HUMN240 Popular Culture

Violence is prominent in televisions, movies and popular music. This violence occurs as a part of popular music through the lyrics that express this violence. Music containing violent lyrics is more prevalent in rap and heavy rock music but does occur in other forms of popular music as well.
There are really two popular beliefs about the presence of violence in popular music. The first belief is that the violent lyrics have no effect on those who are listening to the music. The second belief is that music with violent lyrics can cause listeners to act with more violent behavior. These views are both shown in this quote, “We cannot point to any piece of music and say that it must generate violence, but nor can be say that it cannot under any circumstances.” (Masterman, 2009)
Listening to violent music does not necessarily cause a person to act violently. I have listened to music with violence in it and never wanted to “cap” someone. But on the other hand I don’t have violent tendencies. My children are not allowed to listen to that type of music at home but sometimes they will hear it at school and numerous times my child has repeated language that he learned from popular music. Often he doesn’t understand what he is saying but since popular music can affect language, I believe it could also affect behavior.
Certain musicians who perform music with violent lyrics have become icons. These musicians have escalated above the level of musician and despite the language in their music millions revere them. Two specific rappers that became icons are Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. Despite the argument that rap music does not inspire violent behavior both of these icons were murdered by shooting.

References:
Masterman, B. P. (2009). Dark Side of the Tune: Popular Music and Violence (review). Notes, 66(2), 282-284.
Bezatis, Athan (Contributor). (2000). Biggie and Tupac [Image], Retrieved January 13, 2012 from: http://www.filmcritic.com/reviews/2002/biggie-and-tupac/

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