Rap and Hip Hop Music

Note: Please look through resources very carefully. This is a controversial issue so some sources may have bias.Check carefully for the expertise or background of the writer or contributor.

This pathfinder was made at student request, specifically for articles related to negative aspects of rap music.

Online Resources

Not all article links may work; if you experience problems with a link, please contact the library for assistance.

Gansta Rap

  1. Gangsta Rap – What Is Gangsta Rap
  2. All Music:
  3. Gangs and Gang Crime (2008) Michael Newton(Google books limited view)
  4. Gangsters Encyclopedia page 59, (2007) Michael Newton(Google books limited view)
  5. Encyclopedia of gangs page 44, Louis Kontos, David Brotherton(Google books limited view)
  6. The Killing of Tupac Shakur Cathy Scott(Google books limited view)
  7. Ice T Interview
  8. Ritchie, Ryan (2007-02-28). "Eazy to be hard". Press Telegram (Los Angeles Newspaper group). Retrieved 2008-01-26.
  9. Deflem, Mathieu (1993). Rap, Rock, and Censorship: Popular Culture and the Technologies of Justice.. Retrieved 2012-10-06.
  10. Rude Boys, Amos Barshad, New York magazine 2011 5, retr 2012 Oct
  11. Lewis, Angela. On Pop: Life & Style. The Independent. Retrieved on 2009-08-03.
  12. Keepin' It Unreal — by The Village Voice

