Tina Hashemi / Staff reporter
Rap music, or hip hop, was created by African Americans in New York City in the early 1970s. Later in 1980s there were some rap lyrics that were about violence and drugs, and some that were quite pivotal like NWA Straight Outta Compton. Since then, the music genre’s popularity has developed over time and has become one of the most listened to music genres.
Rap music can bring social awareness, and it can focus on community well-being, personal development, and mental health, which are the reasons for it being beneficial for society. For example, in the Black Lives Matter movement, protesters chanted a song called “Alright” by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, and shortly after thing song became the modern Black National Anthem. This song has soundtracked a movement because it touched on many of the issues of the moment, according to Sage Journals.
Rap is a well-known music genre, and its lyrics has an impact on listeners. In society rappers can draw people’s attention to social issues and attract social media support to heated debates. As an example, in the current protest that’s happening in Iran, there are Iranian rappers who are helping lead the movement by releasing songs. They are using their voice, talent, fame, and art to fight the regime and support the people. This act of them made an impact on many protesters, and even scared the government because it helped ignite the protest. As a example, Toomaj Salehi, Iranian rapper, got arrested in 2021 because of releasing songs that went against the Islamic Republic. Later on, he got arrested again for releasing songs about the current ongoing protest in Iran on October 30 and he still hasn’t been released, according to CBC News.
Rap is a significant tool to address society and economic status because it allows people to speak freely about the social issues insociety. As an example, in Iran, where people don’t have a freedom of voice, Iranian rappers have argued how they are against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and their music got liked by many teenagers in and outside the country, because they also agreed to it. What they wanted to say but couldn’t say because the Islamic Republic would’ve arrested them was said and sang by rappers.
Another benefit of rap is that in this generation it can be used as a therapy method according to ScienceDirect article. “Both singing and rapping engagements seem to be appealing treatment approaches for at risk youth and young adults to affect their emotions, to enhance self-esteem, and increase awareness of emotional engagement” said the author, Sylka Uhlig. Younge people find it difficult to verbally express their emotions, and that where rap songs come into play. “It can help with anxiety, self-discovery, and difficulties regulating emotions,” according to Abigail Richards, a specialist at Missouri State University. We can see the example in many Iranian teenagers who listen to rap because it can work as a therapy for them to let the anger and sadness of not being free in their own country out.
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