Kate Previte
Mrs. Straub
AP Economics
14 October 2014
Is Rap A Negative Externality on Teens?
As G- Eazy Quotes in his song, “Opportunity Costs”, “Everything costs something bro. Winning somewhere, somewhere else you just lost something though”. Since this blog is related to economics, one might question, ‘why would you relate a rap song to exemplify an economic principle?’ Well, the answer is simple. Not only is the song revolved around opportunity costs, but it also leads me to my main topic of research, the negative externalities of listening to certain rap songs, such as leading teens to drug and alcohol use.
Don’t get me wrong- I love rap. For me and many others, it brings a very large amount of utility. In this situation, the non- drug using, rap listening teens, like myself, are the outliers in the data. After this project and research, I took the study into the point of view into a school setting. It made me wonder if just because the people around me liked rap, were they also interested in illegal substances? Are the illegal substances a complementary good to the music? Research has proven that the more teens are exposed to drug references, the more likely they are to be interested in trying the drug. Rap refers to many illegal substances in songs (if alcohol, illegal until we’re 21), and one has to wonder if the two relate. Is rap music a negative externality on our youth society?
To start my research, I had already had prior knowledge of the study of the effects that drug references had on teens. So to take this a step further, I did some research on the average drug reference in one rap song. The results came in, and some might be shocked, but if you regularly listen to rap, it didn’t come as much of a shock.
“Additional analyses explored the frequency of drug references and the type of drugs mentioned in the 41[out of 93 total songs of different genres] rap and gangsta rap songs that mentioned illegal drugs. Multiple references to drugs were found in 59% of the songs. Marijuana (78%) and stimulants (22%) were the most commonly referred to drugs. In addition, almost half of the songs (49%) made general references to drugs or drugs not included in the coding scheme. Few songs mentioned hallucinogens (5%), inhalants (2%), or narcotics (7%) specifically, and none of the songs coded referred to depressants. Of the 41 songs that contained a reference to a drug, 98% conveyed a negative message about drugs.” (jiy.org)
As you can tell, the demand for rap/ gangsta rap is very high after seeing that in a study of students, 41/ 93 of their favorite songs fell under those categories. Taking my research back to a school setting, because that is where teens spend most of their time, I wondered if the people I was seeing around the hallways or sitting around at lunch, also were part of the large majority of drug abusing teens that listened to rap.
Again quoting G- Eazy, “The cost of opportunities is always good to know, but if you know that then you're good to go,” (Opportunity Costs). Knowing the opportunity cost of listening to rap music, is it going to change the majority of the population of teens music choices? Probably not, but knowing the facts can prevent teens from taking the music too seriously. After all, is the opportunity cost of doing drugs because a song referenced it, worth the risk of possibly destroying your future?
Works Cited:
"JYI: Substance." JYI: Substance. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014. <http://legacy.jyi.org/volumes/volume8/issue1/articles/brookshire.html>
"G-Eazy – Opportunity Cost." Genius. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014. <http://rap.genius.com/G-eazy-opportunity-cost-lyrics#note-3336133>.
"'Cookie Dance' Is Another Unbelievably Stupid Music Video About Food - RYOT News." RYOT News. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014. <http://www.ryot.org/cookie-dance/470625>.
Kate, you have raised interesting topics in your post. I somewhat agree on the fact that if a high school student highly idolized a rapper that mentioned substance abuse in their songs, they may resort to that substance abuse because they want to be like that rapper, but I disagree on the fact that listening to rap music directly correlates to abusing substances. I know myself as well as many of my friends listen to rap music on a daily basis and we have never once even considered the use of illegal substances, and also, there are a bunch of people who do use substances that do not listen to rap music at all. There are a ton of externalities besides simple mention of a substance that could cause a student to cross the line and resort to substance abuse.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an interesting way to look at economics that doesn’t relate necessarily to money, but rather the economics of our society. I was shocked by the statistic that stated that 98% of the songs that referenced drugs conveyed negative message about the drugs--although thinking about it now, rappers are often times rapping about the hardships they’ve gone through, but yet we see rap-listening teens making the same mistakes that the rappers are conveying. You make a good point about the fact that if teens knew about the opportunity costs of listening to rap music, they could possibly avoid the costs, which makes sense because humans do it all the time in economics--they choose the option that comes with the least costs.
