Why is Hip-Hop always getting blamed for the problems in society?

When the whole Don Imus issue occurred, his excuse was that Hip-Hop was to blame with their lyrics. Personally I think that is a freedom of speech. I mean I love hip-hop. When I'm listening to a hip-hop record I don't feel as if I'm being called a ***** or a ho. I think if any they may be referring to those type of women that are actually like that. If you look like a ho and act like one, then aren't you a ho? I think that are the type of women they are referring to in their songs. You notice in hip-hop love songs, they don't refer to women as those terms. They are rapping about how much they appreciate them and love them and stuff like that. However in a club-banger or of that nature they refer to women like that. Basically I don't think hip-hop is to blame for the problems in society. I think it's the media in general that advertise the explicit lyrics to teenagers because we are the main ones that are targeted to go out and by these records.

Why is Hip-Hop always getting blamed for the problems in society?
I've been listening to Rap for as long as I've been alive (18 years) and I've never heard a Rapper call me or anyone else that I know a ho. It's ridiculous; most of the time when Rappers say Ho or Bi*ch they're actually talking about other males.





People need to figure out the real problem (household, morals, values, ect.) instead of placing blame. Most media outlets are one sided when it comes to Rap because they already have this preconceived notion about it. Don Imus is a punk. He's a gown *** man blaming Hip hop for what he said when he doesn't even listen to it. He knew exactly what he was saying.





I can understand why people and the media will jump on Hip Hop, but they fail to realize that major record labels and conglomerates play their part.
Reply:Hip hop isn't the problem. We should take a look at where it starts. It starts at home. It starts in the schools. And it just gets carried over into the lyrics of hip hop. People write about what they know. Or sometimes people fabricate things in order to sell records. I personally do not find those lyrics offensive. They're just lyrics. The only way lyrics like that will ever cease is if people refuse to buy records with such lyrics. That will never happen.
Reply:Hip-Hop music is not the sole problems in society that is true because you do have the right not to listen to it or not buy the artist music. However, Hip-hop and rap should take responsibilities of what image they are putting out their and portraying of black culture. Not every black women wear skimpy clothes and shake our butts and not every black male want to be a thug, get money, or degrade women. It is a double standard because when you listen to music that degrades black women and it is done by a black person then it is acceptable but when a white person says it, then it is a problem. Black women shouldn't be disrespected by a black or white man. Hip-hop and rap music should have higher standards like when it first started out because it you really listen to some rap music now it is degrading and disgusting. No hip-hop music isn't solely to blame but it does play a part on how other people view black culture.
Reply:I agree with what you're saying...





I think internally Hip-Hop has an obligation to itself to "police" or regulate its own culture. You're right, it is a freedom of speech issue, and whether some like it or not, rappers have the right to say what they want to say. However, Hip-Hop should want to raise the standards and the level of creativity and decency in the music. Hip-Hop has some growing up to do but it shouldn't be judged or used as a scapegoat for every problem in society.





I'm waiting for these fools to start blaming Hip-Hop for 9-11!





As far as the media and society as a whole, everybody is caught up in the blame game. The blame game is big business in this society. In this society controversy sells books, music, movies, televison, etc. And the purpose of the blame game is to generate controversy. Plus, it's always easier to hold others responsible for what's wrong with society instead taking some responsibility.
Reply:You are not going to like my answer. I am a proud black woman and I have to say that rap, lyrics, and lifestyle has become a detriment to our race. I thought this well before Don Imus. The big money advertisers exploit the black communities, depicting all this garbage that we should have to show our "blackness." I do not have to have rims or grillz to prove that I am the strong sista that I am. I do not need to be half naked and shaking my butt all over everything to be a sexy woman.





It is not okay for them to say we are b*tches, hos, sl*ts or whatever else to line thier pockets. Our children is hearing this, they are idolizing this music and they are growing up to think we are what their hero called us.





Instead of telling our little ladies to cover up and respect themselves and our young men to respect themselves and the women, they are doing the opposite.





Listening to the music does not make you a ho, but helping to line the pockets of these music companies is no benefit at all to our communities.





Why would I give one red cent to someone so that they can show daily that they have no respect for me and who I am.





In this world, we are going to have to fight stupidity everyday just to achieve the success that we are capable of. We are going to be disrespected at every turn. So, why would support the music and lifestyle that is doing what we have fought against and our ancestors died to protect?





Ban it, or Clean it up!!!
Reply:Because you have a lot of idiots who try to model their lives after rappers supposed thug lives. And you have idiots who think black people are really like the characters in the music videos.
Reply:well becuase it has always been an easy target,





I love my Hip hop, not that stuff you hear on the radio, but real true underground hip hop
Reply:they blamed jazz, then they blamed rock and roll. It all just a master plan for white folks to take rap music over.
Reply:I agree. I HATE when people blame hip-hop. You have to PURCHASE a CD with foul language - don't wanna hear it - DON'T BUY IT. You can't hear that stuff on mainstream radio. But now you can hear successful women being called "nappy headed hoes" LIVE. Wow.
Reply:If hip hop is to blame, so is paramount pictures, 20th Century Fox and all the other major movie studios. Don Imus got fired for spewing UNEDITED hate on the RADIO, it was only a matter of time for him anyway.