This house believes Rock music promotes violence more than Rap...wait, what?
So my school had a debate. I missed it. Guess what it was about. Yah, you're right. Rock VS Rap in violence content. I'm gonna chase up the Debating Society President and ask who were the speakers and what was said. Oh yeah, I'm so doing that. I cannot believe I missed such a debate. I mean, who agrees? I totally disagree with that comment. Rock is forever a progressing movement that doesn't talk about violence all the time. Rock has songs that may contain violence, but its in subtle doses that its not promoting violence. Whereas rock is more about past the stage of violence, its concentrated more on the beauty of death, how we shouldn't fear it, but treat it as another amazing part of our life cycle. Rap I find is so blatant in talking about killing others and getting a name for yourself. Its glamorizing violence, which in effect is hsowing naive, easily influenced people, that you'll have rewards at the end of your violent behaviour. And children we all know 'Glamour Kills' (awesome band by the way). Rock is more exploring the dark side of love, life, death and pain. If its talking about violence, its not saying its good and that you should commit to it, its giving you an open way ot think about it; you make your own decision on whether violence seen in this song is good or not. In teh example of real world, let us look at Exhibit A (Eminem), Exhibit B (50 Cent) and Exhibit C (insert violence promoting rap artist, what? You don't actually expect me to know about these rapsters do you? Sorry, but I don't listen to rap. I find it very vulgar).
I'm not saying Rock has no violence in it. I can admit it does. But definitely not more than Rap. And I'm also not downgrading Rap, because I'm all up for a diverse world, having an open mind and tolerating others. Just that when I see Rock's name being smeared all over through association with a negative issue, I get worked up. This is a lesson to you all. Never say bad things about Rock. You'll hear from me. And I won't be very nice.
However, my fuller opinion is that its not always the lyrics that are the cause of violence, but the way a song is perceived. Example, if I heard Demolition Lovers, Drowning Lessons, Slit Your Own Throat, I wouldn't be much affected by any violent innuendos. On the other hand, take someone who has a polie record or is naturally more aggressive, they may take it the wrong way and try to commit in real life what they hear in songs. So its about the type of personality you have to be able to think that a certain song is promoting violence. Add to that the upbringing and role models. A cause for something is never straightforward.
And I do realize that I'm biased in my arguments. So, sue me. I'm a loyal fan of rock. I don't like it when its being held responsible for such big parts of life. First it was 'Blame rock for all those teen suicides'. Now if that's enough, they're trying to put all violence into that bag. Next you hear its Rock that is promoting crime. Geez, stop with the rock smearing campaign.
I'd love to hear your opinions on this matter. Leave a comment, even if its short, about what you think, which side you're on and whatever else you have to say in general.
Much love,
Raylin
I'm not saying Rock has no violence in it. I can admit it does. But definitely not more than Rap. And I'm also not downgrading Rap, because I'm all up for a diverse world, having an open mind and tolerating others. Just that when I see Rock's name being smeared all over through association with a negative issue, I get worked up. This is a lesson to you all. Never say bad things about Rock. You'll hear from me. And I won't be very nice.
However, my fuller opinion is that its not always the lyrics that are the cause of violence, but the way a song is perceived. Example, if I heard Demolition Lovers, Drowning Lessons, Slit Your Own Throat, I wouldn't be much affected by any violent innuendos. On the other hand, take someone who has a polie record or is naturally more aggressive, they may take it the wrong way and try to commit in real life what they hear in songs. So its about the type of personality you have to be able to think that a certain song is promoting violence. Add to that the upbringing and role models. A cause for something is never straightforward.
And I do realize that I'm biased in my arguments. So, sue me. I'm a loyal fan of rock. I don't like it when its being held responsible for such big parts of life. First it was 'Blame rock for all those teen suicides'. Now if that's enough, they're trying to put all violence into that bag. Next you hear its Rock that is promoting crime. Geez, stop with the rock smearing campaign.
I'd love to hear your opinions on this matter. Leave a comment, even if its short, about what you think, which side you're on and whatever else you have to say in general.
Much love,
Raylin
Posted on January 19th, 2008 at 11:17pm
Comments
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I'm really just behind the times, aren't I? I apologize for that... Ahem... :P
ghpunk, March 2nd, 2009 at 05:17:58am
It really depends on the person, the exact genre of rock or rap they listen to and all sorts of things. There's no exact way to say either is the bad part, because really, neither of them are. Music is supposed to be an outlet, and your Debate President who picked this topic, wasn't it? Well, he did a horrible choice. Why tear up what musicians are trying to get out? Why dissect it, question it, doubt it, and fear it, when it was purely made to be enjoyed. I understand where you're coming from (I'm a biased rock fan, too) But simply saying one is more violent than the other is pure ludacricy in my eyes. They're both guilty.
But they're both fun, too. So it's a win/win situation, in a way. :P
ghpunk, March 2nd, 2009 at 05:16:29am
i understand what you're trying to say. ^__^
it totally makes sense. and what everyone's said about 'one genre shouldn't be generalised', but looked at with its individual aspects and artists.
collar blue., July 21st, 2008 at 12:56:32am
You can't really say that one genre has more violence than the other. It depends on the artist/song. Rock GENERALLY nowadays DOES "spread" topics like depression, living vs. suicide, etc. I love rock to death. But it is what it is.
