Violence in the Streets: Hip-Hop to Blame?

It's a story told a thousand times, isn’t it? Tragedy strikes the United States regarding the violence of any kind, and people decide to look at the media as the source of the violence. Need I speak on video games and shootings? Another media source that is often portrayed as the villain is Hip-Hop. The proof of which is Texas Rep Ronny Jackson “I think about the horrible stuff that they hear when they listen to rap music, the video games that they watch … with all of this horrible violence.” This quote was taken after the tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that took the life of twenty-one, innocent people. 

However, to put the blame on Hip-Hop for the violence is something that I personally consider to be asinine. 

I will be clear that by my writing this article I am taking a firm position on the subject. I do not fear the repercussions. 

To clarify the situation, the theory in America right now is that music - or the media - is influencing the youth to commit acts of violence. This is what is being said of 21 Savage, who, at the time of writing, is being lambasted on the internet for his violent lyrics, claiming that they incite violence. His response is that he gives back to the community and that what he portrays is entertainment. 

As I spoke with the Playmaker, he presented an idea that made sense: ‘’if we were all so influenced by music, I would be one of the greatest crack dealers the world has ever seen! I’d have put Escobar to shame.’ That reflection is poignant. Those who listened to Jay-Z for their entire lives, would, by that same aforementioned theory, be on the corners. But that isn’t the reality. In fact, one could say that Jay Z’s later works have done more to push the idea of black love and self-empowerment. 

But it leads us to an interesting dichotomy, don’t you think? In a game infatuated with the idea of ‘keeping it real’ or ‘100’, we can’t blame the rapper for what they say and the influence that they may or may not have in the world. While it may seem psychotic to you, it’s as plain as day to many others. To blame Hip-Hop music is to disregard a lot of socioeconomic elements that lead to violence. 

Are we to forget that 21 Savage is a product of an environment of violence himself? How are we to blame him for perpetuating the violence that he saw himself, that created the music he loves, and that made him successful? To blame 21 Savage doesn’t put the blame on what created the society in which violence is prevalent: lack of mental health services, the industrial prison system, lack of gun reforms, and social services. 

Those who claim that rappers and Hip-Hop artists are meant to be role models, know that they didn’t ask for that responsibility. It is not up to them to be the paragons of truth and happiness in the world; they are closer to journalists, as they repeal the struggles of the modern inner city and youth movement. 

The real role models, before teachers, musicians, and artists, are the parents and politicians. The parents need to raise their kids. The politicians need to make the changes necessary in society, whether on the local, state, or federal level, to allow for the betterment of the next generation. It’s on them to make the streets safe. 

Therefore, please tell these politicians to stop blaming rappers for not doing what they’re elected to do. 

Should Hip-Hop artists be on the hook for some of the violence in the streets today? Do you believe that Ryan “The RatedR” Oscar is right? Where do you stand and why? Sound off in the comments below, follow on Instagram at @TheRated_RN2 for more unfiltered comments on rap, the community, and music in general.