HIP HOP VS. AMERICA

A controversial debate over the state of Hip-Hop and how it affects America's youth aired on BET September 25Th, 2007. Rappers like Nelly along with other artist argued with Dr. Cornell West, Rev. Al Sharpton and other African American cultural critiques, that Hip-Hop is an "art form". But, many politicians believe Hip-Hop is poisoning the youth of America, promoting acts of violence and sexually behavior. Rappers like T.I., stated that "Hip-Hop is of form of expression and I'm gonna rap about what I see. If I see violence, then that's what my songs gon' be about". Politicians feel there is a need to silence and band certain Hip-Hop songs and videos to keep the violence out of this country.


I particularly disagree with the statement that Hip-Hop induces acts of violence and sex. I disagree because there are many other forms of music and media that shows these themes, such as movies and T.V. shows. This was also another argument made by artist Nelly. I believe that politicians choose to pick on Hip-Hop because a majority of it's listeners and participants in the art form are African-American or Latin-American.

Gun violence in particular is the most common act of violence believed to be caused by Hip-Hop songs. Also, gang violence which has been around decades before the birth of the art form, is thought to be caused by rappers like 50 Cent, Fat Joe, etc. Many times in the past politicians have failed at trying to boycott certain rap albums like, 2Pac and 2LiveCrew. I think if politicians feel there is a need to stop certain Hip-Hop artist then artists from other genres should be banned as well.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/393422/hiphop_vs_america.html

Jamaican "Politricks"

Robert Nesta Marley also Known as Bob "Tuff Gong" Marley, like many other artist, has inspired the people of his country to rise above during times of oppression and impoverishment. Much of this influenced his music as well as "political discontent with the government and it's policies". Much of Marley's work influenced the people of Jamaica to rise up and fight for their rights. During the early 60's Jamaica had just become independent, yet there was still economic impoverishment and in equality. Bob Marley and the Wailers, his reggae group, used music as a way to communicate the political strangle hold on Jamaica. Songs like "Get up, stand up", tell people to rise above oppression and what the "Tuff Gong" calls "politricks", the belief in which the government tricks it's people to power.

He had a very "undeniable influence on the outcome of elections" in Jamaica. So much that when he performed at the, non-political, Smile Jamaica Concert, followed by an announcement of a national election by Prime Minister Manley. This made Marley look like an endorsement for Manley. Manley's opponent, Edward Seaga immediately took action and had death threats sent directly at Marley. Two days before a planned festival that Marley was to perform in, several gunmen ambushed Marley with automatic gun fire. Marley was wounded, as well as his wife, Rita Marley, who survived a gunshot to the head. Marley still played the festival and went into to exile for 14 months. About a year later, at the One Love Peace Concert, Marley arranged the two politicians to set aside their differences and shake hands. This created a "cease fire era" between the two politicians.

http://www.hermosarecords.com/marley/politics.html

http://www.rasta-man-vibration.com/jamaican-politics.html

VOTE OR DIE!!!

A campaign launched in 2004 by actor/businessman/producer/designer Sean "Diddy" Combs supported by his non-profit organization "Citizen Change", is a new movement which aims at a goal that many politicians have always failed in the past. It's goal is to get young people to use their right to vote and make a change. This new movement uses music and fashion to reach to America's youth. Many celebrities such as, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Sean "Jay-Z" Carter, Paris Hilton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mya, Gwen Stefani, Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams, Oprah, Mariah Carey, Terry "Hulk" Hogan, Nick Cannon, Xzibit, Nichole Ritchie, Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Trina, Hilary Duff, & many more. Most of these celebrities are role models for a majority of America's youth.

I think this is a good method to get the youth of America to vote. I feel this because if many young males between the ages of 18 to 21 see their favorite artsist like Jay-Z or Pharrell sporting the "Vote Or Die" t-shirt, this may inspire them to get out and vote. Also, artist like Alicia Keys or Hilary Duff will inspire many young women to vote and young girls who will be coming of age to vote in future elections.

http://www.frequencymagazine.com/music/headlines/voteordie.shtml

MOSH!!!

