Williams 1

Emily Williams
Malcolm Campbell
University Writing 1101-065
September 16, 2014

The Sounds of a Generation: Analysis of Hip Hop and Rap

Music is one thing that has always made sense to me. No matter what mood I happen to
be in, music always finds a way to satisfy me. Not only do the relieving sounds and rhythms
make it an unlimited outlet, but the meaningful words provide valuable motivation as well.
Music has been around for centuries and it has transformed and evolved into many other genres
and styles. From its varied styles to its influence in society, music has changed immensely
throughout history.
Music is a way of communication for many artists, because it helps them say things that
they couldnt have without it. Different genres of music offer a different message and story
within every one of their songs. For example, country music often tells stories of love,
heartbreak, and hard workers. On the other hand, rap music often tells stories of families and
friends struggles, bonds, and dealing with major losses. Music genres cover a wide range of
topics, cultures, and themes so each individual person can appreciate it.
After exploring many sub-genres of music, I found that my favorite was rap music, which
has been very popular for my generation. Rap music has majorly developed within the past 30
years or so, and it has changed the way that many cultures listen to and create their music. Rap
has not existed for very long, but now that it is many alterations have been made to the musics

Williams 2

sound in order to meet the audiences wants and preferences. This genre has many conventions
such as profanity, repetitive beats and choruses, as well as reoccurring themes and messages that
appeal to a younger age group. Rap music started out as simple rhymes that were put together,
but over the years it has transformed into a very competitive hobby among artists or even kids
living on the streets.
The majority of people that listen to rap music tend to be teenagers and young adults.
This selective audience is listening to rap music to feel something, and young adults seem to be
wild, reckless and free, and that is what the public wants to feel when listening to this certain
category of music. It sends out a message that not everyone agrees with, but all people go
through different experiences and challenges in their lives, and thats what makes them who they
are. Because in my opinion, music says a lot about whom a person is.
From Tupac and Biggie who are now deceased, to modern day rappers such as Drake and
Lil Wayne, this genre of music has seen many stylistic changes throughout these couple of years.
Biggie and Tupac rapped more about their struggles as well as street and gang violence that was
actually going on in their lives, because their lives were influenced by a hard street life. The
culture that gave birth to that generation of rap music was alive during a volatile time for low
income families in urban areas. Gangs were very prevalent and the violence produced by these
groups inspired many young artists living in the streets to speak out the only way they knew they
could, by rapping.
On the other hand, another newer version of rap would focus on wealth and prosperity
instead of violence and hardships. Drake and Lil Wayne tend to rap more about the women in
their life, the fast cars they drive, and the rich lifestyles that they live. Rap is such a specific

Williams 3

genre because it focuses more on its lyrics than any other genre. It is made up of spoken rhymes
and verses paired with a beat instead of singing, making it different from any type of music.
Often in rap the artists voice serves as the songs primary melody. The subject of many rap songs
often brings negative attention to the genre. Although many stereotype rap music as vulgar and
horrific, not all of its music should be put into that same category.
Rap music not only has many conventions but it has many constraints as well. Some
constraints in this genre tend to be love stories, happiness, and a surplus of musical instruments.
Additionally, rap music learns towards an aggressive or hyper effect in emotion instead of a
positive and moving experience. More times than not, rap also displays an artists ego, with
entire songs sometimes dedicated to describing the artists lavish lifestyle. This is a lyrical style
that is not generally seen in any other genre, and yet it is a primary subject in a certain rap genre.
Rap music contains many different ways of communication with its audience, there are some
artists that will repetitively talk about their success and lives while others focus more on women
and drugs. Rap also features more controversial topics than any other genre of music, mostly
through the description of drug use. Although these are common traits of rap music, it should not
be assumed that this kind of music is meaningless and corrupt.
For my example of actual meaningful rap music, I have chosen a song by Tupac called
Changes. In this rap song, Tupac rhymes about his struggles of living in the hood, and vouches
for not only him but for many other people in the struggle as well. In the song, we see many rap
conventions, which included his hardships and adversities while living in the ghetto. This rap
song has a deeper meaning then just fast cars and beautiful women, but it actually connects with
many modern day children and teenagers that are having extreme hardships at home. Tupac raps,
We gotta start makin changes learn to see me as a brother instead of two distant strangers. He

Williams 4

is trying to send out a message to everyone who is dealing with conflict in their lives, no matter
what it is. And he not only wants to address the problem but he wants to make a change.
The story-telling style of rap music was the best way for Tupac to get his point across.
His passion and talent lied in making rap music, so it was only natural for him to do it the only
way he knew how. The artists purpose of making this song was to enlighten the public on how
harsh and difficult life can turn out to be. Tupac raps, I see no changes all I see is racist faces
misplaced hate makes disgrace to racists. He is talking about the hate towards blacks in
everyday life and the obstacles that they have to go through just because of their race. Rap songs
are meant to inform the listener and thats exactly what Tupac makes his audience feel.
The song I chose and rap in general could be
changed into poetry by simply eliminating the
dependence on a beat and focusing on what the artist
has to say. Both of these genres feature short verses
and stanzas to tell stories, and emphasize a rhyme
scheme. The only true difference between poetry and
rap music is the latters dependence on music. Whether
it is poetry or rap music, they both contain a strong
correlation of words that make their audiences connect
with them. Keeping the audience interested is a key component in any form of communication
and genre, especially in music.
All genres have their own styles and conventions but they all share a common trait, and
that is the love that the audience has for the music that they listen to. Music is a large part of

Williams 5

many people lives, and it will continue to be for many centuries to come. If it is a rap song, a
country song, a rock song, or even a pop song they will all contain meaning and the intent to
make there selected audience feel a certain type of way. And that is the beauty of music.
Music, like society itself, has evolved by leaps and bounds over the ages. The
introduction of rap music, coupled with the computer era of the youths generation, has created a
music sensation so explosive and global; the world has never seen anything like it. Hip-hop and
rap have accumulated millions of fans, and have proved themselves to be the music of a
generation.