Like many upper-middle class people who will never be shot at, I am fascinated by the world


of post-modern hip-hop. However, I once hated it as an obscene culture that glorified violence, racial divides, and the objectification of women.

I just didn’t understand. I thought real music had to be made with real instruments.

Like many, I thought it promoted violence; this claim allows it to be criminalize.

The Streets is going on about geezers needing excitement, and I love it. Skinner isn’t what most would think of for hip-hop, but for me, it’s music and the culture surrounding it that are of importance.

Between the bouncing cars, sideways hats, and chains hanging low, it’s hard to tell these days whether you live in a middle class neighborhood or the heart of Harlem. Kids have taken a liking to rap music.

We wonder why crime rates have shot up in recent years. Could it be because the popularity of rap has skyrocketed, sending the message that the things rappers sing about are acceptable? What message is it sending when we allow rap artists to talk positively about the very things we want off of our streets and pay them to do it? We need to stand up and realize that our morals need to come before money. We can do that by starting to let rap just be music, not a way of life.
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