Rap and Hip Hop Music - Destroying Black Youth?

Let me preface this outburst by saying that I LOVE rap and Hip Hop music. I don't think there's anything better to dance to than hip hop. Nothing else, except for some club songs, has the beat and groovability of hip hop and rap.

Unfortunately, rap/hip hop more often than not promotes a hedonistic and unproductive lifestyle that encourages the cycle of poverty and gang life in black communities. I mean, reallllly..what does hip hop music promote? Drugs, sex, fancy cars, dance clubs, and bad clothing trends. For example, Destiny's Child's new song "Soldier" puts thugs on a pedestal.

"If his status ain't hood
I ain't checkin' for him
Betta be street if he lookin' at me I need a soldier
That ain't scared to stand up for me Known to carry big things If you know what I mean
If his status ain't hood
I ain't checkin' for him
Betta be street if he looking at me..."

What the hell is that???? OH yah...the best man for any young woman is a ghetto thug with a nice hoopdee. Get over yourself DC! The "thugs" you're rollin with are rap stars with multimillion dollar record deals. The thugs you're promoting on the streets to the masses are the ones that have no future and get locked up for drug deals. How bout telling young girls to look for men who have a future. How bout some men who wear suits instead of baggy jeans? How bout some men who don't need to fight with their fists, because they fought with their minds and took their families out of the hood to safer places? C'mon, let's hope for something better for our youth, esp. the black youth. Let's give'em something else to look up to and let's give them some goals.

Some songs do delve into important topics with substance, like Tupac's "Dear Momma" and Eminem's "Toy Soldiers"; however, the majority do not. And I think it's fine when songs are just about having a good time, cuz that's what we want to do when we listen to them. We're trying to relax or we're trying to dance and forget about the day's troubles. But most songs just promote the worst elements. For example, the lack of respect given to women in hip hop/rap songs and videos is appalling. Jay-Z's callin women bitches and Nelly's tellin women to spread eagle. I'm all for free speech and catchy rhymes, but young girls in today's society don't get the guidance they need from their parents and schools so they're left vulnerable to this crap.

Young people need to be raised properly in order to realize what most adults already know...that rap and hip hop music are often just what they seem to be...some catchy lines and slammin beats to dance to...not a life to be emulated.