sarah. "Bristol Community College hosts History of Hip-Hop Extravaganza." Herald News 10 March 2011. n. pag. The Herald News. Web. 28 Mar 2011. <http://www.heraldnews.com/observerlife/x698040170/Bristol-Community-College-hosts-History-of-Hip-Hop-Extravaganza>.

  
   The author of this article is Sarah Mulvey. This article gives information about an enthusiastic group of students who attend Bristol Community College. This group of students were inspired by their love for music to take part in an event in BCC History of Hip-Hop show, which always played a part to these students. This shows how Hip-hop has reached the hearts and minds of young people. It also shows how Hip-hop has affected fashion, art, and music itself.

Link #2:

Emery, Liz. "COLUMN: Rap music more than meets the ear." College Media Network 16 Mar. 2011. n. pag. The Utah Statesman. Web. 4 Apr 2011. <http://www.usustatesman.com/column-rap-music-more-than-meets-the-ear-1.2514770>
  
   Liz Emery, a junior majoring in English with an emphasis in creative writing,provided  information or reasons why rap music has been criticized by many people. This article had some bias;in fact, it was obvious that the author was trying to convince people that rap music isn't about love. She provided facts that helped her prove her point. In conclusion, her purpose was for people to give rappers some slack and be more comprehensive of the rap culture.

Link #3:

Palmer, Jack. "Hip hop playing role in global political dissent." Defiance Publishing 1 Apr. 2011. n. pag. The Cresent-News. Web. 6 Apr 2011. <http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/5009447>.    

This article by Jack Palmer, provided information on a presentation on Hip-hop culture and how it has now taken a playing role in global political dissent. It the article was a review of the statements or speech that was said by Amer Ahmed, associate director in the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs at the University of Michigan. There he stated how Hip-hop has played a role in our society today. Amer also stated the slight difference between Hip-hop and Rap. He goes on to say how it has emerged from the pasts years starting from the Civil rights era, and sets a comparison between Hip-hop and other cultures that  are also around our society today.

Link #4:

Whitfield, Rani G. "Lyrically Speaking: Beats & Rhymes beyond the Stigmas." Johnson Publishing63.8 June 1,2008. n. pag. EBSCOhost. Web. 6 Apr 2011. <http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=7a31ecbb-7592-4dde-aabe-3b666f60c759%40sessionmgr114&vid=5&hid=127>.


In this article Rani G. Whitfield explained how Hip-hop has impacted our society. He explains its purpose to speak louder for our ever changing society, the healing of nations, and the gathering of race relations. The article also contained information about the rise of Hip-hop and what it is and what is not. Rani also tells how it has affected young men around the world. Hip-hop can be used as a powerful tool for serious issues, justice, peace, and health awareness as stated in this article.

Wordle #1

 "Hip hop"

This article provided information about the ethnic of Hip-hop and how it came to be. It also gave some insight of the how it plays a part in our society and the world; in fact, it provides information about the influence Hip-hop brings to areas such as graffiti, and break dancing. This also explains the components or elements that define Hip-hop.


"Hip hop." Mashpedia n. pag. Mashpedia. Web. 15 March 2011. <http://mashpedia.com/Hip_hop>.

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The knowledge I want to gain

     The following sub-questions will lead me to the knowledge I would like to gain:

• Which are the negative and positive influences that Hip-hop generates into the lives of teens?
• How does Hip-hop's influence play a part on teens' personal and educational lives?
• Should citizens or listeners reconsider the impact of Hip-hop?
• Why has Hip-hop had such a great impact on teenagers?
• What if Hip-hop never existed? How would the influence on teens change?

   I have some knowledge about my topic, but I want to learn more and get in-depth. My purpose for this topic is to learn just how Hip-hop has had such impact on many teens such as myself. I want to learn and research actual facts besides having my opinion on what Hip-hop is to me and what it has brought into modern society and youth culture. This is why I want to learn the answers to the question I had pondered upon for sometime; therefore, these are the questions to the answers I hope to find.

What do I know?

     Hip-hop has had many effects on people; in fact, it has brought many positive and negative things into our society. It has indeed changed over the years bringing a variety of opinions of what part it has played in our lives. Some people believe that Hip-hop only helped African-Americans, but others believe that it is used to help all races. Hip-Hop has played a significant role on teens. In some situations it has kept and given many teens inspiration and the desire to progress. Although Hip-hop has brought positivity, it has also brought some negativity that can not be overlooked. For instance, a negativity that has crossed the minds of some people is that Hip-hop has influenced violence on teenagers through the content of the rappers words. Hip-hop has brought negative influences on teens as have gone by, but there have also been encouraging and progressive outcomes as well; therefore, it has also stood as a paragon in the eyes of some teenagers.

Why Hip-Hop?

As a child, I grew up listening to all kinds of music. Living in a home where my family experienced rough situations, music was my only way out to free myself and just forget about the struggles for a minute. I remember how Hip-hop use to lift up my spirits from the beat through the words of the rapper. In my mind there was never a day when I didn’t have Tupac or Biggy Smalls playing loudly, blasting through my house. I mimicked every word until I knew each one without even thinking. There was something that made me understand the meaning behind words. Through Hip-Hop I felt like I could relate and feel like I wasn’t the only facing difficult times;furthermore, it helped me to the extent where it became my inspiration to move forward and to make a point in life. However, the Hip-Hop industry has changed over the years. Profane language,I think,is the only way rappers can express how they feel in a veracious way these days. I also believe that sometimes this is needed to get things off your mind and chest, but what could this do to the teens who listen to Hip-Hop trying to find that connection I once felt? It has come to my attention that Hip-Hop has changed and I feel that it could affect our youth in some way.