Misogyny, Homophobia and Consumerism in Hip Hop Culture

  1. Generation M: Misogyny in Media & Culture, documentary by Thomas Keith
  2. Hip Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes, documentary by Byron Hurt
  3. What hip-hop has done to Black women by Johnnetta B. Cole
  4. Sexism, Hip-Hop and Misogyny at Talk of the Nation
  5. Adams, Terri M. and Douglas B. Fuller (2006). "The Words Have Changed but the Ideology Remains the Same: Misogynistic Lyrics in Rap Music". Journal of Black Studies36 (6): 938-957. doi:10.1177/0021934704274072.
  6. Oware, Matthew (2011). "Brotherly Love: Homosociality and Black Masculinity in Gangsta Rap Music". Journal of African American Studies15 (1): 22-39. doi:10.1007/s12111-010-9123-4.
  7. Cheney, Charlise L. Brothers Gonna Work It Out: Sexual Politics in the Golden Age of Rap Nationalism. New York: New York University Press, 2005, p. 5, p. 124, ISBN 978-0-8147-1612-0.
  8. Rebollo-Gil, Guillermo; Moras, Amanda (2012). "Black Women and Black Men in Hip Hop Music: Misogyny, Violence and the Negotiation of (White-Owned) Space". The Journal of Popular Culture45 (1): 118–132. doi:10.1111/j.1540-5931.2011.00898.x.
  9. Watts, Eric K. (1997). "An Exploration of Spectacular Consumption: Gangsta Rap as Cultural Commodity." Communication Studies48 (1): 42–58. doi:10.1080/10510979709368490
  10. Pareles, John (October 07, 1990). "POP VIEW; Gangster Rap: Life and Music in the Combat Zone". The New York Times, accessed September 25, 2011.
  11. Dyson, Michael Eric. Know What I Mean?: Reflections on Hip-Hop. New York: Basic Civitas Books, 2007, p. 22, ISBN 978-0-465-01716-4.(not available online but through LAPL)
  12. Chang, Jeff; Zirin, David (April 29, 2007). "Not all hip-hop is misogynistic, violent". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  13. hooks, bell (February 1994). "Sexism and misogyny: Who takes the rap? Misogyny, gangsta rap, and piano", Z Magazine, accessed October 02, 2011.
  14. Perry, Imani (2004). Prophets of the hood: politics and poetics in hip hop. Durham: Duke University Press. p. 175. ISBN978-0-8223-3435-4.
  15. Johnson, Leola (1996). "Rap, Misogyny and Racism". Radical America26 (3): 7–19.
  16. Katz, Jackson (June 5, 2009). Eminem, Misogyny, and the Sounds of Silence. The Huffington Post, accessed September 27, 2011.
  17. Grossmann-Heinze, Dahlia (September 12, 2011)."Tyler, the Creator Reignites Debate About Misogyny in Music". Campus Progress, accessed September 27, 2011.
  18. Maun, Kristin. "The Black Youth Project makes young people's voices heard". Chicago Foundation for Women, accessed September 25, 2011.
  19. Armstrong, Edward G. (2001). "Gangsta Misogyny: A Content Analysis of the Portrayals of Violence against Women in Rap Music, 1987-1993". Journal of Criminal Justice and Popular Culture, 8 (2): 96-126.
  20. Conrad, Kate, Travis Dixon, and Yuanyuan Zhang (2009). "Controversial Rap Themes, Gender Portrayals and Skin Tone Distortion: A Content Analysis of Rap Music Videos". Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media53 (1): 134–156. doi:10.1080/08838150802643795.
  21. Wester, Stephen R., Cynthia L. Crown, Gerald L. Quatman and Martin Heesacker (1997). "The Influence of Sexually Violent Rap Music on Attitudes of Men with Little Prior Exposure." Psychology of Women Quarterly21 (4): 497-508. doi:10.1111/j.1471-6402.1997.tb00127.x
  22. Johnson, James D., Mike S. Adams, Leslie Ashburn and William Reed (1995). "Differential gender effects of exposure to rap music on African American adolescents' acceptance of teen dating violence". Sex Roles33 (7-8): 597-605, doi:10.1007/BF01544683
  23. Barongan, Christy and Gordon C. Nayagama Hall (1995). "The Influence Of Misogynous Rap Music On Sexual Aggression Against Women". Psychology of Women Quarterly19 (2): 195-207. doi:10.1111/j.1471-6402.1995.tb00287.x
  24. Cobb, Michael D.; Boettcher III, William A. (2007). "Ambivalent Sexism and Misogynistic Rap Music: Does Exposure to Eminem Increase Sexism?" Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 37 (12): 3025–3042. doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2007.00292.x.
  25. Rudman, Laurie A.; Lee, Matthew R. (2002). "Implicit and Explicit Consequences of Exposure to Violent and Misogynous Rap Music". Group Processes & Intergroup Relations5 (2): 133-150. doi:10.1177/1368430202005002541.
  26. Cole, Johnnetta B.; Guy-Sheftall, Berverly (2003). Gender talk: the struggle for women's equality in African American communities. New York: Ballantine Books. p. 186.
  27. Martino, Steven C. et al. (2006). "Exposure to degrading versus non-degrading music lyrics and sexual behavior among youth". Pediatrics118 (2): 430–441. doi:10.1542/peds.2006-0131
  28. Gourdine, Ruby M.; Lemmons, Brianna P. (2011). "Perceptions of Misogyny in Hip Hop and Rap: What Do the Youths Think?".Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment21 (1): 57–72. doi:10.1080/10911359.2011.533576.
  29. Arce, Rose (March 04, 2005). "Hip-hop portrayal of women protested". CNN, accessed October 03, 2011.
  30. Weisstuch, Lisa (January 12, 2005). "Sexism in rap sparks black magazine to say, 'Enough!'". The Christian Science Monitor, accessed October 03, 2011.
  31. "From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and Degrading Images". United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce, accessed on October 05, 2011.
  32. Emerson, Rana (2002). "Where my girls at? Negotiating black womanhood in music videos". Gender and Society16 (1): 115-35. doi:10.1177/0891243202016001007
  33. Aubrey, Jennifer Stevens; Frisby, Cynthia M. (2011). "Sexual Objectification in Music Videos: A Content Analysis Comparing Gender and Genre". Mass Communication and Society14 (4): 475–501. doi:10.1080/15205436.2010.513468.

