Controversy Surrounding Hip-Hop Artists And Promotion Of Drug Use In The United States Essay Samples

Introduction

Cocaine has been linked to many hip-hop musicians (Levitt and Hendrickson 1-5). Moreover, reporters report musicians confessing to using drugs. Other studies even state that hip-hop is commonly funded by drug. Statistically speaking, a number of United States rappers are linked to using cocaine. These rappers are Lil Wayne, Snoop Doggy, Eminem, and Kid Cudi. Kid Cudi, one of the biggest rappers in United States, recently revealed his use of cocaine. Cudi states that he had failed to attend several shows because of cocaine use (Concepcion, 1-3).
Levitt and Hendrickson (1-5), show how drug abuse affected Storch Scott, who was highly ranked in the 90s. Levitt and Hendrickson state that drug abuse affected Storch to the point of bankruptcy. Storch reveals that he used drug to a point he was taken to the rehabilitation (Levitt and Hendrickson 1-4). Rick Ross, on the other hand, talks about how cocaine use among rappers and artist is as a result of CIA using rappers to market the drugs (Daniels 1-4). Research furthers states that a large number of hip-hop rappers use drugs and sing about certain drugs. Several artist and reporters have investigated on the claim and came up with their findings.

Thesis Statement

It is critical to inquire whether there is an increased use of cocaine among hip-hop artists. The study aims at investigating the controversy surrounding Hip-hop artists and promotion of drug use in United States. The study presents an overview of articles that have discussed the topic. The study examines controversies of hip-hop public figures and their very own histories of drug use. The study describes representation of drug use by the hip-hop performers in their music.

Cocaine Use among Hip Hop Artist

Drug abuse has a close relationship with Hip-hop. In the 80s, a small group known as NWA, commonly known as the seminal acts of the gangsta rap and west coast hip-hop subgenres, contributed to extensive promotion of the drug use nowadays. Hip-hop entered United States airwaves through money accumulated from drug abuse. One of the drug dealers used money acquired from drug sale to promote rap in United States. Using drug money, Eazy-E was able to erase rap from the street into the living rooms of most Americans. Without a radio play of any sort, hip-hop music was able to reach United States living rooms. The music spread among the youth sporadically. Eazy-E was able to make a lot of money both from rap and drug abuse. Research shows that gangsta rap brought about some of the biggest rappers in United States. The rappers, on the other hand, promoted drug use (Watkins 1-8; Levitt and Hendrickson 1-5).
According to the research, the use of drugs to fund rappers has not changed. Reports state that Kareem Burke, who is known to produce Jay-Z was arrested after being found with a large amount of marijuana at the back of his car. His arrest showed that nothing had changed since the time of Burke; drug is still used to fund rap music by supplying to the performers of the stimulants by their producers. Many musicians linked themselves to drug dealers or criminal activities. Some of the artists have been arrested for engaging in drug abuse. Association of drug abuse and rappers has created a society where drugs are taken as the way to success. The songs and lifestyle of hip-hop rappers illustrate drug abuse as a common thing among rappers. Their behavior has influenced young people in United States thus promoting the spread of drugs (Watkins 1-8).
According to a report written by Rob Markman, hip-hop and drug abuse have had a relationship for a long time. The study stated that since 1980’s rap has flourished with the increase of crack. According to the report, hip-hop has been promoting drug abuse since 1980’s. In 1983, Melle Mel sang a song entitled White Lanes. The song was about the use of cocaine. In the 1990’s Dr. Dre poured fuel on the flames, promoting the use of marijuana. Dr. Dre promoted the use of marijuana among artists and youth in United States (Markman 1).
Markman states that in the 1990’s and 2000 musicians introduced the use of syrup in drinks such as sprite. The use of syrup and sprite was later associated with famous musicians such as Lil Wayne and Dj Screw. In 2012, “Molly” now became the new drug in town. The report by Markman explains how the drug has become common among young rappers. Some rappers are even singing about the drug. Several reports by different reporters also disclose Molly as the latest drugs being promoted by hip-hop rappers (7-8; Markman 1).
According to rapper Kendrick Lamar, artists promote the use of drugs. Lamar states that it was not cool for artist to use the drug Molly in their songs for it promoted the use of cocaine and Molly. Lamar explains that there are young rappers who imitate them. Therefore, if they use drugs, their followers will also use it. Lamar reveals clearly that hip-hop artist promote the use of drugs among rappers. Tardio, also has done a study showing the number of artists who mentions drugs in their songs. Project knew, which is an organization that monitors trend of drug abuse, has revealed statistics showing mention of the name drugs in their songs. According to project known, three 6 mafia is rated as the group with the largest number of the name weed in their songs. They are followed by Analyst, the Roots, and Afroman. The same statistics reveal that Lil B commonly mentions cocaine, codeine and MDMA in his songs. The research further reveals that the songs are used to promote the use of a drug among artists and youths in United States (Tardio 1-5). Primack et al. did a study as well to examine content of most hip-hop music. Primack and his colleagues did a study to show the number of times tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs were mentioned in hip-hop music. In the study, Primack et al. did an analysis of 279 songs that were sung in 2005. The songs were categorized into groups. Two coders were used to analyze the information and come up with findings relating to the study. The study revealed that the youth are exposed to a large portion of drug content through rap music. Since the youth love music, they listen a lot to it. What they listen to impacts them positively or negatively. The exposure music to young men varied with the kind. The study also stated that drug abuse depicted by most music is triggered by peer pressure and acceptance. The research discloses that the effect of music on human being behavior was as old as the time of William Shakespeare. However, it is currently that the influence of music on the society is great (Primack 169-175).
In addition, the research shows that there is enough evidence to show that music influences youths. Drug abuse among the youth is quickly spreading through hip-hop music. According to social learning model, youth not only learn from direct involvement but also from indirect methods like movies and music. Though direct methods have influence, indirect methods have a greater impact (Primack 169-175).
The study further reveals that individuals who are influenced to use drugs by rap music have a high chance of using the drugs when opportunities present themselves. The study reveals that music connects well with young adults. Music influences their characters, behavior, and identity; prior researchers agree with the study. The researchers show that music has increased the number of young people using drugs (Primack 169-175). The study shows that music can be used to advance drug abuse in the society.
Rick Ross also gives evidence showing that hip-hop has been used to spread the use of drugs in United States. Rick Ross states that rappers are used by the Central Intelligence Agency to promote the use of cocaine. Rick Ross discloses that a number of rappers are being used by the Central Intelligence Agency to promote drugs among the youth in United States. The musician further reveals that United States did not go to war with Taliban because they violated rules but because they interfered with the agencies market on drugs. The rapper further states that the drugs, promoted by rappers, are used to fund some of the operations undertaken by the agency. Therefore, the study clearly shows that hip-hop rappers promote drugs. Even a film has been made to show how Central intelligence agency uses drug abuse to fund its operation. The film is about an investigative researcher who carried out a study on how CIA promote drug abuse in United States using hip hop rappers (Krasny 1-5).
According to research done by one of the hip-hop news analysts, hip-hop has an influence on the use of crack cocaine. The article gives the origin of the drug cocaine and rap. The study explains that two singers who began a rap were drug peddlers. The two peddlers introduced rap and connected it with drugs. The article states that drug abuse among musicians and youths in United States began with rap. The article goes ahead to give music and rappers that sing about drugs. The study presents evidence showing that hip-hop music has assisted to spread the use of drugs. Rappers who are not well known peddle drugs in order to fund their music. Since the history shows that rap came into the limelight through funding, then musicians should use drugs to fund their music (Minority News, 2015).

