[MiC]

I must say when I look at rap I look at black youths especially where im from New Jersey, East Orange to be exact. I look at rap as something which can do alot more to help the ailing situation of a youth whom are growing up listening to this music and being utterly brainwashed. And to me it's like I can see the positives I could name many positives rap music does, but on the other note I think negatives simply out weigh them.

And although I know we can wish that all parents had a tight grip on their kids and that the kids should just simply reflect what is pushed on em based on their parents. But more and more our society is dimming to the point where mothers haven't matured yet, fathers are trying to live out a "gangsta rap album". I mean the influence rap has, to me has attributed enourmously to the live for now attitude.

And that right there is my only problem with it. I mean im the type who listens to all the music but im not going to imitate or want to live up to those expectations as far as copin this and that and this or that.

Who are parents kids imitating when they shop for clothes for example? Im tryin to make the point that the influence is bad because its actually promoting a way of living which is irresponsible.

All other music to me progresses or at least has positivety in the mainstream to counter weight the negative messages where raps?

We can hear a rock group scream about all sorts of weird pyscho things but then you can hear an Ozzy Osbourne with a song about going home his love.

It's hard for me to illustrate what I mean fully cause I have never really talked this much about it but I know theres a bad connection that rap can cause. But truthfully I respect your opinion but I just can't place full blame on parents because as society falls down the parent's role gets harder and harder so theres gotta be some relief.

But I really like we're your comin from cause like in a society where it was stable I could see no problem with rap I could say oh they're just being crazy doing images. But its a different perpective for me when actually the man most people listen to and want to be like got shot 9 times and his message is im the baddest non law abiding person you ever met. Now kids want to be that. To me ignorence being drilled into a kids head during development can cause long term something. Whether that something is neg or pos depends true.

Like you say your not going to sell your soul to do what some of these rappers do. But really I ask myself you know Jayz has done a hell of alot in his career. When he said the line "if skill sold truth be told..i'd rhyme like talib kweli and common sense"

However it really went lol, but could he have done a better service to people in general had he not dumbed down but challenge us to get to his level?

I read a Martin Luther King essay he wrote called " letter from a prison birminghan prison" and in that speech he uses alot of terms and words that are incredible. He could have chosen to say it one way to make it simpler but to me here was a man that challenged you to advance to get the message.

Thats the problem with music its being used to get money and there is no message. But the message if you do get one is negative. I mean look at the singles look at all the crunk music out what does this tell youths about women? How does this shape their view? I mean heres grown men saying these are hoes and etc.

I guess im askin a bit much from rap music or im putting to much emphasis on it. But I must say I speak on it as much as I do for two reasons I love rap music and im the ghetto so I actually see it first hand.

So it's like I understand why D-Block is loved in the hood and looked at as average other places. And why Biggie and 2 pac verses are more known that religious verses.