ThesisDo you believe that one's words can be reflected in the action of a certain person? Today, rap has become the most popular type of music in the United States. The rap industry is dominated by artists who primarily dedicate their lyrics to violence, drugs or sex. Between 1998 and 1999 the survey conducted by the National Music Bureau stated that 46% of rap listeners were under the age of 19. While 65% of listeners live in dilapidated houses or poor areas, usually being inner cities. The National Music Bureau also reported that of the 66% of rap listeners who are under the age of 19, 86% of these teenagers are black. Along with this fact, many artists sing about their ghettos and past lifestyles, which included drugs, sex, murder, and alcohol. Rap listeners who live in inner-city slums see themselves in the same situation as many rap artists and duplicate what they hear. So, even though a person may be responsible for his or her own actions, rap music dramatically influences the lives of America's inner cities and slums. Nowadays, one of the biggest problems in America has become teenage pregnancy. 68% of 18-year-olds have had sexual intercourse, while half of 17-year-olds have had sexual intercourse. In addition to that, 6 out of 10 girls between the ages of 18 and 19 get pregnant. As teen pregnancy rates continue to rise, rappers continue to rap and call themselves "Playa's" and rap about their "bitches" and sexual encounters. In a song called "The BIG" Notorious BIG AKA Biggie Smalls says "Please don't shoot, 'cause one of these women will have my baby." Of the 66% of rap listeners under the age of 19, 26% are women. Biggie promotes sexual activity and a bad message is sent to all women. Another important fact is that every year 3 million adolescents; approximately 1 in 4 sexually experienced adolescents acquires a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Another rapper, "Masta' Pimp", starts each song by saying "Pimpin' Aint Easy!" In a Masta' Pimp song called "The Way of Life", Masta' Pimp says "From the ghetto to where all my assholes are, I'll ride all my life, f$%# from condoms, 'cause I f$%@ all those bitches for life." While Masta' Pimp talks about his "hooches" in his ghetto, 60% of sexually active adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19... middle of paper... in the cities of New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Los Angeles , Las Vegas and Detroit. Furthermore, in 37% of violent crimes committed in urban centers, the offender was under the influence of some type of drug, usually marijuana. The bureau also said that in 20% of unplanned pregnancies one of the participants was intoxicated. And 92% of the time the baby is born with a deformity. When researching the type of effect rap has on America's inner cities, there is only one conclusion to come to. Yes, many people might say that people should be able to take responsibility for their actions, but statistics and eyewitness meetings have proven that rap has a negative effect on America's inner cities. Works Cited1) Bureau of Justice Statistics2) http://www.ojp.udoj.gov/bjs/cvcivtgen.htm – Criminal Victimization3) Quick Facts: Teenage Sex and Paganism http://www.agi-usa.org/pubs /fb_teen_sex. html4) Encarta 98 ​​Encyclopedia5) Groilers Encyclopedia6) Violent Crimes: Drugs and Alcohol http://www.rom.pubs/atest/org.html 7) The Official Website of Music Television http://www.mtv.com 8) The National Office of Music Distribution http://www.nbmd.musc.org.html