Gun crime, knife crime — they are the only crime categories that continue to rise. With role models like rap groups there is almost an inevitability about that and people in the public eye should consider the role models they set. Read the original article here

Can listening to rap music lead to violence? Do rappers make good role models? Let me know what you think.

Wow, there are a lot of stupid and smart people out there. But sadly have you ever known someone in your class that is the big trouble maker to not listen to rap? And that one 4.0 kid that hates the thought of it? And all you people that say it isn’t the people's fault for smoking that joint or shooting that person, the reason why they do it is because of the place they were born or what family they were born into... they have the choice to not be the bad person. Either way when you get rap that promotes violence and drug abuse you get people who do it! — Kirsten

I don’t feel like all rappers put out violent albums. There are a few that do but we as the society that purchases these albums have enough common sense that just cuz someone raps about something doesn’t mean it’s necessarily true and we shouldn’t go follow in their foot steps! — Sabrina

Hi, I’m 13 years old but been preaching since 9 years old and I feel that people should really know the truth behind what they listen to, especially my peers. They love to listen to that music but they do not know that they are playing satan. I believe 50 Cent should be thankful because he is a walking miracle and God saved him for a reason. See god does not let you live for no reason at all; he does it because you have a purpose. — Zachariah

Really rap is a matter of taste. Personally, I am totally disgusted by it. I don't blame rappers for the stupid women in the videos. I don't blame them for men disrespecting women. There needs to be a women’s movement. Don't buy rap music. Don't support artists who disrespect women. Let's take that further and separate ourselves from men who disrespect women. If a man does not respect you, move on. Get yourself together. Get your education, own your own business, own your own home, take care of yourself and more importantly stop chasing these athletes who don’t want you who will never want you to be their wives. — Jay

I'm an ardent listener of rap music and I can say that, yeah, listening to VIOLENT rap music can influence people, particularly the children, who can't really tell right from wrong. It’s really saddening to see how some rappers have taken down the IDEALS of rap music for some profit... but then again, listening to anything derogatory if very influential, be it movies, rock, pop, R&B etc. I listen to more constructive rappers, what I call poetic rappers, like Nas, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Kanye West and a whole lot of others. So, I’d say that, rappers that fall in this category are very good role models for our kids, and can influence them positively, regardless of whatever their interests are ie sports, entertainment etc. The watch word is 'HARD WORK' and some of these rappers really put in a lot of work into what they do. — Tony

If you take away hip hop will there still be violence in this world? Yes Kane killed able and hip hop wasn’t around then. People killed Jesus and hip hop wasn’t there. People are taking out groups of people across the world and do they listen to rap? — Take Ova

I agree with Elvis, no rapper has said go in kill this dude or shank that dude. The kid should be smart enough not act out what the rapper is saying, and if it is a youngster then where’re the parents at? They should know what their kid is listening to. The blame shouldn't be placed on rappers, parents parenting skills should be put in check. At least the parents can let the kid know that just the rapper says don’t make it right for the kid to go out and do the things the rapper talked about. In today’s society people are looking to put the blame on somebody rather than man up to their responsibilities. I've been listening to hip hop since 1989 and I’m 21 years old, listening to KRS, Brotha Lynch Hung, I have never re-enacted the things said by rappers, so stop blaming the rapper and check yourself. — Kavi

Many may feel that hip-hop can lead to violence but many a time I have listened to hip hop and it hasn't induced violence, I think that violence only comes through sub-conscience thoughts and that people have the choice to go and commit violence. People like 2pac are telling a story which is already happening on the streets and so they can’t really be blamed for the violence encouragement, they rap about what they and others see. Lastly I think that people who just use hip-hop and rap as a scapegoat because they do not agree with the lyrics when in fact the lyrics are about life on the streets and a world not everyone is exposed to. — EJ (16 yrs old)

To understand the full impact of anything you have to look beyond your own level of thinking and what you believe influences you. Many of us wouldn't respond to a "Fiddy" song in a way that would promote the lyrics that are stated, however to speak so generally about kids at very impressionable ages who are looking for a source of identity and leadership is cavalier and irresponsible. At the same time to blame hip-hop for a lot of the failures of the black community is also using a controversial message as a scapegoat for the true ills of our people. The message that is being promoted and the ignorance thereof wouldn't have as great of an impact if we understood that the destruction of the family, with the absence of a true male role-model that is in their children's lives on a full time basis would really cut down on all this nonsense. The sad reality to the message that is being presented in these songs as that too many kids can relate to it, so they adapt themselves to the path this dude (said he took — because all these cats ain't from the hood) and begin to mimic it. Reminds me of the song by Gangstar back in the day "Just to get a rep" — and if we truly consider the message of the song the question I have is — who is the one who is influencing the need for a rep? If we can answer that honestly then we can see where the true problems lie. — Mark

I think that rapping’s all good. I may be a girl but I dig my rap music and if you have you have a problem let me tell you this. If you have ever watched the mini series Rome then you will see that there is a lot of crime being committed and rap and modern hip hop music weren’t even around. So it’s not the rap because how can it be when murder and violence were committed long ago. I’m telling you, you just can’t because it wasn’t the rappers who caused the struggle in the ghetto it ain’t the rap that caused violence and murder. So before you judge learn the facts. — Shenz

I have a son who is 9 years old and loves Fiddy, I don't think him liking his music will make him violent. I give my son free choice and it is my job to teach him about violence and what is right and wrong no matter what music he listens to. If he is violent and a thug then I have not done my job as a parent, so no, I don't think rap makes you a thug or want to hurt people, that is a choice. — Star

