Dionne Humphrey
Dionne Humphrey wants rap musicians to put their talents into writing messages that are more positive… like respecting your mother.
I enjoy all kinds of music — except country. Like many of my friends, I actually listen to lyrics and even try to sing them. Unfortunately, most of the rap music we hear today has the same few themes: selling drugs, buying drugs, money, love, making love, or of course, going to the club.
There are very few songs out there that actually convey any positive messages, like going to church or being respectful to your mother… and I rarely hear those songs on the radio. I’m concerned my generation is being influenced by all the negative things we listen to in our music. I get pumped up when I hear lyrics with angry messages… which is ok, because I don’t act upon those feelings. Though, some of my peers may be more inclined. I’ve read studies that say music with negative lyrics can really influence what we do and say. So I asked my friends if they are affected by the tunes they listen to: no one really admitted anything but all agreed that they do believe lyrics can and do influence people.
I wonder, what would happen if the same talented rap musicians who write about selling dope wrote about staying in school? It would probably be corny and the artists would lose their street cred. But, if they pulled it off, maybe a cool rap song about getting a job could actually persuade the same kids who wanted to buy drugs.