Academic Search Premiere Articles

How to open articles. Click on the BLUE link under the citation information for each article. Articles are already in MLA format. Then enter the username and password for the article database

  1. Conrad, Kate, Travis L. Dixon, and Yuanyuan Zhang. "Controversial Rap Themes, Gender Portrayals And Skin Tone Distortion: A Content Analysis Of Rap Music Videos." Journal Of Broadcasting & Electronic Media 53.1 (2009): 134-156. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  2. Oware, Matthew. "Brotherly Love: HomosocialityAnd Black Masculinity In Gangsta Rap Music." Journal Of African American Studies 15.1 (2011): 22-39. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  3. Christian, Margena A. "Parental Advisory: The History Of N.W.A." Ebony 66.8 (2011): 94-99. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  4. Lavery, Jane Elizabeth. "Angie Martinez: A Chameleon Artist." Journal Of Iberian & Latin American Studies 15.2/3 (2009): 153-166. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  5. O'Hanlon, Leslie Harris. "Dangerous Tunes?." Current Health 2 32.5 (2006): 21. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  6. Morgan, Joan. "McLyte." Essence (Time Inc.) 36.2 (2005): 192. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  7. Greene, Stanley. "Russell Simmons--The Godfather Takes A Stand." Ebony 62.9 (2007): 78-79. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  8. Rodrick, Stephen. "Hip-Hop Flop." New Republic 208.6 (1993): 17-18. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  9. Amber, Jeannine. "Dirty Dancing." Essence (Time Inc.) 35.11 (2005): 162-203. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  10. Williams, Armstrong. "The power of our words." New York Amsterdam News 30 Nov. 2006: 13. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  11. Mahiri, Jabari, and Erin Conner. "Black Youth Violence Has A Bad Rap." Journal Of Social Issues 59.1 (2003): 121-140. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  12. Holmes, Michelle. "Emcee Logic." New Internationalist 456 (2012): 46. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  13. Iwamoto, Derek K., John Creswell, and Leon Caldwell. "Feeling The Beat: The Meaning Of Rap Music For Ethnically Diverse Midwestern College Students--A Phenomenological Study." Adolescence 42.166 (2007): 337-351. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  14. Burt-Murray, Angela. "Must Be the Music." Essence (Time Inc.) Mar. 2008: 16. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  15. Hira, Nadira A. "Is Hip-Hop Already History?." Smithsonian 37.2 (2006): 31-32. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  16. Smith, Shawnee. "Rap Acts Return To Basics." Billboard 109.19 (1997): 18. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  17. Dean, Terrance. "The Meaning Of Frank Ocean. (Cover Story)." Advocate 1062 (2012): 18-27. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  18. Cole, Johnnetta B. "What Hip-Hop Has Done To Black Women." Ebony 62.5 (2007): 90-96. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  19. Cannick, Jasmyne. "Hip Hop's Homophobia And Black America's Silence About It." Lesbian News 31.11 (2006): 31. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  20. A.D. "Eminem Responds." Rolling Stone 846 (2000): 18. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  21. Donnelly, S.B. "The Fire Around The Ice." Time 139.25 (1992): 66. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  22. "Ice-T: Is The Issue Social Responsibility..." Time 140.3 (1992): 88. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  23. "MOMMA DEAREST." New Republic 10 Aug. 1992: 7. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  24. Light, Alan. "Ice-T." Rolling Stone 641 (1992): 162. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  25. "...Or Is It Creative Freedom?." Time 140.3 (1992): 89. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  26. BAKER, GEOFFREY. "Preachers, Gangsters, Pranksters: MC SolaarAnd Hip-Hop As Overt And Covert Revolt." Journal Of Popular Culture 44.2 (2011): 233-255. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  27. Sanchez, Julian. "Illegal Music." Reason 36.7 (2004): 9. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  28. "Straight Outta Time." People 43.14 (1995): 93. Academic Search Premier. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.

