Language Representation in the Media

Navia Walden
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY

Language is a common barrier that brings society together, through its representation in the
media, in music, and videos. It's how people communicate with one another, to show emotions, to get a
message across or simply for entertainment. However not all of the language that is used across the
stream ways of media is language that is for the common good of the people. It is instead some that
influence society in a negative way, with the words, and images it produces.
It becomes our way of thinking, which turns into what comes out of our mouths and ultimately
how others look at us. This is the issue in the case of gangster rap, particularly in the African American
community. I am a part of the African American community and although I myself listen to the music at
times, I do see this as an issue especially in the youth of my community. It is an issue that I want to see
change take place which is why I was prompted to speak on the issue. The impact that it is having on not
only my community but the listeners of this genre is huge. Music plays an important role in the
socialization of children and adolescents. Listening to popular music is considered to society as a way of
growing up, providing entertainment and distractions from problems and as a way to relieve tension and
boredom (pediatrics 2009).
The question then arises as to how big of a role does this music play to its listeners? The language
used in gangster rap songs can be seen as degrading, vulgar, misleading, and even unworthy of being
played on public radio. Why? Why is this the case? What issues does this issue cause? Is it one that can
get fixed? Is it an issue worth fighting for? Today I will discuss the language representation in the media.

Hip hop music, is a music genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly
accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted. More than a century before
rap exploded onto the American music scene, West African musicians were telling stories
rhythmically, with just the beat of a drum for accompaniment. Meanwhile, folk artists from the
Caribbean Islands were also telling stories in rhyme. Indeed, these singing poets from Africa and
the Caribbean lay the foundation for modern-day American rap music. Rapping essentially
involves the speaking or chanting of rhyming lyrics, often set to a beat. The rhyming created by

rappers is considered by many to be one of the most sophisticated styles of poetry. Whats more,
these rhymes often address provocative subjects such as sex, violence and socio-political issues.
(platiclittleraps).
Rapping first gained popularity in the U.S. in the 1970s as a kind of street art, especially
among African American teenagers. But it wasnt until 1979, when the Sugarhill Gang released
their breakaway hit, Rappers Delight, that record producers took notice of this emerging
musical genre. once they did, numerous rap acts, including Run-DMC and N.W.A., surfaced, and
raps audience began to swell. It wasnt just African American male rappers getting in on the act,
either: By the 1980s, white rap bands such as the Beastie Boys and female rap bands such as
Salt-n-Pepa were reaching the top of the charts (plasticlittleraps).
Furthermore, rap music is an issue in todays society because it degrades women, the role
model influence that the rappers have on their listeners, and the language that is used in the
lyrics. In the beginning, women were hardly mentioned in lyrics and videos. If you look back at
the RUN DMC days, Reverend Run and the gang always rapped about different life experiences.
Hip-hop was fun, refreshing, and new (Albert, 2009). However, now rappers have been
degrading women through their lyrics and musical videos heavily. The lyrics about women are
very vivid. A person can paint a picture alone by just listening to a song nowadays. Also in the
video women can be in nothing but their bathing suits showing off all their assets, but the most a
man will take off is his shirt.
With these thoughts in mind the people that are causing the issue, whether they are the
rappers themselves or the women in the video, serve as role models to their listeners. Being a
part of the African American community I can speak from experience where some children lack
positive role models, so they look at other resources for guidance such as rappers. They start to

believe that the lyrics they rap are the way they should live their life. The influential impact is
precarious to the mind. Children do what they see or are shown. Furthermore, they are born with
an open mind which their perspective is shaped by what society is putting out. Also, they start to
mimic what they see or hear in these videos. For instance, N.W.A. got the ball of gangster rap
rolling with the production of "Fuck The Police" in 1988 (Giovacchini, 1999). The perspective of
the listeners, in particular the children, are depicted by the lyrics in this song. In this song they
are saying fuck the police. This is portraying that the police are against them so they do not
respect the police when they come around. Although there are some bad policemen, rappers
should not portray the image that all policemen are bad. Not to get it mistaken that this is the
view of all African Americans because it is not. There are African Americans who are supportive
of the police as it is those who wear the uniform of a police officer.
Not to mention, most of these rappers are college educated such as Sean Combs, a
graduate of Howard University, but did not see the need to promote it to their listeners unless it is
an issue they are particularly asked about. Their main focus is to publicize guns, sex, and drugs
because that is what sells. Granted they may have spoken occasionally about education. Yet,
which is going to leave a bigger impact, something you talk about occasionally or those that are
spoken of on a day-to-day basis?
The impact this music has on our society is an issue that is often overlooked by the
majority. To name a few the mindsets, the way society views them, and the language they use are
some factors that affects our society. Listeners of this music think that money, cars, and clothes
are what are going to sustain them in life but it is not. For example Trey Songz, an R&B artist
has a song entitled successful. In his lyrics he states: I want the money, money and the cars, cars
and the clothes I suppose I just wanna be, I just wanna be successful. These lyrics just go to

