Rap Music

The second genre I wanted to write about for this series is the genre that is most listened to by kids and teenagers my age: rap. When most people think of the genre rap, their minds automatically go to gangs, guns, drugs, money, and women. Rap is usually portrayed as a negative influence to many parents and adults because they believe it’s “evil” due to its vulgar and aggressive lyrics. But the truth is, rap can actually benefit those who listen to it.

History

Rap music, also known as hip-hop, originated in the African American and Latinx communities of the South Bronx in New York City during the late 1970s. It was a form of expression that emerged from a variety of cultural influences, including African and African American musical traditions, Jamaican sound system culture, and the spoken word poetry of the Beat Generation. It began as a form of street poetry set to beats created by DJs who would loop and extend the instrumental breaks in popular funk, soul, and disco songs, while MCs (or rappers) would rhyme and rap over the beats, often improvising lyrics that spoke to the experiences and struggles of their communities. Through their lyrics and intelligence on the art of hip-hop, artists such as Tupac, Jay-Z, Biggie, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar have made significant contributions to the genre, helping to shape it into what it is today: a global phenomenon.

Benefits

1. Enhances Vocabulary and Language Skills

Rap music is known for its complex and clever wordplay. A study by Andrew Karpinski and Daragh McDermott showed that individuals who listen to rap music demonstrate superior vocabulary and verbal skills compared to those who don't. The rapid-fire rhyming and extensive use of slang and metaphor in rap lyrics employ a rich and diverse lexicon that can help listeners expand their vocabulary and improve their language skills. In fact, a study conducted by Matt Daniels in 2014, titled "The Largest Vocabulary in Hip Hop," compared the vocabularies of popular hip-hop artists with those of Shakespeare and Herman Melville. The study found that rappers such as Aesop Rock, GZA, and Kool Keith had vocabularies larger than both Shakespeare and Melville. For example, according to the graph by Matt Daniels that recorded the number of unique words from the first 35,000 lyrics, he found that Aesop Rock beat both Shakespeare's 5,170 words, as well as Herman Melville's 6,022 words, with 7,392 words.

2. Increases Contextual Learning

Furthermore, rap lyrics also contain complex metaphors, similes, and cultural references, which can help listeners develop a deeper understanding of language and its many nuances. This contextual learning allows individuals to not only learn new words but also understand their meaning and usage within a broader context. By engaging with rap music, listeners are exposed to new words, ideas, and cultural references within a meaningful and engaging framework and encouraged to think critically about the language and make connections between words, phrases, and ideas. For example, by using metaphors and similes to express complex ideas in a creative and relatable manner, they present listeners with the opportunity to decipher these figurative expressions. Such comparisons can also help listeners make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts, further reinforcing the learning process. In addition, rap lyrics often include wordplay, puns, and double meanings, which encourage listeners to think critically about language and its potential interpretations. For instance, in the song "DNA" by Kendrick Lamar, a rapper known for his intricate wordplay and thought-provoking lyrics, he raps

"I got power, poison, pain, and joy inside my DNA

I got hustle though, ambition, flow, inside my DNA."

Kendrick uses alliteration and assonance to emphasize the different aspects of his personality, which he attributes to his genetic makeup. The juxtaposition of positive and negative traits (power and poison, pain and joy, hustle, and ambition) in just these two lines paints a complex and nuanced portrait of the artist.

3. Motivating

Rap is more upbeat and energetic compared to other genres, which is the reason why it can invigorate so many people and encourage them to dream big no matter what obstacles they may face. For example, hearing rappers talk about their struggles, dreams, aspirations, and the luxurious lifestyles they live stimulates ideas of life improvement, leading to increased motivation.

One of the primary reasons rap music is motivating lies in the relatable narratives that it often presents. Many rap artists come from humble beginnings and have faced adversity throughout their lives. By sharing their experiences through their lyrics, they create a connection with their audience, allowing listeners to find solace and inspiration in their stories. Many rap songs feature themes of overcoming adversity and hardship, which resonate with listeners who have faced similar challenges. This encourages them to persevere and work towards their goals, despite the obstacles that may arise. Take the famous rapper Polo G as an example. With almost 24 million monthly listeners on Spotify, he’s most known for writing songs that shares his rough childhood experiences of poverty, like in one of his most successful songs, “Through Da Storm” with the verse,

“Couldn’t leave my brother in them trenches, told him come and stay with me

We gon’ live like kings for all them nights ain’t have no place to sleep”

as well as in another song, “Chosen 1” with,

“I used to daydream, I pictured everything so vividly

I had a feeling we’d be rich since the elementary

My peoples gone, got to witness everything they ain’t get to see”

Rap music is filled with rags-to-riches stories, in which artists tell tales of how they rose from poverty to success. These stories inspire listeners by illustrating that hard work, dedication, and determination can lead to achieving one's dreams.