Behind the Lyrics

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this? my beloved, lets get down to business mental self-defensive fitness, yo! bum rush the show, you gotta go for what you know make everybody see, in order to fight the powers that be.” Through these lyrics the artist attempted to ignite a feeling of action in the listeners to continue to fight for equality in the African American culture and also to voice the struggles of the neglected people who lived in inner cities. “Rap music, notwithstanding its modern–day origins as pure entertainment, has always been challenged to shoulder the social responsibilities of the communities from which it emerged” (Rap Music). Therefore, initially the audience of the rap music culture viewed rap as a vehicle of resistance. So with all of that said, my point that the lyrics in early styles of rap being simply a form of expression is supported, lyrics can range from rhyming about hardships in the community to a regular day of class to a dance song. However, rap music was slightly different in the 1980’s compared to rap music of the early 1990’s. Rap music of the 80’s influenced two styles, one style being West coast rap and the other East coast rap. These two styles dominated the rap game during early 1990’s. Although rap is known to originate in Bronx, New York, West coast rap or “Gangsta Rap” was pioneered in Compton California. However rap music reaching the west coast changed the entire rap industry. N.W.A (Niggas with Attitudes) is a group of artist who are credited for pioneering the first uncensored, unapologetic and violent style of “Gangsta Rap.” Around the same time other west coast rappers arose also including Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, Havoc, Mack 10, and Natt Dogg. This takes us into a well-known rivalry in rap history. The well populariz... ... middle of paper ... ... an action, depending on the demographics the company was aiming for. For example, there’s a commercial with Lil Romeo promoting the ICDC College. In the commercial he speaks about how important college is and how it can benefit you in the long run. This can motivate listeners who maybe listen to Romeo’s music, who know him or simply listeners of his complexion and age group that can relate. The commercial ends with Lil Romeo raping about calling up ICDC College, basically saying the listeners should call the college for more information regarding admissions or just general concerns or questions. The lyrics of rap music can be used in many ways; lately it appears frequently in the advertisement industry, where it is used to get the attention of certain group of people to either buy a product, motivate them to join a movement or simple to inform them about something.

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