Censorship in Music

How many of us have listened to an “Uncut” rap song? Probably most of us under the age of 30. Nowadays, rap has made it into the mainstream and consequently into more homes than ever before. From the first rap single by the Sugar Hill Gang, to the gangster rap of NWA, and the more recently pop charting sound of Eminem, isn’t it inevitable that the “uncut” versions are going to make it into our homes, one way or another.

If you hear a song and it attracts you, do you not want to hear the original version? The way the artist intended it to be heard. Isn’t it taking away the artist’s integrity by making them change so called offensive curse woods. Who are they offensive too? Middle class people who pretend the world is perfect and inoffensive? Yes, the average working class person relates to the scenarios played out in these graphical descriptive lyrics and can often relate to them. And if not, they can see where the artist is coming from. Artists don’t always play out their own lives in their lyrics but often explore the political topics otherwise left undiscussed. Is that not even more irresponsible? Should we shelter the younger generations from the evil the world holds. Because lets face it, this world is far from the perfections of the love songs sang by the mainstream pop artists. Isn’t the shock factor a handy tool then into days society and doesn’t it prepare our children for the harsh world in which they live?
The so called volatile lyrics have created so much arguments that people don’t often know where to side. Certain politicians and group leaders have blamed artists like eminem for the notorious columbine shooting where 2 teenage boys went into their high school and shot several students and teachers dead. The argument is, would they have done that if they hadn’t listened to graphical detailed violent lyrics by artists like Eminem or Marylyn Manson? Obviously, we can’t say one way or another. But my argument stands, that heinous crimes have been around longer than the invention of electricity. Are you telling me that Jack the Ripper was listening to a gangster rap CD just before he went out and raped countless women and murdered them in unspeakable ways. No, of course not because he didn’t have a CD player. He3 didn’t have electricity, more than likely. Even going back as far as Jesus’ days. The Romans weren’t sitting around listening to NWA talk about killing everyone outside their concert were they? Violence has been around longer than hip-hop and just because hip-hop artists talk about the heinous things that go on in our world, that doesn’t make them responsible.

Today’s society is looking for blame. Personally, I blame the upbringing. 9 times out of 10, the way children are raised influences their behaviour for life. These “do gooders” talk about how all these kids have gone bad and are imitating rappers lyrics but what about all the kids who don’t do bad things. I personally have listened to hip-hop since I was about seven years old and I have never shot anyone, or beaten someone for no reason, assaulted a police officer, nothing like that. My parents taught me right from wrong from the jump, and it didn’t matter what music I listened too, I still knew what was right and wrong. Morality should be instilled before a child starts exploring the type of music or movies they like. How many criminals listen to hip-hop? Has anyone actually gone out and done a study on this? Rock is placed by blame also. So, all good people listen to pop and watch PG movies, while all bad people listen to hip-hop;/rock and watch action movies. I will not accept that listening to graphical music which explores a society we realistically live in, has any correlation to crime and heinous crimes at that.

Eminem points out that he often is exploring situations he has never been in. Haven’t authors been doing this for years? And playwrights also. I’m sure Alfred Hitchcock didn’t do any of the things his character did in clockwork Orange, or that Stephen King had ever been on Death Row. So, why is it that authors and playwrights can get away with this and yet the hip-hop world is scrutinised for discussing these political issues. They are doing the same thing, aren’t they?

So should we censor music? Until the late 80s, the British broadcasting corporation censored its movies, it has been done. But then, we are sugar coating everything. Telling the audience, that don’t worry, this type of thing doesn’t really happen. But it does. Wasn’t it said that the best for of be armed is to be forearmed. I strongly disagree with censorship. I think in an ten year old child wants to listen to a rapper then they should be allowed too with the parents guidance. Parents’ presence is a valuable part of growing up. My parents listened to the music I did, and they might not always like it, but they knew what I was listening too. Isn’t that better than letting your kids go out and listen to music you have no idea about. It’s the notion, that as long as they are guided, then morality is instilled. And the artist is allowed to be free to explore any topics. In a way, its like they teaching. Teaching the lesson of life.

[this article was written in 2003 for a class in school]