Did you get a “Good Feeling” while dancing with “Moves Like Jagger” in “Paradise” with a “Country Girl” while you “Set Fire to the Rain”? I’m sure you did.
Unfortunately, the music of the twenty-first century is more than just good vibes and sweet songs.
Rappers and other artists, such as Jay Z, Soulja Boy, Mims, Lil Wayne, Plies, and many others use their power and influence in the music industry to repeat words and phrases that are disrespectful – disgusting even. The only reason why these songs are popular is because of the upbeat and catchy hooks, rhythms, and tones that are used. Underneath all of the auto-tuned mess are the lyrics that no one pays attention to, since being able to dance to a song is more important than being able to sing to it.
Lyrics and their meanings have changed over time, which is perfectly fine, because music should transform with society’s likes, dislikes, and demands, but using the “F” and “B” words as if they were an acceptable part of human vocabulary isn’t necessary. The impact of these words being used in songs that constantly play and replay on the radio is harming our youth, causing our future leaders to become perverse, contemptuous and rude.
Lil Wayne’s song “Every Girl” has just about every word in the book of disrespect one could think of: “I just can't pick one so you can never say I'm choosy h**s. And Wayne say p**** p**** p****. And weed and alcohol seem to satisfy us all. D***. And every time I think of staying with her. She bring that friend around that make a n**** reconsider man. Baby I wish I could f*** every girl in the world.”
Those asterisks provide women with the idea that they are prizes to be won, items, and not actual people. In the 21st century, men and women are of equal status; these lyrics undermine everything that a female has worked for. It is not right for artists to feel that speaking about women like this, with these words, is acceptable.
Parents wonder why their children feel that they are unaccepted, ugly, and need to conform to others’ ideas of perfection. With our lives revolving around music and what all that music has represented over time, these lyrics, words and ideas seem to be a setback to everything that the music industry once represented.
Acting as a way to release feelings, speaking out against the government about something that is wrong, and depicting experiences and attitudes during life were only a few ways that music transformed the world. It allowed for the freedom of expression during the darkest hours, and one voice could have changed a generation.
Now, our radio stations have to censor words and phrases out of songs in order for them to be played on public radio. Stations such as 102.7 KIIS FM and 97.1 AMP Radio currently have thousands of censored songs on their playlists, because those are the songs that people want to hear. Music sales continuously rise and musicians receive more money and appreciation for songs that shouldn’t be considered “good music.”
Kanye West and Jay-Z hold the highest number of total Grammy wins for Best Rap Song, 2 and 4, respectively. This just goes to show that our society has come to accept the bad, and praise the worst.
In September of 2011, well-known artist Soulja Boy released his single “Let’s Be Real,” which included lyrics against the government and our soldiers. He recorded, “F*** the F.B.I. and f*** all the Army troops/Fighting for what, b****? Be your own man.” What is this showing our youth? That speaking out against the men and women that are protecting our country is okay?
It is shameful that Elvis Presley once said “Pretty Woman,” a phrase that has been turned into “Sexy B****” by David Guetta; it is even more shameful that this new phrase is accepted.
Artists should use their gifts to influence a generation, not weaken it.