ReplyDeleteThis piece is very interesting. Do you think that making rappers change their style of words pertaining to immoral things help the society? People have freedom of speech but when does this cross the line when pertaining to evil things? Why do you think that teens are drawn to this music? Politicians always want to take away guns or make more things illegal but what about taking their inspiration which is the music.
ReplyDeleteHey Kate! I really enjoyed your topic and how you used lyrics from songs to allow your readers to better connect with the point and economic connection you were trying to get across. Overall your message is clear, rap music could in fact have some relation to the drug use of teens. Personally I am not a huge fan of rap music because I do in fact believe that rap music does in fact influence teens to partake in illegal and crude activities. Your research and information gave me both the chance to validate my opinion and question myself as well. Overall great job and interesting topic!
ReplyDeleteKate, I believe that you have got to a good point with if the type of music teens listen to can determine their drug use if any. I do however believe that you should have compared the various forms of rap to a different genre like metal or rock or country. That way you could see the drug use differ from the type of music. Overall, I think that you did a great job with connecting this economically. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting topic, for one because you took rap music and drugs and turned it into something about economics. The G-Eazy quotes were nice touches showing that not only is it just you that can connect rap to economics but rappers can as well. I thought that this was an overall very good and interesting topic that i would have never thought could be related to economics with very good research and a nice ending to it.
ReplyDeleteThis has been something I have always thought about, I know that, at least for myself, the slang and words we used as kids came almost word for word from some of our music. I think another interesting topic to bring up is that although some may think the music doesnt affect their actions or thoughts, I would argue that everyone in some way, shape, or form is affected by the lyrics of a song because by listening to it we become so accustomed to the ideas and words they are speaking that we eventually subconscoiusly follow through with the words and actions in our day to day lives
ReplyDeleteThis was a really interesting topic to have written about, and you took the style of music (specifically rap) and created a completely different message to the song itself. It does not shock my attention that heavy rap music references multiple drugs and different types of drugs in just one song alone, as it seems our society has been exposed to more drug related topics than previously. However, I also think that as more rappers expose drugs within their music, the economy could negatively be taking in more money. Especially at younger ages, children are more innocent let alone less experienced; by rappers promoting this type of lifestyle, it creates a want to find out what it is like, ultimately relating to a negative externality as you stated. While I think the expenses of drugs impact the economy significantly yet in a negative way, I agree with your statement that the opportunity cost of rap music is not worth destroying your future.
ReplyDeleteI am glad someone had brought this topic up, because many people (mostly adults) despise rap and everything it has to do with. Regarding whether or not rap music is/can be a cause to teens doing illegal things is debateable. I agree that it does have an influence on it all, but rap isn’t the only type of music that has these references. Take Country music as an example. I listen to all kinds of music and rap and country being two of them; I know that they both reference alcohol a lot, and I know a lot of “rednecks” (not suppose to be offensive) have the same problem with underage drinking but they do it in their own way. As to people who are “gangster” (also not suppose to be offensive) are exposed to music with alcohol references, and they too party in their own way. I think this is a great discussion topic and you make a great point!
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting way to look at teen drug use. While these drug references in music can play a role in teens becoming curious, this alone cannot be the only cause for drug abuse. I feel as though it only goes as far as that: sparking that curiosity. This is why I believe drug referencing music would be more influential on younger teens. It also would be interesting to see how many teen drug users listen to rap vs other music such as pop. I think it is a common stereotype to think that drug users expose themselves mostly to the more vulgar world of music, but this is not always the case. In addition, there are plenty of teens that do listen to this type of music and don’t involve themselves in the drug world.
ReplyDeleteKate, this is a very interesting topic! I really enjoyed how you connected something like a style of music to economics. I was just thinking, couldn’t rap be considered a negative externality for those around the listener? For instance, if a teenager is listening to an explicit drug-referencing rap while their younger brother or sister is around, couldn’t this pose a negative externality by exposing a young child to material and themes that they aren’t ready for? Overall I enjoyed your blog post and it really caused me to think about how highly influential music can be on everyone, especially the teenage population. I wonder how different the world would be in terms of teenage drug abuse if we didn’t have music advertising it.
