Don’t put the blame on hip-hop (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Don’t put the blame on hip-hop

8:35am Wednesday 13th August 2008 in Columnists By Simon Qureshi

People today listen to different types of music. We all listen to a wide range of music ranging from rock, pop to hip-hop.

Within pop there are squeaky clean teens. Within rock there are legends, yet within hip hop there are gangsters that people disapprove of.

When a rock star smashes up his hotel room, it seems to be cool, yet when a hip-hop star even mentions a gun or something, he is a criminal.

People blame the genre of hip-hop for the violence we see among youngsters on the streets. Just because 50 Cent says he is going to shoot someone, it does not mean he wants everybody to go do the same.

These hip-hop stars are not to blame for youths stabbing each other and killing each other. These things happened way before hip-hop was around.

People should have the common sense not to go out and kill a person because they heard it in a song.

That is a narrow-minded approach as it is the equivalent of you or I robbing a bank because we saw it on the news.

To blame a genre of music for the trouble of youths is ridiculous.

Yes, hip-hop stars glorify guns, drugs and women, but this is only a persona. They are only putting on an act for the camera. That is just like your average soap character from Coronation Street acting.

You do not honestly think, with the money these rap stars earn, they would risk it all by dealing drugs and carrying a gun. No. They are merely doing it for the camera but more importantly, doing it for your money.

When a rock star breaks his guitar or smashes up a hotel room why is that seen to be cool? They are actually destroying property. Compare that to a hip-hop star who takes pride in the things they earn.

All types of music will influence the minority, but it is these people who are affecting the majority listening to the music because they like it, not to be a gangster who deals drugs. I honestly do not think hip-hop is a bad influence on anyone because we are influenced by things everyday. It is up to the individual to have common sense and not be swayed by a few words.

It is wrong to blame one source for why a few people become violent. People are violent for a number of different reasons, not because of music.

I think people are too quick to jump on the bandwagon that hip-hop is a bad influence.

Look at this way: Would you say no to doing what they are doing earning millions? I didn’t think so...