Rap dilema

[happy_Alex]

Ok, here's a problem a friend of mine has. He's a teacher at a secondary (high) school and a rap band has been booked for an end of term concert.

He's not happy about this, for the following reasons:

1. He feels that Rap is identified, especially with youngsters as glorifiying gun crime, gangsters and mysogony, and even though that particular act may not contain that particular material , he is concerned that the overall values of the genre are incompatible with the values of a school.

2. In the UK boys of an afro-carribean origin average underperform when compared to all other ethnic groups. He feels that the concert will influence the expectations both of that group within the school, and also the expectations of other students and staff.

Should he express his concerns to the senior staff to try and get the act changed?

 

[Till]

Not all rap deals with the topics you mention. So the teacher should just check out the band and see what kind of rap they play.

Why was a rap band booked in the first place? Did the students demand it? Why this particular band?

 

[GenMarshall]

Rap is just crappy music which glorifies the ganster life

 

[nonconformist]

I think you're rather oversimplifying, and succombing to stereotyopes.

If this rap band is one that doesn't glorify guns, cash, and "b*tches", then what's the problem?

As for the second statement, it's a non issue.
Are you thinkng by having black people in school rapping, the students will suddenly think they don't have to work?

 

[Till]

Rap is just crappy music which glorifies the ganster life

Does it really? None of my Rap tracks seem to do that, but i'll take your word as an expert on it.

 

[warpus]

1. He feels that Rap is identified, especially with youngsters as glorifiying gun crime, gangsters and mysogony, and even though that particular act may not contain that particular material , he is concerned that the overall values of the genre are incompatible with the values of a school.

Instead of focusing on the genre - focus on the artist in question. What is the band that is coming to play going to be rapping about? If their songs are indeed about topics that are not compatible with the values of the school - then by all means, your friend should speak up.

But if they're 100% compatible - what is the problem?

Should country music be banned from his school simply because the genre's "hick" values are not compatible with the values of the school?

 

[Tycoon101]

The only rap I have heard makes me call it:

Rap is crap with a silent 'C'

Perhaps it's a good band, but I can't stand rap AT ALL!

 

[sysyphus]

Generally I don't like rap, but when I hear it I keep thinking I'll soon hear something I really like but it never comes.

Agreed that he should just check out what the band's message is and if it's not a violent message then let it go ahead, trying to stop it without a good reason would only put distance between the system and the kids who identify with it.

That said, there are hip-hop artists who work to bring very positive messages intot their work, it's just that they tend not to be commercially viable and therefore rarely heard. So if it is a group like that then the teacher should insist they play.

 

[The Last Conformist]

While I dislike rap qua music, if the kids like rap, surely subjecting them to a rap band espousing positive values ought be a good thing, especially if most rap espouses negative ones?

 

[BCLG100]

whats with all the 'friend' problems recently??

 

[History_Buff]

The solution is easy. Just hire Chris Parnell and Andy Samberg:

http://www.nbc.com/Video/videos/snl_1432_narnia.shtml
http://www.nbc.com/Video/videos/snl_1439_natalieraps.shtml

 

[mrtn]

if the kids like rap, surely subjecting them to a rap band espousing positive values ought be a good thing, especially if most rap espouses negative ones?

That's my view too.

whats with all the 'friend' problems recently??

I have a friend who wonders that too...

 

[ComradeDavo]

I echo the sentiment that it entirely depends on the band. Rap is so unfairly stereotyped.

 

[superisis]

Rap is just crappy music which glorifies the ganster life

I think you are referring to a rap sub-genre called gansta rap.

The solution is easy. Just hire Chris Parnell and Andy Samberg:

How is their message a good one? They advoce sneaking in food into the cinema. Also they glorify the culture of fast food and junk food. Not the type of messages I would have my kids subjected to.

 

[Che Guava]

Rap is just crappy music which glorifies the ganster life

I know! Just look at these shady characters....!

outkast

Arika bambaataa

 

[Abaddon]

Bubba Sparxxx is awesome rapper - but talks about "real" life, not bangin' ho's and pistol wippin etc.