Rap Music: Linked to alcohol and drug use??

In my last post a few days ago, I had explored if the production of rap music in today’s youth really matters and does it really affect the way teens are living out their futures.  These inquiries lead me to think of another really important question: Does rap music enhance the use of alcohol and drugs in teen’s lives? I took a closer look and examined some sources that may lead to the answer.

                After reading this particular source by NPR, I had found another article which was announced over NPR News in May of 2006. A study by the Prevention Research Center of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, shows that a good amount of teens that listen to rap music have an increased chance to abuse alcohol and drugs in their lifetime. Other songs such as "Pass the Courvoisier" by rap artist Busta Rhymes, are suggesting and taunting kids in today’s society that abusing alcohol and drugs is “cool”.  According to Mr. David Jernigan (Executive Director, Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth, Georgetown University) “Young people who start drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become alcohol dependent than those who wait until they're 21; seven times more likely to be in an alcohol rated motor vehicle; 11 times more likely to suffer from violence, to be involved in a fight after drinking.”

                After finding and reading another particular source provided by The New York Times, I came across an article written by Tara Parker-Pope in February of 2008, titled “Under the Influence of…Music?” Pope takes the time to explain the relationship between rap music and alcohol abuse.  According to the Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, that only about 9 percent of hip-hop had contained references to drug and alcohol use, about 14 percent in rock songs, about 20 percent in R&B songs, 36 percent in today’s country songs, and last but not least, a whopping 77 percent of rap music lyrics contain references to drug and alcohol abuse.

                Overall, I think that both of these articles had many similarities under the topic of the influence of rap music in today’s society. I do believe that they do make some clear points but also question some as well. For instance: Does rap music only affect those belonging to the African American culture? Or is it affecting everybody that listens to it? These are the questions that still keep me pondering around the single, universal thought: Is rap music THAT bad??