How Did Michael Jackson Impact Rap Music

The 1980s was an era which witnessed the emergence of early Rap music with specific groups such as N.W.A coming from poverty stricken backgrounds and thus having a far lower socioeconomic status compared to many of the other big stars they were surrounded by. Furthermore, they used this to spread the details of true experiences of those closest to them who had encountered police brutality as a direct result of racist views. Racism was still a huge issue during the 1980s and caused many black singers to become disillusioned and develop the desire to become white. Michael Jackson is a tragic example of how the music culture of the 1980s can have a negative psychological impact on singers. Similar to many singers of the 1980s, Michael faced
His own mother publicly confessed on multiple occasions her concern that her son was developing an addiction to plastic surgery. In 1979 he convinced his sister La Toya to have her nose done and act like his guinea pig for the operation. Later that year, he showed the world his new nose. What I find so deeply tragic is that he attempted to justify the operation as necessary, lying that he broke it during a dance rehearsal. He was ashamed to be honest and admit he was insecure about the size of his nose. Furthermore, Michael had routine appointments he had throughout his lifetime to have his skin bleached by a dermatologist. When confronted by his friend Uri Geller on the subject of the bleaching, Michael argued: “I don’t want to look like my father”. This is indicative of his desire to abandon the culture he was born into in order to transform himself into a completely new person. Michael was evidently traumatised by his upbringing and felt that every time he saw his reflection, it was a constant reminder of the man who abused him. Thus, he felt that to achieve any feeling of closure he needed to completely change his identity and become a ‘white
The gender fluidity which is so widely accepted in the modern music industry is a direct result of Prince and Boy George. Furthermore, this is demonstrated in modern social attitudes as Britain has become a far more tolerant society. Cases in which people have been marginalised or even ostracised because of their sexuality are rapidly diminishing. The rise of social media has made it more challenging for modern society to regain control over negative social and political attitudes. The recent struggles with extremist groups such as Isis radicalising impressionable people through social media has led to disruption between religious communities. However, when singers such as Boy George and Prince use their fame to promote peace, fans feel obliged to listen. Although there has been a clear positive influence made by singers for society. There is the emerging issue of the modern music culture evolving into a drug fuelled environment for destruction and this is a direct result of the irresponsible actions of stars such as Bowie glamorising addiction. The likelihood of a singer within the modern music industry being exposed to narcotic consumption is higher than ever before. Specific cases in the most recent decade of stars such as Amy Winehouse and the rapper Lil Peep dying from overdoses. All of this strongly suggests that the music culture of the