Influences of hip hop
...ti-women message. These groups argue that the lyrics in many rap songs degrade women by calling them bitches, hoes, and tricks. These words, however, do little more than sell records. It is the image that rap artists represent as a whole that the youth of America buy. Although these terms may sound degrading, these lyrics have no real influence on America's image of women. These words are just a tool of the musicians that helps give them an appearance of being Benninger 2 gangsters, pimps, or dealers. It is these types of people that represent power and control to some or a glimpse into an unknown world to others. Either way, this image is what makes money. Further proof that rap artists are selling an image and not real life is that many rap artists are happily married men with wives and children that they truly care about. Dr. Dre, one of the forefathers of hardcore rap, in an interview with MTV, readily admitted that what he sells in his music is not a life that he himself wishes to live. He, like many other rap artists, does not view women as derogatory sex objects as they are depicted in his lyrics (MTV 3). Songs such as Bitchez [sic] ain't Shit and Bridget in which women are referred to as hoes do not really represent how Dr. Dre and many other rap artists feel about women. Dre said, people buy the type of music that I make. As long as people keep buying it, I will keep making it (MTV 2). Linda Tuzynski, a mother of six and housewife, sees no problem with rap music. It's just a image. No one really thinks of their mothers, wives, girlfriends, or daughters as bitches or hoes. She says the only issue she has with rap music is young children listening to it. But, she says, as long as parents monitor what their children listen to when they are too young, it is n...