I currently work at a middle school in Los Angeles, CA, where hip hop culture is prevalent and thriving. A great majority of the student population loves rap music, just like students loved their rock and roll in previous generations. I will be the first to admit that some of today's rap music is actually appealing to my ears. However, as an educator, I wish that rappers would promote education in their lyrics like they promote education in their own household. While it is a known fact that today's rap music does not generally promote education, there are many rappers who have attended college and who currently send their kids to college (Diddy, Snoop Dog, Master P, etc.).
Since a rapper's fan base includes millions of people, many of whom are adolescents, my wondering is what it would take to get rappers to promote education in their music. How hard can it be? After all, if rappers are sending their kids to high performing schools and prestigious colleges, they must value education. The students at my school, or any other school, might be inspired to attend college themselves if they knew their favorite rapper was interested in higher learning.
The bottom line is that educators/teachers need help inspiring this generation of students to prioritize education. In an era where pop culture and music consume a student's time, students would benefit from hearing positive lyrics on education from their favorite artist(s). Instead, students are hearing lyrics that promote everything but an education (i.e., sex, drugs, crime, and money).
I am curious to hear your thoughts on why rappers send their kids to college. How might students be encouraged to attend college through rap music?
Since a rapper's fan base includes millions of people, many of whom are adolescents, my wondering is what it would take to get rappers to promote education in their music. How hard can it be? After all, if rappers are sending their kids to high performing schools and prestigious colleges, they must value education. The students at my school, or any other school, might be inspired to attend college themselves if they knew their favorite rapper was interested in higher learning.
The bottom line is that educators/teachers need help inspiring this generation of students to prioritize education. In an era where pop culture and music consume a student's time, students would benefit from hearing positive lyrics on education from their favorite artist(s). Instead, students are hearing lyrics that promote everything but an education (i.e., sex, drugs, crime, and money).
I am curious to hear your thoughts on why rappers send their kids to college. How might students be encouraged to attend college through rap music?
RSS Feed
