Christopher Lindsay

UWRT
Influence A Generation
I believe that music is a powerful tool that can be used to change the world. Music
has been around in various forms since the beginning of civilization. People have utilized
it as not only a method of expression, but also a means for comfort, empathy, and
sometimes simply entertainment. The idea that this will exist forever keys into its
importance. Some people view music as nothing more than a form of entertainment, but I
feel that it is necessary to look beyond the entertainment value and take a look at the
bigger picture and the role that it plays in our society as a whole. Music can have such an
immense impact on the world as we see it.
Im known by the people around me as the guy that is obsessed with music due to
the fact that it is a rare instance for me to be caught without headphones on. I will never
forget one of my earliest encounters with music. I was about eight years old sitting in my
bedroom. I turned to BET (Black Entertainment Television), after watching my Saturday
cartoons, and discovered something that would change the way I think for years to come.
The program was 106 and park and what I saw was a song entitled Go DJ by Lil
Wayne. This was the first time that I had been exposed to the hip-hop genre in general.
This song gave me a desire to hear more content from him. Wayne has grown to become
my favorite music artist. Soon, I got an mp3 player and the rest was history. I show my
love for music in every aspect of my life from not being able to enjoy a car ride without
having an auxiliary cord playing my music, to having to listen to the radio in order to fall
asleep.

Everyone has a song that they would consider to be their favorite song. But why is
it their favorite song? The artists that are at the top of the food chain in the music industry
today have a God given gift to articulate themselves perfectly in the form of lyrics and
instrumentals. Maybe its the lyrics that touch your soul and give you a desire to change
your character for the better. It could also be the smooth beat that gives you the urge to
get up and dance, which in turn makes you happier. Sometimes I wonder how the author
knew exactly what to say and how to say it in a manner that seems as though theyre
speaking directly to me. Regardless of the process, their actions allow me to temporarily
escape from reality for the length of the song or album. I feel that this escape is necessary
for everyone at one point or another. As I hear the messages accompanied with the pain
and struggle in the voices of some of these artists, I recognize how its still possible to
relate to them despite the separation in status. Because of my constant personal
connection with the music, I see how our generation in particular can be influenced.
There are places like Chicago where killing is literally glorified within the
communities. People are commended for how many bodies theyve caught. Rather than
giving recognition to the people who see the error in this mentality and are making a
conscious effort to change it, we are praising the savage rappers that encourage the
maintenance of the high murder rates in the major crime cities across the country. This is
a testament to musics influence on the people. No matter how bad things are, you can
always make things worse. (Pausch) These rappers that are releasing these vulgar
records are the epitome of this statement. This is an instance where the true power of
music can be displayed. Music has always been present in times of need. Weve seen this
after the impact of national tragedies such as Hurricane Katrina, the death of Trayvon

Martin, and 9/11. In the wake of the recent Mike Brown tragedy in Ferguson, Missouri,
some of the top hip-hop artists came together to compose a song called Dont Shoot.
They used their fame and notoriety appropriately to address the public about something
that is plaguing society: police brutality and abuse of power.
People use music to deal with any situation at hand. Music is one of the main
ways that an individual can express their true feelings and spread it over a large audience.
I consider the method extremely more effective than if the author were to deliver a
speech or release something via social networks. Shortly after the 2005 devastation that
was caused by Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans native rapper Lil Wayne released a
record called Tie My Hands with Robin Thicke that addressed his feelings and his
intentions to help his hometown in the future. The fact that he is from the area allows the
listeners to be able to relate plus they know that his point of view is legitimate.
Ive gotten to the point that in order for me to listen to an artist, they have to be
communicating ideas that tie into my life. In this day and time, its understood that a
majority of the songs on the radio lack substance, but there are still some artists that
produce music that I consider as revolutionary. A few of the artists that fall into this
category for me are Wale, Joey Bada$$, and J. Cole. Wale takes a look at the vanity and
narcissism that affects the general public and aims to release music that will change their
thought process, because a lot of times these things happen without even noticing. Joey
Bada$$ is an 18 year old rapper from Brooklyn, New York that often refers to his third
eye, a concept that means that he can and wants to see the bigger picture at all times.
This is vital to me because I feel that people have a tendency to goes with the flow,
ignorant to the corruptions of the different industries that run our country. Joey is an artist

that is not often played on the radio essentially because his songs are not catchy. People
are missing out on the real messages due to the quota that the radio stations have set. I am
very passionate about music and I feel that it should be used for the better. I feel as
though I can connect with Fayetteville rapper, J. Cole on a personal level because he is
from North Carolina and we had similar upbringing. Cole recognizes the corruption and
evil that is present in the music and entertainment industries and wants to make the public
aware. According to the opinions expressed in his music, our stance on the lack of
substance in music is nearly identical.
I am constantly involved in debates with my peers about music. People dont
usually agree with my opinions because a majority of my friends would rather have a
nice beat than nice lyricism. My belief in regards to this is tested on almost a daily basis.
Due to the length of time that these beliefs have developed, I strongly doubt that these
will change for the worse. I have the feeling that I will become more adamant about the
way I feel. If I get to a point where I can make a contribution to the music industry, I
wont hesitate.