GALE Opposing Viewpoints in Context (requires LAPL library card)

  1. Carter, Autumn. "Black Music and Black People Do Not Beget Violence." Media Violence. Ed. Noah Berlatsky. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Editor's Note: Blackness Does Not Beget Violence." Stanford Review. Vol. 7. 14 Mar. 2013.
  2. Muwakkil, Salim. "Blaming Rap and Hip-Hop for Negative Messages Distracts Us from Dealing with the Real Issues." Sexual Violence. Ed. Louise Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Blaming Hip-Hop for Imus." In These Times (22 May 2007). 14 Mar. 2013.
  1. Ross, Justin D. "Consumers of All Races Should Boycott Offensive Rap Music." Should Music Lyrics Be Censored? Ed. Beth Rosenthal. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Offended? The Rap's on Me." Washington Post 9 Sept. 2007. 14 Mar. 2013.
  2. Zylbergold, Bonnie. "Explicit Lyrics Do Not Encourage Teen Sex." Should Music Lyrics Be Censored? Ed. Beth Rosenthal. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Let's Talk About Sex." American Sexuality (8 May 2008). 14 Mar. 2013.
  3. Knoploh, Sarah. "Explicit Lyrics Encourage Teen Sex." Should Music Lyrics Be Censored? Ed. Beth Rosenthal. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Sex, Drugs, Rock 'n' Roll ... and More Sex." Culture and Media Institute. 2009. 14 Mar. 2013.
  4. Poulton, Sonia. "Hip Hop and Hip-Hop Journalism Promote Violence." Media Violence. Ed. Noah Berlatsky. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Hip Hop and Violence: 'I Have to Ask Myself—Did I Help Promote Violence?&#x0027." Independent. 14 Mar. 2013.
  5. McWhorter, John. "Hip-Hop and Rap Lyrics Have No Educational Value." Should Music Lyrics Be Censored? Ed. Beth Rosenthal. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Where Hiphop Is 'Going' and Where It Never Was." The New Republic (21 May 2009). 14 Mar. 2013.
  6. Khan, Nida. "Hip-Hop Lyrics Are No More Degrading to Women Than Other Media." Should Music Lyrics Be Censored? Ed. Beth Rosenthal. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "In Defense of Hip-Hop." . 2007. 14 Mar. 2013.
  7. McWhorter, John. "Hip-Hop Lyrics Do Not Reflect the Reality of Most African Americans." Should Music Lyrics Be Censored? Ed. Beth Rosenthal. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Rap? It's the Same Old Song." Record 4 Dec. 2005: 1. 14 Mar. 2013.
  8. "Preface to 'How Does Popular Culture Influence Society?'." Popular Culture. Ed. David Haugen and Susan Musser. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Opposing Viewpoints. 14 Mar. 2013.
  9. Samad, Anthony Asadullah. "Racist and Sexist Rap Lyrics Must Be Rejected by African Americans." Should Music Lyrics Be Censored? Ed. Beth Rosenthal. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Imus, Repentant and Fired—Rappers, Unrepentant and Uninspired: Now Comes the Real Challenge." Chicago Defender 101.197 (Apr. 2007): 8. 14 Mar. 2013.
  10. Lyddane, Donald. "The Rap Industry Exacerbates the Gang Problem." Gangs. Ed. William Dudley and Louise I. Gerdes. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Understanding Gangs and Gang Mentality: Acquiring Evidence of the Gang Conspiracy." The United States Attorneys' Bulletin 54 (May 2006): 1-14. 14 Mar. 2013.
  11. Page, Clarence. "Rap Music's Focus on Pimps Harms Society." Popular Culture. Ed. John Woodward. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Hearing Hip-Hop's Pathetic Message." Jewish World Review. 2003. 14 Mar. 2013.
  12. Neal, Mark Anthony. "Rap Music's Focus on Pimps Does Not Harm Society." Popular Culture. Ed. John Woodward. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Critical Noir: Pimpin' Ain't Easy." Africana. 2003. 14 Mar. 2013.
  13. McWhorter, John. "Rap Music Harms the Black Community." Popular Culture. Ed. John Woodward. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Rap Only Ruins." New York Post 10 Aug. 2003. 14 Mar. 2013.
  14. Taylor, Carl S., and Virgil Taylor. "Rap Music Provides a Realistic View of Life." Popular Culture. Ed. John Woodward. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Hip-Hop and Youth Culture: Contemplations on an Emerging Cultural Phenomenon." . 2004. 14 Mar. 2013.
