Daily Mail: How rap music has gone from condemning drug use to glorifying it

The number of drug references in rap music has risen sixfold since the genre revolutionised pop music.

Researchers who analysed the lyrics of hundreds of songs say rap has been transformed from one which warned against the dangers of drug abuse to one that routinely glorifies it.

And because many of the references are coded, many parents are unaware what their children are listening to.

"Positive portrayals of drug use have increased over time, and drug references increased overall," said Dr Denise Herd, who led the study.

"This is an alarming trend as rap artists are role models for the nation's youth, especially in urban areas.

"Many of these young people are already at risk and need to get positive messages from the media."

Dr Herd looked for blatant and hidden references to drugs in 341 of the most popular rap songs released between 1979, when the genre was in its infancy, and 1997. Read more
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