[caption id="attachment_4242" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Eminem and Rihanna"]
[/caption]Carol Forsloff - On Sunday night fans cheered the rap of folks like Eminem, Dr. Dre and Rihanna; but this critic watched the Grammys and cried foul.
As someone with diverse tastes in music, from classical to rock and all sorts in between, there are rap songs I have liked for sure. I find, however, most are forgettable because that’s the drift of the modern music scene, the expendable songs that don’t light up and stay like Michael Jackson’s music. The critics mostly say “me too” when it comes to the Grammy awards. That me too usually means “I liked” even though the music may not have been likable at all or even good for you. Critics leverage the modern view that anything is fine.
Attractive role models are presented in videos and in award settings, which simply reinforces the images for youth, according to research. It romanticizes violence and conflict. Even if the lyrics don’t, the movements and the music are the focus of children. Studies cite that issue as the most important one.
A Harvard review of music videos, and survey of the research done in 1998, points out these problems as not a liberal or conservative view of the music industry but one that actually is infused with violence to the extent it can be harmful. An article begins its premise with the statement, “Music videos may be hazardous to your health,” then goes on to discuss specifically how that happens.
That direct relationship between music videos and actual, real-life aggression has been examined many times. But the Harvard examination is one that takes center stage with performances, like those presented at the Grammys. The examination underlines the perpetuation of violence not just by lyrics, but by the music and movements, as young children watch actions, then seek to repeat them in social relationships. They learn, according to the studies, that violence is the way to resolve conflict.
While fans of rap music, and their aggressive lyrics and maneuvers, maintain this is simply another venue for music and cathartic for young people, research does not support this, despite claims.
Craig A. Anderson, Ph.D. of Iowa State University tells us in the Science Daily article how world violence can be influenced by violent music videos. "Aggressive thoughts can influence perceptions of ongoing social interactions, coloring them with an aggressive tint. Such aggression-biased interpretations can, in turn, instigate a more aggressive response –verbal or physical – than would have been emitted in a nonbiased state, thus provoking an aggressive escalatory spiral of antisocial exchanges," said Dr. Anderson.
With that research by way of context, Rihanna performed last night with Dr. Dre and Eminem. Significant to her performance at the 53rd annual Grammy performance is the fact her video S & M was banned in 11 countries. Accusations of domestic violence involving Chris Brown with Rihanna protesting victimization form a backdrop for discussion of the performances of these three entertainers last night.
At the Grammy’s Eminem performed “Love the Way You Lie” as what was described as a redemptive performance that acted out the domestic rage in relationships, examining his own issues with his wife, Kim Mathers. Critics maintain he, Dr. Dre and Rihanna “lit up the world” with their performances. The back story on Eminem’s relationship with his wife, and the reason for the song, however may not be known to young people watching fists fly in the air and simulated rage, which simply may reinforce the way children perceive relationships, as social scientists said. In watching the performance at the Grammys, one might wonder how many parents relayed this to their children as simply a message of what not to do.
So for this music critic, the Grammy performance of Eminem, Dr. Dre and Rihanna only lit up the stage with reinforcement of visual violence that has been said to be bad for your health.
References
William J. Cronie
Music Videos Promote Adolescent Aggression
http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/1998/04.09/MusicVideosProm.html
Harvard University Gazette
Violent Music Lyrics Increase Aggressive Thoughts and Feelings According to New Study; Even Humorous Violent Songs Increase Aggressive Feelings
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/05/030505084039.htm
Science Daily
Rihanna’s ‘S&M video banned in 11 countries
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/news/article_1616811.php/Rihanna-s-S&M-video-banned-in-11-countries
M&C
Sheila Marikar
Report: Rihanna Tells Cops Brown’s Hit Her Before
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/WinterConcert/story?id=6863344&page=1
ABC News Entertainment
Jayson Rodriguez
Eminem’s Grammy-Nominated ‘Love the Way You Lie’ How Did it Happen?
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657528/grammy-eminem-love-the-way-you-lie.jhtml
