Discussing the Issue

Early trends used in the hip hop industry are the origin  to the glorification of drugs within the culture.  In the 1980s, a small rap group from Compton, California called NWA started a new movement.  Eazy-E, a drug dealer put enough money together to pursue this new genre, gangsta rap.  Already, hip hop was somewhat created on the base of drugs.  Beginning in Los Angeles, suburban homes across America were intrigued with this new form of music.  Eazy-E’s investment made millions and his idea influenced others to create more of this upbeat music.  Platinum albums were developed, and teenagers were attracted to this original framework of art.  After NWA, soon artists like RUN DMC, Snoop Doggy Dog, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and many others formed rap groups and produced music based off of Eazy E’s conception of rap.  (thegrio.com)  Because drugs became a trend in the industry, it was hard for artists to not praise the use of it within their music.  North Carolina A&T psychology professor and journalist, Brian Sims,  joined radio host Frank Stasio to discuss the use of drugs in hip hop.  He states, “From Woodstock to Jimmy Buffett, popular culture has long celebrated drug and alcohol use in music.  But in mainstream hip hop, drugs become not just about escapism, but a means to improve one’s lot in life” (Sims).  Sims explains that in hip hop, drugs are used as a positive commodity, and not shut down as an illegal substance that shouldn’t be praise.  Early artists may have paved the way, but they also made something illegal become a raw necessity for the business.  Significantly, these early infatuations of drug use became popular and are a key reason for its acceptance in hip hop today.  Without a beginning, there is no end and what Eazy-E used as a “get rich scheme,” still exists in the industry now. Although NWA paved the way for many rap groups, they were centrally funded by drug money.  Because of this, it is safe to say that hip hop was fueled by drugs, and that’s primarily the reason why drugs are glorified today.


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Rapper Lil Wayne
Holly Robinson dressed up like Lil Wayne



Another cause for the popularity of drug use in hip hop is the idea of being cool in society.  The desire of being wanted in society plays a big role in why fans use drugs and are so fascinated with hip hop and its culture.  NWA and Eazy-E made it possible for famous rap artists like Lil Wayne to be successful.  Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., also known as Lil Wayne, uses his success to influence his fans to be just like him.  Although people have a choice to follow or take after his behavior, Lil Wayne uses the fact that he is a celebrity to be in sync with his fans.  From the clothes and piercings, to the hair and tattoos, fans admire Lil Wayne’s lifestyle.  In Lil Wayne’s Song, “Live From 504”, he quotes, “Whatever legends look like, b**** I’m fin to be that. I walked right in hip hop, like where my dinner be at?”  In this line, Lil Wayne expresses how he looks up to the legends of hip hop that paved a way for him.  He is also saying that since he came into the industry, no one can compare to his skills or talents.  Columnist Mariel Concepcion introduces an argument covering Lil Wayne and his role in hip hop.  In her article, “Smoke ‘N Mirrors”, she manages to catch your attention from the start.  While discussing Lil Wayne’s childhood, she is able to use is problems with drugs, and previous arrests to prove her point.  She presents the star rapper as a thug, womanizer, and drug user.  Concepcion is able to get her point across by using Lil Wayne’s drug charges to contrast his successful career.  Lil Wayne’s “Live From the 504”, also contains another line that demonstrates his attitude towards drug. “Let’s do a pill I can f*** you for an hour with that. And to the kids, drugs kill, I’m acknowledging that. But when I’m on the drugs, I don’t have a problem with that” Lil Wayne’s acknowledgement of his actions proves that he knows drugs are wrong but he doesn’t care.  This also clarifies that Wayne admits that when he’s on drugs, he could care less about its affects to his body or the people around him.  Essentially, Lil Wayne’s power over society is surprisingly demanding and somewhat amazing.  Overlooking hip hop as a power, artists don’t realize how influential they are to their fans.  This proves that hip hop has the capability of altering or modifying their listener’s choices in life.  It also shows that artist have more authority then lead on to believe.

Drugs in hip hop also influences education in society and the way adolescents think, learn, and act.  Researchers believe that hip hop and rap music are the dominant reasons for why teenagers respond in rebellious acts.  However, Brenda Jackson and Sharon Anderson, two teachers from the Bronx, seem to think otherwise.  In their article written in the Black History Bulletin, “Hip Hop Culture Around The Globe: Implications For Teaching,” they describe how hip hop and rap music affect teenagers in education.  They also explain the birth of hip hop and its cultural phenomenon.  As educators, Jackson and Anderson believe that as school demographics change, so do the students.  They also express that hip hop has a good, bad, and an ugly side. 

 Instead of teaching the negative views of hip hop, they try to teach students positive perspectives about the culture.  In the Journal of Youth & Adolescence, Miranda, Dave, and Michel Claes write an article describes the links between American Rap, French Rap, Hip Hop/Soul, and Gangsta/Hardcore Rap.  In “Rap Music Genres And Deviant Behaviors In French-Canadian Adolescents”, they also discuss five different deviant behaviors that result in adolescents because of the music genres.  Miranda and Claes elaborate on the behaviors such as violence, theft, street gangs, and mild and hard drug use.  Throughout the  article, they suggest that the hip hop culture is the root of all of these behaviors.  This is significant because by communicating through hip hop, educators are able to understand each student’s ability to learn on a different level.  Also, it shows that drugs do effect the way teenagers act and behave.  The Claes’ use hip hop and drug use to prove that not only are Americans seeing this occur, but hip hop’s praise on drugs is also relevant in other countries.  Although the culture has its controversy, teachers Miranda Jackson and Sharon Anderson from New York use its negative outlook as a way to influence their students to do well in school, not participate in drugs, and seek for a future in life.