ReplyDeleteI Found it interesting that as the genre of rap changes that the percentage of substance based lyrics and how that has an effect on the listeners. But like Ally said some people who do listen to rap music are not directly influenced by the lyrics in that they don't abuse substances and that some rappers don't drugs themselves and only use drug based lyrics as a facade to keep their self image up and that there are other influences that can cause substance abuse in rap listeners.
ReplyDeleteI think its interesting to think about a negative externality coming from actions you take because of something you hear, like how you connected drug use to listening to rap music. I do think the two share a similar market of the maybe less educated, possibly a poorer class of people who both take an interest in drugs and rap music. But I also think that there are enough people who just like rap and don't associate with drugs at all, even if they sing along to the suggestive lyrics because its just music.
ReplyDeleteRap has degraded into trash. Literally all you here from the likes of Juicy J, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne is lyrics about drugs or sex. I feel like its all about feeling tough with the bass heavy beats behind their songs. I watched a documentary about the influence of music called Hell's Bells and found music to be a significant factor in mood changes which can ultimately lead to decisions which can in turn relate drugs. So I would have to say I do believe this genre of music influences the masses. Especially teens who are already willing enough to experiment with drugs in the first place. In conclusion I think true hip-hop is dead and this garbage everyone seems to love is striving.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to think that we are not affected to by the lyrics of the music we listen to and that we are making life decisions based upon our own independent values. But that probably is unrealistic. The only other explanation that this cause-effect relationship that you present is actually reversed, where kids listen to music based upon their interests/values. The counterpoint to that, however, is kids who listen to rap music, but do not partake in drug usage, as you said was your situation. Either way, I do think that rap music and the content in rap music makes illegal substances more prevalent in our society and I am often surprised at how blatant the references are.
ReplyDeleteThis post is one of the more recent ones that I can actually somewhat relate to, as rap music does make up a majority of my playlists. But I do not agree with you that rap can be the sole externality of teen drug use in America. I personally think that there are larger, more intense outside sources that cause teen drug use in America.
ReplyDeleteI used to hate rap music; Country was my thing. But over the past few years, I still listen to country, but I also now like Rap music. Not because of the lyrics, but more for the bass line. Rap music and TRAP have the best bass line out there on the street. I like to turn up the bass and chill out.
ReplyDeleteI think you chose a really interesting topic and I really liked the way to connected rap with economics. I disagree with the fact that listening to rap songs makes you take substances, because I know many people who listen and love rap songs and never took substances. But I can also understand your point of view. Of course rap songs can also affect teens to take substances but if they’re that influenced and innocent they’ll probably end up taking by other influences.
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing topic and I'm so glad you took a stand and looked into this very pressing issue with our youth in today's society. I am also a very avid Rap fan however, I have not let this type of music which strongly suggests the use of illegal substances affect my decisions when it comes to using such substances. I accredit that to how my parents raised me and how I represent my community. Yet, some kids are not brought up the way I was and this could also provide key insight as to how music effects their decisions making. Kids going through tougher times with little family support may turn to these relaxing beats and follow in their favorite rappers footsteps for comfort and consolidation. Overall great article!
