Hip-Hop and Crime

Question #5 in the discussion guide I find quite interesting. It shows the relationship music has with its community.

As for the specific instance I think I'll bluntly put as no, hip hop is not influencing the rate of crime/poverty in the underclass of society (generally urban African American). As a disclaimer, I think, yes, there is certainly influence but not in a way that media has attached may portray it as. There are so many more important factors that go into the crime rates the majority being its going to be inherent in any poor underclass society regardless of race. Crime in such areas is not as much influenced by cultural leanings (although certainly can play a part) but more so lack of opportunity.

I believe rap is more of a product of the lifestyle that young urban African Americans have lived. Rap's birthplace is basically in a time where the country, and the African American community is facing one of the worst recessions in decades and some of the highest crime rate. That is shown with the popularity in groups like Public Enemy. Rap is less the cause of violence as it is a representation of it. A tangible culturally significant factor that is easier to see than unemployment levels, lack of opportunity, poor education systems etc.

The exception that proves the rule (sort of ) is the lack of crime in the large white consumer base in rap music. Race plays no part in the crime and neither the genre of music but much more pertinent factors do.