Can music cause violence? A new report finds that lyrics and music videos have been used to send hundreds of young Black men to prison.
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Rap and drill 'used to send young men to jail'
Can music cause violence? A new report finds that lyrics and music videos have been used to send hundreds of young Black men to prison.
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What's happening?
In 2001, a man named McKinley Phipps went on trialWhen evidence against someone is examined in a court, and a judge or jury decides if they are guilty of a crime. in the USAThe United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million. . Phipps was a hip-hop artist, and he was accused of killing a 19-year-old.
Another man had admitted to the murder. But Phipps' songs, which included lyrics such as "murder, murder, kill, kill" were enough for him to be sent to prison
In the last few years, music - specifically rapA type of music in which the words are spoken rhythmically rather than sung. , grime'Grime' emerged in the early 2000s from the East End of London, from a marriage American-influenced hip-hop to genres more popular in Britain, such as garage and dancehall. Grime remained 'underground' for a long time, but eventually broke into the mainstream with artists like Dizzee Rascal and Tinchy Strider. and drillA subgenre of hip hop music that emerged in the 2010s. It is known for its violent lyrics. - has played a part in the trials of more than 240 people in the UK, mostly Black men, nearly half of them under 18 years old.
But is there a link between drill and violence?
Find out more
Some say that drill artists are simply writing about the things they have seen. It is a way of turning hardship into art.
But drill's critics say it is making violence seem glamorousExciting and attractive. and exciting.
In 2021, a report found that more than a third of gang-related murders in London were "linked" with drill. This means that either the attacker or victim made drill music, or drill music videos were used as evidenceSomething which proves that something else is true. of the crime by police.
But others think this does not prove much. In places where gang violence is common, making drill music can be a way to success. So lots of young people want to be drill musicians, even if they are not really in gangs themselves.
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Can music cause violence?
Yes! Music boasting about taking part in terrible crimes makes violence look exciting and glamorous. It could make young listeners think about getting involved in gangs.
No! Drill music is made because of gang violence, but it does not cause it. It is not fair that so many young men, especially young Black men, are put in prison due to music videos and lyrics.
Keywords
On trial - When evidence against someone is examined in a court, and a judge or jury decides if they are guilty of a crime.
USA - The United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million.
Rap - A type of music in which the words are spoken rhythmically rather than sung.
Grime - 'Grime' emerged in the early 2000s from the East End of London, from a marriage American-influenced hip-hop to genres more popular in Britain, such as garage and dancehall. Grime remained 'underground' for a long time, but eventually broke into the mainstream with artists like Dizzee Rascal and Tinchy Strider.
Drill - A subgenre of hip hop music that emerged in the 2010s. It is known for its violent lyrics.
Glamorous - Exciting and attractive.
Evidence - Something which proves that something else is true.
Rap and drill ‘used to send young men to jail’
On trial: A criminal behaviour order allows the police to vet the lyrics of drill superstar Digga D. Glossary
On trial - When evidence against someone is examined in a court, and a judge or jury decides if they are guilty of a crime.
USA - The United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million.
Rap - A type of music in which the words are spoken rhythmically rather than sung.
Grime - 'Grime' emerged in the early 2000s from the East End of London, from a marriage American-influenced hip-hop to genres more popular in Britain, such as garage and dancehall. Grime remained 'underground' for a long time, but eventually broke into the mainstream with artists like Dizzee Rascal and Tinchy Strider.
Drill - A subgenre of hip hop music that emerged in the 2010s. It is known for its violent lyrics.
Glamorous - Exciting and attractive.
Evidence - Something which proves that something else is true.