Conclusion

Several researchers state that many hip-hop rappers in United States use drugs. According to studies carried out by different organizations, a large number of musicians sing about certain drugs. Scientific research has even been carried out to determine the content that is in United States music. Primack et al. did a study to show content of most hip-hop music. Primack and his colleagues did a study to show the number of times tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs were mentioned in hip-hop music. In the study, Primack et al. did an analysis of 279 songs that were sung in 2005. Two coders were used to analyze the information and come up with findings relating to the study. The study revealed that the youth are exposed to a large portion of drug content through rap music. The research ended up concluding that a large majority of United States hip-hop music has drug substances in it.
Moreover, reporters report musicians confessing to using drugs. Other studies even state that hip-hop is commonly funded by drugs. Rick Ross, on the other hand, disclose that Central intelligence agency use rappers to promote drug abuse among musicians and young people. Rick Ross reveals that the notion that you must peddler or use drugs in order to become famous is a lie. He states that one can also succeed by singing and not peddling drugs. Moviemakers are also creating a film to show the relationship between hip-hop music and drug abuse. Basing on the research and information acquired from the study, it can be concluded that rap plays a role in the promotion of drug abuse in America. Hip-hop has an influence on the use of crack cocaine and other drugs.
In order to evade such circumstances, rappers should be encouraged to desist from using drugs, and drug names in their songs and behaviors. Moreover, the youth in America follow what is said by public figures. Therefore, hip-hop rappers should depict good behaviors. They should show good behavior to the youth.

Works Cited:

Concepcion, Mariel. Kid Cudi Opens Up About Cocaine Use, Failed Lady Gaga Tour, 17 Sep. 2010.Web. 3 Mar. 2015.<http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/956250/kid-cudi-opens-up-about-cocaine-use-failed-lady-gaga-tour>
Krasny, Michael. New Film Recounts Controversial Reporting on CIA, Crack Cocaine, 17. Sep. 2014. Web. 3 Mar. 2015.<http://www.kqed.org/a/forum/R201409171000>
Levitt, Danielle and Matt, Hendrickson. Scott Storch, 2014. Web. 3 Mar. 2015. <http://www.details.com/culture-trends/men-of-the-moment/200909/hip-hop-producer-scott-storch-and-his-battle-with-cocaine>
Markman, Rob. Molly, Hip-Hop’s Latest Drug Trend: Trinidad James, Others Weigh In, 12 Nov. 2012. Web. 3 Mar. 2015. <http://www.mtv.com/news/1698675/trinidad-james-molly-drug-hip-hop/>
Minority News. How Crack Cocaine Transformed Hip-Hop, 2 Mar. 2015. Web. 3 Mar. 2015. <http://www.blackradionetwork.com/how_crack_cocaine_transformed_hip_hop>
Primack, Brain A. et al. "Content Analysis of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs in Popular Music."Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine, 162.2 (2008): 169-175. Print
Tardio, Andres. "Number Of Rap Songs Mentioning Drugs" Chart Released By Project Know, 12 May. 2014. Web. 3 Mar. 2015.<http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.28716/title.-number-of-rap-songs-mentioning-drugs-chart-released-by-project-know>
Watkins, Boyce. Why hip-hop culture is hooked on drugs, 20 Oct. 2010. Web. 3 Mar.
2015.<http://thegrio.com/2010/10/20/why-hip-hop-culture-is-hooked-on-drugs/>