Much like John Lennon rapper Eminem has also retaliated against the president of the United States during his re-election. "Mosh" which is the title of his song released in 2004 which bashes George W. Bush and uses explicit lyrics like "Stomp, push, shove, mosh/F*ck Bush/Until they bring our troops home". The music video also denounces Bush and takes aim at the hypocrisy and lies of the Bush administration. The music video also goes against the war in Iraq and influences young America to get out there and vote. Similar to John Lennon during the peace movment, the U.S. secret service put eminem under investigation after the song was released. Eminem was also robbed of his right to vote during the re-election, but he contributed to a new movement influenced by many other artist like himself, to get young voters into the polls.

Like Nixon and Lennon, the president still won the re-election, but eminem's music has inspired a change in the future of America. Many Young American's are now more involved in politicts and are getting prepared for the new presidential election in 2008. I think it is very important that artist such as Eminem and John Lennon use their music reach out to America. I also think it is un-fair that eminem was robbed of his voting rights. This shows how far an American President will go to make sure they keep their power, no matter what the people want.

Nixon VS. John Lennon

The Documentary "The U.S vs. John Lennon", is a great example how music can affect politics. The documentary tells the story of how, Lennon, an anti-war activist faces deportation, which was part of president Nixon's campaign to win over the people. One effects of Lennons' music was on a poet and anti-war activist named John Sinclaire, who was imprisoned for ten years for selling marijana to two undercover police men. Lennon performed a song at the "Free Sinclaire Concert" entitle"John Sinclaire". There were about 20, 000 people in attendence at the rally in 1971, Ann Abor, Michigan. There were also F.B.I in attendence spying on Lennon who kept him under surveillance, under the orders of President Nixon. 3 days after the rally the state of Michigan released John Sinclaire from prison. There was also information discovered by the F.B.I that Lennon would be joining a tour which aimed to get young people to get involved in politics. Simultaneously Nixon was running for a re-election in 1972 and found it would be in his favor to "silence Lennon" so that there wouldn't be much odds against him. Lennons' goal was to beat Nixon who was president during the United States involvment in the Vietnam War, which cost the lives of many American soldiers. Nixon would attempt to stop Lennon by having him deported from the U.S. Nixon argued that Lennons' misdemeanour in 1968 for possesion of marijuana made him ineligible for admission to the U.S. The immigration and Naturalization Services began deportation proceedings against Lennon which forced him to spend the next 4 years in deportation hearings. Also Lennon was kept under close surveillance by the F.B.I for 12 months to keep watch of his political activities. In November Nixon was re-elected and in 1973 of March Lennon was given 60 days to leave the U.S. Lennon responded by holding a press conference in NYC announcing the formation of a conceptual state of "Nutopia", which was a place of "No land, boundaries, passports, only people. In 1975 the order of deportation was overturned. Lennon was killed 5 years later.

The reason I chose this topic was to show how big of an impact music would have on politics. Nixon ordered the F.B.I to spy on Lennon was because he was afraid of what kind of impact music would have on politics. Nixon ordered the F.B.I to spy on Lennon because he was afraid of what ind of impact Lennon would have on his re-election. Being a former Beatles' member, who were superstars in the eyes of young America, gave him enough recognition and power to change the political history of America. This could also have helped Lennon obtain his goal of world wide peace and end war, which was not in Nixons' favor. Basically if it wasn't for John Lennon being an international superstar and musician he would have not had such an impact on American politics in his time. He also helped open the eyes and change the views of many americans. Although he did not accomplish his main goals in defeating Nixon, he helped inspire future musicians to use their fame and stardom to thier advantage to stop war hungry politicians.

The Politics of Music

I am a student and this is my goverment project on the politics of music, which I chose to do because I really enjoy all types of music.