Rap music emerged from the extensive social changes that took place in the eighties and nineties in the inner cities of the United States. It was a way of musical self-expression for the black community to highlight the discrimination, segregation, injustice, and other social issues that they experienced.
Somewhere along the way, though, it also gained a reputation for being unsavory and degenerate. There seemed to be too much focus on violence and guns, drugs and alcohol, and gangs and street warfare. Some of the rap songs glorified violence and sexual exploitation of women. There was the frequent use of strong language and profanity in the lyrics.
However, that is just one side of the coin. It is not all sheer negativity and doom, and it is even unfair to pin an undesirable label on the entire genre. There are, after all, many rap songs that are more about becoming self-aware and successful. Some of the best rappers of all time write lyrics aimed at raising social consciousness and influencing listeners for the better. Let’s look at how their music is helping to bring about a positive change in American society as well as globally.
How the best rappers influence music in society:
They create music that unifies people
Rap music is no longer limited to the black community but has become a global phenomenon. People from diverse backgrounds and nationalities enjoy rap music and have adopted the urban street style of dressing—baggy pants, backward cap, and expensive sneakers— that arose from it. They perform their own rap songs in their own languages. Even if you don’t understand what they are saying, you will be able to appreciate their energy and their talent. It will be easier to connect over music and discover other common interests.
In black inner-city neighborhoods as well, rap music has enabled people to bond with each other and develop a stronger community feeling.
They create music that raises social awareness
You will encounter very profound messages in the rap lyrics of some of the best rappers of all time. They draw attention to the myriad social problems that exist in the inner cities, such as drug-related crimes, gun violence, domestic violence, gangs, poverty, joblessness, lack of education, and more. Such narratives will make listeners—and especially young people who have had similar experiences in their own lives—more aware of the world around them and the conditions they face. And by thinking and talking about these, they may be able to find ways to overcome them and bring about a positive change.
They provide moral support through their music
They stress the importance of individuality and education and encourage young people to dream big and never give up on themselves. They talk about past mistakes they made and how they overcame their issues, letting listeners know that they can turn their lives around and become successful too. Because of such inspirational and hope-filled messages, rap music is becoming popular in youth therapy programs. It helps young people to engage in some self-reflection, become empowered, express themselves positively, and participate in community building.
They provide pure entertainment
Music that is merely about sending out a social or political message is likely to get tedious over time. Fortunately, the best rappers of all time haven’t neglected the entertaining aspect of rap music. They influence social trends with amusing, intriguing, and powerful stories that keep listeners engaged.
They may create fictionalized or exaggerated accounts of themselves as characters who are associated with criminal activities or who live in dangerous urban neighborhoods. They may claim to go on extravagant shopping sprees costing more than a million dollars, wear ostentatious jewelry, and be involved with multiple women. Of course, most of the time, these vivid stories are about as genuine as a James Bond movie. That is, they are nothing more than entertainment.
Whatever you feel about rap music, it is a fact that it has had a tremendous impact on an entire generation of people around the world. The rapid-fire, witty lyrics by the best rappers of all time best have inspired upcoming artistes to experiment with their music and bring more originality and verve to the genre.