prove the impact it has on its listeners saying that to be being successful all you need is money,
cars, and clothes, when in reality thats not all you need to be successful. You have to work for
success. With rappers rapping about these particular things, it is leaving their listeners to have the
mindset of thinking that way. Especially if it is a rapper they look up to, they are going to feel
that what they are saying is right.
In addition, the way society views people who listen to rap music is an affect in our
society as well. Some people look at those that listen to the music as if they are the images that
are portrayed in the lyrics. They think that this is how they want to live their life when there are
some people who listen to the music for enjoyment and they understand that the money, cars, and
clothes is not what is going to sustain you in life. Even though people who listen to this music
know this is not the way of life, they have to defend themselves as well.
Majority of rap lyrics do not use proper English. Rather they use slang, Ebonics or words
they have been made up. The interpretations of these words that are used by these rappers affect
how its listeners ultimately communicate in society. For example younger children tend to think
it is okay to talk like this on a regular basis. Not realizing some of the words used are not
Standard American English. They use it so much that it becomes the norm to them and they are
not able to distinguish where to use the language. It can affect their reading and writing as well
because they start write how they speak. Overall this music can have effect on its listeners and
how society treats them if they allow it to.
Hip hop music, is a music genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly
accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted. More than a century before
rap exploded onto the American music scene, West African musicians were telling stories
rhythmically, with just the beat of a drum for accompaniment. Meanwhile, folk artists from the

Caribbean Islands were also telling stories in rhyme. Indeed, these singing poets from Africa and
the Caribbean lay the foundation for modern-day American rap music. Rapping essentially
involves the speaking or chanting of rhyming lyrics, often set to a beat. The rhyming created by
rappers is considered by many to be one of the most sophisticated styles of poetry. Whats more,
these rhymes often address provocative subjects such as sex, violence and socio-political issues.
(platiclittleraps).
Rapping first gained popularity in the U.S. in the 1970s as a kind of street art, especially
among African American teenagers. But it wasnt until 1979, when the Sugarhill Gang released
their breakaway hit, Rappers Delight, that record producers took notice of this emerging
musical genre. once they did, numerous rap acts, including Run-DMC and N.W.A., surfaced, and
raps audience began to swell. It wasnt just African American male rappers getting in on the act,
either: By the 1980s, white rap bands such as the Beastie Boys and female rap bands such as
Salt-n-Pepa were reaching the top of the charts (plasticlittleraps).
To conclude, language helps to bring society together especially through the media. We
use the media to relate to one another, to gather information, and so forth. One main issue is the
affect rap music (hip hop) has on our society. It can affect a persons way of thinking, talking,
and influence them to believe some of the lyrics are the way of life. Some ways to help solve this
issue is to introduce yourself or others to a different genre of music. There are many other types
of music you can listen to such as r&b, gospel, and jazz just to name a few. Also, if you really
like rap music try to find an artist who does not degrade women or uses so much vulgar
language. Yet, it is not a problem to explore different genres of music just so you can be aware of
it. Finally, parents should not allow their children to listen to such vulgar songs at a young age.
They should be the role model they want their child to look up to. Also, they can introduce them

to different environments where other forms of music are present. I hope I have given my point
fully as to where I stand on language representation in the media. Also, I hope I have provided
sufficient details to support this issue in our society.

References

Elkouby, S. (2013, September 30). The Power of Hip Hop Culture. Retrieved June 27, 2015,
from http://raprehab.com/rap-music-brainwashed-youth-and-the-power-of-hip-hop-culture/

Giovacchini, A. (1999, June 4). The Negative Influence of Gangster Rap And What Can Be Done
About It. Retrieved June 27, 2015, from
https://web.stanford.edu/class/e297c/poverty_prejudice/mediarace/negative.htm

Impact of Music, Music Lyrics, and Music Videos on Children and Youth. (n.d.). Retrieved June
27, 2015, from http://m.pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/124/5/1488.full

Liljequist, K. (2002). Does Music and Lyrical Content Influence Human Behavior? Retrieved
June 27, 2015, from http://www.positivemusicassociation.com/resources/article_lijequist1.htm