  15. Hagedorn, John M. "The Relationship Between Rap and Gangs Has Been Misunderstood." A World of Gangs: Armed Young Men and Gangsta Culture. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press, 2008. 93-98. Rpt. in Gangs. Ed. William Dudley and Louise I. Gerdes. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. 14 Mar. 2013.
  16. Abram, Malcolm X. "Society Will Not Suffer If Music Lyrics Are Censored." Should Music Lyrics Be Censored? Ed. Beth Rosenthal. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Will Imus' Downfall Uplift Rap?" Akron Beacon Journal 19 Apr. 2007. 14 Mar. 2013.
  17. Goodwin, Michele. "Some Rap Music Promotes Sexual Violence." Sexual Violence. Ed. Louise Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Take the Debate Over Degrading Rap Videos Off Mute." Christian Science Monitor. 2006. 14 Mar. 2013.
  18. Morrison, Brent. "Violent Rap Lyrics Can Encourage Violent Behavior." Popular Culture. Ed. John Woodward. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Mean Music: Violent Lyrics and Aggression." . 2003. 14 Mar. 2013.
  19. Pintado-Vertner, Ryan. "Ethnic Diversity in the Fashion Industry Is Improving." The Fashion Industry.Ed. Roman Espejo. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints.Rpt. from "From Sweatshop to Hip-Hop."ColorLines 17 (Summer 2002): 35. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  20. Palango, Paul. "Gangsta Rap Music Contributes to Gang-Related Juvenile Crime." Juvenile Crime.Ed. Auriana Ojeda. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. Opposing Viewpoints.Rpt. from "Danger Signs."Maclean's (18 Dec. 1997). Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  21. Nordlinger, Jay. "The Glamorization of Guns in Rap Music Is a Serious Problem." Is Media Violence a Problem?Ed. James D. Torr. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. At Issue.Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  22. Rosen, Hillary B. "The Problem of Violent Themes in Popular Music Is Exaggerated." Is Media Violence a Problem?Ed. James D. Torr. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. At Issue.Rpt. from "statement before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation." 2000. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  23. Allen, Harry. "Rap Music Does Not Promote Sexual Violence." Sexual Violence.Ed. Mary E. Williams and Tamara L. Roleff. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1997. Opposing Viewpoints.Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  24. Jipping, Thomas L. "Rap Music Leads to Youth Violence." Media Violence.Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints.Rpt. from "Diagnosing the Cultural Virus."The World & I 14 (July 1999): 80. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  25. Phillips, Robert T.M. "Rap Music Promotes Sexual Violence." Sexual Violence.Ed. Mary E. Williams and Tamara L. Roleff. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1997. Opposing Viewpoints.Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  26. Tatum, Becky L. "Studies Have Not Established a Link Between Rap Music and Youth Violence." Media Violence.Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "The Link Between Rap Music and Youth Crime and Violence: A Review of the Literature and Issues for Future Research." Justice Professional 11 (Feb. 1999): 339. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  27. Stack, Pat. "Violent Rap Lyrics Are Not a Significant Contributor to Violent Behavior." Popular Culture.Ed. John Woodward. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints.Rpt. from "Talking Rap."Socialist Review (Feb. 2003). Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.
  28. Pelley, Debbie. "Violent Song Lyrics Encourage Aggressive Behavior in Children." Violent Children.Ed. Hayley Mitchell Huagen. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. At Issue. Rpt. from "Labels and Lyrics: Do Parental Advisory Stickers Inform Consumers and Parents?" 1998. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.

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