Gangsta Rap, Censorship of Options

[Hell-Rell]

Should the government censor lyrics of songs that are violent or expletive, for example “gangsta”rap?

There is an ongoing debate about the impact of music on certain listeners – especially music such as « gangsta » rap, with lyrics linked to violence and illegal acts. There is widespread disagreement, for example between the music industry and parents’ groups, about the effect such music has on young listeners, and their behaviour, i.e. does it encourage them to behave in a particular way?


I think that Government censorship is a dangerous form of statist control. Even if one accepts the argument for some limited form of government censorship to protect public morals, this needs to be very precisely and conservatively defined to avoid the slippery slope towards creeping totalitarianism. Allowing censorship of popular culture on grounds that the lyrics are mildly subversive is unwelcome as it incorporates a very expansive view of the proper ambit of government regulation. This issue is properly the concern of parents, who should take more interest in, and responsibility for, the music (and films, TV, internet use) to which their children are exposed.

[*not_your_average*]

I don't think a certain form of music is going to influence kids in a certain way. I am against censorship, just as you are, and I feel that the "explicit" label on an album with questionable lyrics should simply be a warning to parents. If their kids choose to buy the album, that's not a governmental issue. That's between the kids and their parents.

There are many factors that motivate someone to commit a crime. I highly doubt a Snoop Dogg album is going to influence them to do that.