Introduction
Probably, music is the most popular way of entertaining people in the modern culture. Artists create different music to suit different people, situations and needs. This has resulted to the emergence of many songs which aim at attracting audience in unique ways. For example, Classic Rock music targets elderly people showing its unique characteristics that target to satisfy their needs.
In line with this satisfaction, artists tend to embrace violence, purport racism, and isolate social classes when they are creating music. Therefore, this paper will analyze how the classic rocks and gangsta rap depict violence, racism and social classes. Additionally, it will make a comparison between classic rocks and gangsta rap (Covach & Everet, 2000).
Analyzing Classic Rocks
Understandably, audience determines the content of music as well as the depiction of violence, racism and social class. Classic rocks are created to target the elderly generation by including the old lyrics in the modern hits. This implies that artists must include themes relating to good morals so that they can capture their interest. Consequently, classic rocks do not portray violence since the audience regards it as immorality.
Unlike other songs that refer women as whores and bitches, classic rocks do not use abusive words when referring to people. This is an undisputable indication that classic rocks avoid violence to maintain the audience and satisfy its needs.
Classic rocks are composed in a manner that is more related to white races than the black people. They address issues that confront the European countries including laws, health services, and love among others. In fact, most rocks are inspired by real life occurrences affecting the audience.
During the federal law that limited the speed of vehicles at 55 km/h, Hagar composed his rock which was referred to as I Cannot Drive 55.
This song was addressing a real issue that faced the citizens of United States of America. Although the song does not specify the race, it addresses an issue experienced by the citizens of a European country. Generally, classic rocks are related to the white race and address issues conjoined to the whites.
In regard to the social class, classic rocks target people who earn high income in the society. This is evident in many classic rocks that have been composed since 1980s. It is evident that Hagar’s rock is addressing the vehicles’ speed limits in the United States of America. It is probable that the people who own vehicles are at the middle class level. This implies that classic rocks are related to wealthy people in the society.
Analyzing Gangsta Rap
Youths are the primary audience of the gangsta rap which implies that the content must satisfy their interests. Regrettably, violence has gradually become a modern culture especially among the young people. The lyrics contain violent, explicit and abusive content to capture the youths’ attention.
For example, women are referred to as whores showing that women are sexually immoral. This language is very popular among the youths implying that youths are attracted by the gangsta rap due to this abusive and violent approach.
Gangsta rap originates from the low income areas where people face many financial problems. This poverty causes bitterness that could lead to use of abusive language when composing the lyrics. In fact, most gangsta raps dwell on the plight of poor people by portraying the problems they encounter. This allows pleading for consideration by the relevant authorities.
In regard to the race, gangsta rap addresses the plight of black people amidst the white race. In fact, the lyrics have been used to fight for freedom of the black race during the dark spell characterized by discrimination, oppression and isolation. Although they have been criticized for violence, these lyrics have played an imperative role in addressing the issues of this race.
Comparison and Contrast between Gangsta Rap and Classic Rocks
There are numerous differences between the classic rock and gangsta rap in accordance to how they approach violence, racism and social classes. While the gangsta rocks include explicit content, the classic rocks use polite language that does not disparage the integrity of some people. This difference is caused by the different audiences where gangsta rap targets the youth and classic rocks target the elderly people in the society.
Secondly, gangsta rap is concerned with issues facing the black people as well as the people who earn low income in the society. On the other hand, classic rocks are concerned with wealthy people who could be within or beyond middle class (Burrows, 2005). It relates to issues conjoined to white people implying that its racial orientation is based on white race.
Despite the above contradictory ideologies, the gangsta rap and classic rocks share one similarity. Sometimes, gangsta rap and classic rocks address issues that affect all people regardless of their race or social class. Additionally, it is noticed that the two lyrics can address some issues without violent depictions.
Conclusion
This discussion shows that gangsta rap uses violent and explicit content in order to capture the young people who are attracted to violence. Additionally, it is noted that these lyrics relate to the black race and people who get low income in the society.
On the other hand, classic rocks are related to people who earn high income. Lastly, the classic rocks use non-violent approach since the elderly audience cannot tolerate violence (Burrows, 2005).
References
Burrows, J. (2005). Classical music. London: DK Pub..
Covach, J. R., & Everett, W. (2000). American rock and the classical music tradition. S.l.: Overseas Publishers Association, published by license under the Harwood Academic Publishers imprint, part of The Gordon and Breach Pub Group.