Hip Hop Music's Influence On Urban Adolescents

At-Risk youth in need of intervention oftentimes do not seek proper help and instead deal with their issues and frustrations internally, turning to music (specifically Hip Hop/Rap) as an outlet in response to the poor social conditions in their environment (Alvarez, 2012). There is a direct correlation between where a young person is raised (relating to their SES) and their social/emotional outcomes. Urban youth who grow up in poverty and/or are exposed to violence and drugs, are likely to be at a disadvantage from the very start and are more prone to negative social and emotional outcomes, including low self esteem. (Leventhal, Brooks-Gunn, 2000 & Alvarez, 2012).
Rap and Hip Hop music has a strong influence on minorities and adolescents from urban areas by offering them an
(Alvarez, 2012). Feeling trapped in a poor neighborhood and possessing a dream to become successful and create a life of their own is often a theme in Hip Hop that not only resonates with the younger urban generation, but often acts as inspiration for them to aspire to become greater than where they come from (Alvarez, 2012 & Levy, 2012). Though lyrics may contain violent aspects and misogynistic undertones, urban adolescents are un-phased because it is something that they may see everyday, and it is important for them to know that they are not alone (Levy, 2012 & Travis, 2013). When they engage with this music, youth from low income neighborhoods or of ethnic/minority backgrounds, often form a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them which inherently provides them with a more positive outlook on their future and in turn, an increase in their self esteem (Kobin & Tyson, 2006). They will be able to manifest the lyrics and their dreams into something tangible, on the road to interpersonal development (Levy,