Lyrics: Deeper Meanings?

When it comes to the rap music industry, many rap stars and big time producers do not think of the consequences of their actions after writing a or producing a rap song.  When I listen to a favorite song by one of my favorite artists (Eminem, Lil Wayne, Tupac, Biggie, Etc.), I do come across some questionable lyrics that I just have no idea what they are talking about or how very influential they can be. As a fellow rap/hip hop listener, I do enjoy this type of music to an extent. Even though I am a fan of this type of music and yet not very influenced personally by it but that does not stop millions of teen’s globally from thinking differently about it. I started to think about the actual lyrics themselves in many songs that are potentially putting kids at a high risk of alcohol and drug abuse.

                For example, take rap star Waka Flocka featuring a song with B.o.B. The song titled: “Fist Pump” clearly states irresponsible drinking habits with the lyrics:

You know where we at now (at now)

Drinking bottles till we pass out (pass out)

I don’t even know how to act now (act now)

Now put your fist in the air, fist, fist in the air

Now fist pump, fist pump, fist pump, fist pump

Now fist pump, fist pump, fist pump, fist pump

Now fist pump, fist pump, fist pump, fist pump

Now fist pump, now fist pump, fist pump

Now fist pump, now fist pump  

These lyrics, also part of the songs chorus, clearly influences dangerous drinking habits, after the chorus, these lyrics appear and rapped by rap star B.o.B:

We fucking up the club when we fist pump

Whole party looking at us crazy cause we this drunk

My body showing symptoms of liquor in my system

Her booty working hard like it’s trying to earn the pension

Now listen, I’m shit faced, I’m trashed.

This particular song has many other drug and alcohol related references in them. When teen’s here this, they automatically think that it is cool to drink until they are “trashed”  and leads them to thinking getting trashed leads to getting girls relating to the lyrics “Her booty working hard like it’s trying to earn the pension”. These types of lyrics are the kind that leads kids and even young adults into drinking heavily and abusing alcohol in a very dangerous, almost deadly way.  Let’s take a look at another song but except that this one is referring to marijuana use. This song written and performed by rap star Dr.Dre, titled “Kush” is a song heavily referring to a type of marijuana called “Kush” on the streets. The lyrics are as shown:

No, it ain't no seeds in my sack, you ain't never gottta ask, dawg

What he smokin' on? Shit, kush 'til my mind gone

What you think I'm on? Eyes low, I'm blown

High as a motherfucker, there ain't no question 'bout it.

As you can see, these lyrics are full of drug related references.  As teens and young adults are exposed to these types of lyrics in not only this song, but thousands of songs that refer to drug and alcohol abuse. This leads teen’s to believe that the use of weed can set their mind free and is easy to get referred to by the lyrics “No, it ain't no seeds in my sack, you ain't never gottta ask, dawg”.  This also encourages teens to smoke and abuse drugs as they listen to songs just like this.  These along with many other songs can influence many of today’s youth to abuse drugs and alcohol and potentially lead them to violence in and in some cases even lead to death.