Rap can lead us to no better place on earth; everything is about money making, sex, dirty language, going to prison, drugs, killing; everything is full of violence, full of nonsense. They cannot confuse children of God. — George

Yes in a way music does control you a bit, but it doesn't necessarily mean hip hop is to blame, because if you really think about it music has been with us for centuries and there have been gangs and violence before hip hop came in the picture. Music is just away of expressing yourself, so stop blaming hip hop, because music keeps us moving the world around, without it we would be nothing. If there was anything to blame it for, blame it on the movies and television, that's where all the violence is at! It's ridiculous how hip hop is always being blamed for something, just because hip hop is growing more and starting to get more noticed doesn't mean that it's hip hop's fault. Look how rock has fallen down a lot because of the drugs they used and the violence they brought. Either way this world is broken, we can fix it, but don't blame everything on hip hop, look around you first. — DJ Rico

I think 50 cent is controlled by the devil. Hip hop makes somebody do what he wants him to do. I think 50 cent has to forget about music and draw himself closer to God so that God will surely show him the way. — Emmanuel

The Bible says that a man can speak life and death with his tongue. Whether or not you believe it, if you keep speaking of violence and death and all these things, you can make them exist. Some rappers cop out, saying that they are justified in saying things for entertainment and to make a living but they will resort to violence to prove that they ain't "fake". What they don't understand is if you hear something so much and so often, its becomes a part of you, it becomes reality. So that is why so much violence has resulted when rappers are praising killing for the purpose of fame and fortune. I truly believe rappers like Tupac and others have done this too; spoken death and violence in their lives and they have ended with the same result: gunned downed or brutally murdered. People are unaware of the power of the tongue and the mind; no doubt violence and violent lyrics of hip hop are definitely correlated, don't be deceived my brothers and sisters. — Whitney

Name: Email address: Comments: Privacy Policy

Queens Reigns Supreme: Fat Cat, 50 Cent, and the Rise of the Hip Hop Hustler This engrossing portrait of the trigger-happy hip-hop demimonde explores the origins of the gangsta-rap ethos in southeast Queens, home to legendary narcotics gangs and many of rap's biggest stars, including 50 Cent and Ja Rule. Ethan Brown begins by chronicling the careers of three Queens drug kingpins during the 1980s crack epidemic, when maintaining a fearsome reputation for violence was a must for doing business. He continues through to the 1990s, when a younger generation of hip-hop artists and impresarios idolized such criminals and adopted their twisted moral economy of street cred. Rappers dissed rivals' lack of a criminal background while burnishing their own; the war of rhymes occasionally escalated into gunplay between hostile entourages; prison stints and shoot-out wounds were coveted markers of hoodlum authenticity. Drawing on interviews with gangsters and rappers alike, Brown looks behind the tabloid headlines. Available to buy from amazon.com and amazon.co.uk

Why White Kids Love Hip Hop Why White Kids Love Hip-Hop is a provocative book that reveals how hip-hop has altered conventional 'racial politics.' Bakari Kitwana does not shy away from the lingering truths, stereotypes, and contradictions related to hip-hop, that result from a long-standing racial hierarchy. He is clear that everyone can enjoy and experience hip-hop-but not at the expense of young blacks who now, as in the beginning, remain its driving creative force. Kitwana has provided a myth-busting, stereotype-shattering, paradigm-shifting examination of the complex relationship between white youth and black popular culture. Eschewing tired cliches, refusing racial pieties, and resisting old habits of thought, he clears a brilliant path to fresh insight. In fact, it's crucial for understanding youth culture and contemporary racial politics. Available to buy from amazon.com and amazon.co.uk

Jesus and the Hip-Hop Prophets: Spiritual Insights from Lauryn Hill and Tupac Shakur Cleverly organized into seven short "tracks" instead of chapters, this slim volume offers reflections on the lyrics of two popular recording artists, Lauryn Hill and the late 2pac Shakur. That Teter, director of two More Than Conquerors campus ministries, and Gee, pastor of Fountain of Life Family Worship Center, are knowledgeable fans of hip-hop and admirers of the two featured lyricists is unmistakable. Equally evident is their desire to enable their fellow fans to discover the spiritual truths embedded in the lyrics. The book suffers from the typical awkwardness of the first-person narratives of two writers-the "I, Alex" and "My (John's)" type of construction. Still, the book offers a valuable look at the connection between the harshness of urban life and the prophetic warnings from two singers who managed to find hope amid difficult circumstances. Available to buy from amazon.com and amazon.co.uk

Kanye West brought conflict diamonds to the attention of many with his video for Diamonds from Sierra Leone. Now, movie Bling: Consequences and Repercussions looks to further educate the hip hop generation about the murder and carnage caused by the world’s greed for diamonds. Bling: Consequences and Repercussions

If, like me, you were surprised to see Pastor Mason Betha rapping with 50 Cent on his single Window Shopping, you might be wondering what's going on. Mase's conversion to Christianity in 1999 is well documented, not least in his autobiography. Has Ma$e exchanged Creflo Dollar for half a dollar?

Is it all too easy for politicians and the media to blame gangsta rappers for the fact that young people carry guns and knives? Could it be that the alienated youths that do so have been far more influenced by other factors such as poor education or family breakdown? Taking the Rap?

So Solid Crew star Ashley Walters’s career goes from strength to strength. After bouncing back from a jail sentence for firearms possession, via roles in a string of movies and prime time TV series, rapper Asher D is now starring in new British urban thriller Sugarhouse. Asher D: Rising To The Top