A Bad Influence???...I Don't Believe It!

While scrolling the the headlines of the day on E Online today I came across the headline, "50 Cent, A Bad Influence?" Frankly, I was shocked that this was a part of the daily news. As if there was even a question as to 50 cent's negative influence on society. With songs like Candy Shop, which has explicit lyrics and sexual innuendos hidden behind a metaphor of candy, as if the world wouldn't catch on, 5o cent isn't necessarily a saint. However, he is just one member of a large group of "gangster rappers" who flaunt their lifestyle to the millions of people who hang on their every word, or rap .

One distinguishing thing about 50 cent is dangerous record. One of the first things i ever learned about him when he come on the music scene (i think i was about 12) is that he was shot multiple times in some sort of gang violence. In the small world that is Cedar Rapids, IA, this doesn't happen, and if it did, one certainly wouldn't show off those kinds of battle wounds. But 50 has learned to turn his unfortunate circumstance into a fortune. 50 isn't the only one, Akon is another notable figure in the music world who has not set the best example for us, oh so impressionable youth of America.

Akon's claim to fame, besides his music, is the fact that he has been to prison. This normally would be a sort of social stigma, but Akon has turned it into millions of dollars in his bank account. He often raps/sings about his time in prison. But the very fact that he has reached the celebrity he is currently at is automatically sending out a message that even committing crimes can help you make it to the top. If Akon hadn't gone to prison he may have lacked the material to become such a successful artist. Just a thought. To add to that, Akon is still getting in trouble for assaulting people and having relations with underage girls. Obviously, this does not send out the most positive messages to their fans.

As much as these artists do pollute our society with their less than noble lyrics and unlawful actions, that is what makes them the superstars that they are. No one would want to hear them rap about love (that didn't involve sex), friendship, and peace. That is not who they are. They would rather rap about sex, girls, and gang violence. If that is how they make a living, so be it. But that doesn't mean I have to listen.