Rock has more emotional topics that concern stuff like dying and suicide and stuff like that. Rap really doesn't. Maybe it has lyrics like "don't f*ck with me cause I'm a hustler and I'll f*cking break your f*cking face off me and my gang" or it says sh*t like "I took out my .22 and shot his f*cking arm off". At the end of the day, in my opinion, rock overpowers rap in the debate of violence. Rock f*cks with your brain mentally. It doesn't f*ck with it, but... idk how to say this. It's just more emotional. Rap is generally about sex and guns and gangs. That's really pretty much it.
Also, rock is classified a lot of by its appearance. People like members from Splitknot or KISS or... Marilyn Manson shock our culture along the line. Rap is people in 'do rags and swagging pants. They talk about guns and they talk about gangs.
Rock talks about suicide, and dark sh*t. It can convince you more than rap. sh*t I'm so bad at explaining myself.
Because if anyone's ever listened to Eminem, he talks about suicide and what a sh*tty life he's had. If you changed the beat of that song and added guitar, bass and SANG the song, you'd have a rock song in every sense and manner. Like... it's the same thing. But rock can definitely, in my opinion, influence someone easier. Now if that's PROMOTING, I don't know. I'm sure Breaking Benjamin or MCR really doesn't want anyone to kill themselves. Rock has touchier subjects. Rap has flat out subjects that deal with confidence and ... protecting yourself...or being in that bad, horrible "hood" as a kid.
And you know what?
This is a longass comment and I'm pretty sure I don't make sense.
Julia?, July 20th, 2008 at 10:29:43pm
ugh. i dont blame you for being biast.
to me, rap just screams violence. what with the music videos, and all that you see on the news about how they got sent to jail cause they beat the sh*t outta some guy.
and im not saying that rock performers are angels. theyre not. in fact, some are far from it, but its like you said. its all how you interpret the music and the lyrics.
some buttfaces just take it too literally. :P
AllieAutopsy!, June 1st, 2008 at 03:48:31am
Spaztastic and fireatwill are right.
My parents think that ROCK just gives all teenagers these influences - just because of their style, their actions and all the crap parents don't seem to really understand. They just conclude this without further learning about it. Rap, well because they dress normal, doesn't really mean they don't teach violence. Come on. Most of their lyrics have sex and drugs.... So, doesn't that fall in the violence part. Of course it does. Some rock songs have sex or drugs it in, but typically, not at all. Most rock songs are just emotions, no teaching of the guns or whatever Rap does. But to what Spaz said, not all rap promote violence... I listen to Kanye West and Eminem the most - but 50 cent and Snoop Dogg, then - those kinds are more likely to put sex and drugs in their songs. As all goes... I'm on the rock side.
I am God, January 20th, 2008 at 03:22:40am
i efing agree
Biankis!, January 20th, 2008 at 01:39:43am
i agree...most rock is about sending a message to people that violence isn't the answer....some people are too imature to look at the lyrics and think, "Even if the sound sounds violent, it doesn't mean that the lyrics are too."
my brother listens to rap....(he listens to Nas, The Game, etc....he used to listen to rock....) and i agree with xofireatwillox....rap degrades women....its one of the reasons i don't listen to it as well......
Heroes and Cons, January 20th, 2008 at 12:15:22am
Lol I think you better stay away from knives then. I don't get twitchy, but I certainly get bored. I'm constantly on the move. I actually can't single task. If I'm doing something, I have to find something else to do with it. That's not related to my entry, but w/e.
collar blue., January 20th, 2008 at 12:13:17am
I twitch a lot. Like, I'll be holding a pencil, fork or whatever and all of a sudden I'll lose control, twitch and drop whatever I've holding. My friends call me a spaz. That's why I don't like holding knives. I'm always afraid I'll drop it on someone.
Lol.
Spaztastic, January 20th, 2008 at 12:05:58am
I agree Lovesick and Spaztastic <-- what category do you call yourself spaz on? lol. I'm apparently a cooking and arts spaz. I can't do well in either. I have to be supervised in the kitchen. Record for burning down my kitchen rests at 2. My mum's hoping I don't beat my personal best. lmao. as for art. well, lets not go there.
collar blue., January 20th, 2008 at 12:03:20am
I mean shouldn't*
Spaztastic, January 19th, 2008 at 11:49:13pm
I'm going to say this: Rap that was made after 1999 is very violent. The majority of it, anyway. Not all. Old school and Golden Age rap wasn't all violent nor did it always degrade women. That's why I like the old things.
And yeah, there are some violent rock bands of today. Some of MCR's old songs are very violent. Their first album was for sure. Even some punk bands are violent.
People should judge the entire genre based on some bands, like you said.
Spaztastic, January 19th, 2008 at 11:43:00pm
Violence has been in art since forever. It's all about how you see it. I don't think there is music promoting crime or violence. This is all just an excuse.
Music doesn't make people violent, they let themselves become violent.
kafka., January 19th, 2008 at 11:42:21pm
Yep, concerts can get heavy. Some performances do go wild.
I guess, yeah, there are certain people who do seem to be 'promoting' violence more than others in both genres. That's the thing that gets to me. Stereotyping the whole genre on basis of a few selective bands. And yeah, I know I did that. At least I can admit it. Everyone's likely to stereotype once in their life.
I love debates. And I just can't believe I missed one that's so important to me.
collar blue., January 19th, 2008 at 11:38:01pm