ReplyDeleteRap has been turned into nothing but having sex and doing drugs. What rap has turned into over the past years has influenced people I know. My brother used to never get into trouble, but as soon as he found out about drugs and 2 chainz and chief keef he has done nothing but getting into trouble and doing drugs and having anger problems. This trash people call rap has changed so much, yet people still love it. Most people think that if you listen to songs all about drugs and sex it makes you automatically cool. Most people that listen to the trashy rap people make today is influenced by their friends. People just like to hear all this trashy music, when there are many rappers out in the world that don't always talk about drugs and sex. Yes the rappers that do talk about drugs and sex do make a lot of money just because people like to hear about stuff that can mess up your life.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great topic choice, something that most of us encounter on a daily basis. I too listen to rap music but I wouldn't say that the illegal substance references effect my decisions at all. Although I would say that that is not the case for others. Some may think that it is cool to do those things because they look up to some of these rappers. In that case, it makes complete sense to consider illegal substances a complementary good to rap music. Thank you for choosing an interesting topic like this, overall it was well written and kept me engaged.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very popular and interesting topic seeing as we are all teenagers here and most of us do listen to rap. I think this topic has been debated for a long time without any real explanation as to whether or not the music is the reason or if something else is. One might say when rock was huge that was the reason for illegal substances to be used, but I think it is something that happens. Teenagers do it for all sorts of reasons and I believe it is unfair to generalize the majority of teens who listen to rap as drug users. While the data might show that rap correlates to drug use, has the researcher investigated underlying factors. Lastly rap is used to pump athletes up, speak feelings (sometimes), and often is listened to because it is catchy not because said person uses drugs.
ReplyDeleteSpot on relations, Kate. I dabble in the rap genre every now and then to get some variation in my musical exposure, and I'm pretty sure every single "Gangsta Rap" song I've heard has A) threatened someone's life. B) mentioned a heavy use of drugs/alcohol/driving-while-inebriated. C) Both A and B. It seems like there's this continuously growing stigma around the genre, and even further, the students who listen to it. I mean, I wouldn't even dare touch drugs or alcohol (underage) at risk of seriously jeopardizing what is hopefully a fruitful future. Unfortunately, you'll find droves of parents who point their finger at the hateful-looking thug wielding a pistol on an album cover and demand it be taken down, but they are *seriously* overlooking the message of many artists' songs. From my experience in the genre, a lot of these songs, if not ALL of them, have some underlying tone about the current state of societal stigmas, and while parents and overly-sensitive individuals find this great bait to bite at, they're ultimately contradicting themselves in their own argument, and that doesn't benefit anyone.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good article on demand and opportunity cost even though it doesn't really pertain to money and the economy. It was very creative, and it made me wonder if the more one listens to rap, then does he or she become more influenced because of it? Also, good job distinguishing rap and "gangster rap" to show the difference between the two of influencing abusive drugs and alcohol.. I didn't know there was a difference. Overall good job!
ReplyDeleteI don't think rap songs affect teens behavior because I grew up listening to country and look where I am now. country and rap are very similar if you think about. Rap talks about girls, drugs and alcohol. Country singer sing about beer and women and most country singers are cokeheads they just don't express it as much.
ReplyDeleteI agree, thanks for commenting.
DeleteKate, I think that you have a very creative and thought-provoking topic. I am not sure that there is any data that could support the statement that listening to rap music increases drug use in youth, but I believe it might have an impact. There are many people that listen to rap, but do not use drugs, and the opposite. However, if a child grew up listening to rap they might be more tempted to use drugs than someone who did not. There will always be outliers. I think that there are many more circumstances that lead to drug use, but music could contribute!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I think this is a racial attack towards the black people, because if you listen to most other genres, they use sex, drugs, and alcohol. Artists, such as; Ke$ha, Katy Perry, and more, use drugs, sex, and alcohol in their lyrics. I think people say black people are getting bigger and they should attack them personally. Like how we have a black president and the most powerful woman in the world is black; Beyonce Knowles-Carter. I agree with Daniel Tomasini and him saying what he said. I thank him for his comment because it's true.
ReplyDeleteA lot of these comments are pure trash and should be taken down and deleted this entire post should be deleted. I hope that a lot of you get whats coming for you this whole thing is wrong you only say this stuff because of racism. I hope that this punches you in the face. Rap is just like every other genre and if you were smart you would know that rap is rap and there is not a difference. There are more than one genre of music that uses sex, drug, and alcohol in them no matter what race you are. Matter of fact, white people began using drugs, sex, and alcohol in there lyrics. Most people actually like those songs, but when a rap song drops all the other races get upset. Are you really that jealous? First, you beat us and enslave us. Then, you boycott us. Then, you judge our music and you've probably have never heard a rap, r&b, or hip hop(which is the other one, not "gangster music" not-so-smart one ) song in your life. It's wrong absolutely! Stop it and grow up.
ReplyDelete