by James Di Fiore

Created on: April 01, 2008

Hip hop is a transcending music. The genre has received bad press over the years but has survived and grown on a global scale. While it is tough to blame people for pointing their fingers at hip hop, the genre is not responsible for the stereotypes it often projects - the marketing forces behind the genre hold that responsibility.

Unfortunately, hip hop music has been hijacked by a commercial formula that shines a spotlight on material items, sex and violence. What's even more troubling is that the corporations that support this formula are directing their marketing efforts towards children. If being a kid these days wasn't tough enough, they now have to deal with the temptation of overlooking an education for a chance to "shine" or "get respect".

But don't blame hip hop for this added challenge to young kids. That would be like blaming pop music for the antics of Britany Speares. One is a genre, the other is the artist. Hip hop is an outlet for kids who need to express themselves, just like any art form. It teaches kids how to think creatively through literary devices more than most other musical genres. This is because hip hop relies on words more than melody, and the prowess of an emcee is the way he or she strings words together. On this point, hip hop also improves the confidence of kids. The format also helps kids learn language and become more literate in music, language and also in life. Hip hop helps kids to become more articulate and clever. The purpose of a hip hop battle is not to see who is the toughest, but who is the smartest emcee. If there were ever a genre in music that could be compared to organized sports it is hip hop. Additionally, hip hop is not trapped within its own box and the art of emceeing can be executed over any kind of music. This can open doors for kids who want to explore all genres, and hip hop is one of few genres that can give them this perspective of branching out. This is why it is a transcending music - it can lift a child's intelligence level and their abilities in musical arts.

Any negative impacts hip hop has on kids is indirect. While the genre has been used to promote a lifestyle that some find reckless, once again that is a reflection of the person delivering the message, rather than hip hop itself.

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