Kelly Hales WST 3015
February 28, 2010
Nina Perez
Word Count: 355
February 28, 2010
Nina Perez
Word Count: 355
Behind The Music
The famous rapper Eminem was most influential in the late 90's. He is known for his severely graphic and aggressive lyrics. Usually, the graphic nature of his songs are accompanied by inappropriate noises such as the dragging of a dead body, his daughter crying, him drowning someone, or forcing them into the trunk of his car.
In the song "97 Bonnie and Clyde" Eminem takes out his aggression on his ex wife by clearly stating his intentions to end her life. By doing so, he will create the perfect life for himself and his infant daughter; as stated in the chorus "just the two of us, just you and I."
There is no official music video created for this particular song, however, there are several videos displayed with this song playing in the background. In the video provided, Eminem is displayed in numerous photos with his daughter. He is embracing her and clearly loves her an immense amount, however the content that she is exposed to is something I would consider detrimental to her.
In terms of violence, this song is incredibly offensive to both women and children. He explains how he murdered the mother of his child by slitting her throat and throwing her in the trunk of their car in clear view of his baby daughter. He describes how he is taking her body to the beach to dispose of it while explaining to his daughter that the death of her is better, that they will have a much better life without her. This is interesting because while Eminem is perpetuating systems of violence against women, he is obviously wanting to take over the motherly duties expected of women in society. Domestic violence is among the most common forms of violence. "For many women and children, however, home is not a safe place but one where they experience emotional or physical violence" (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 260).
The lyrics and ideas that Eminem promotes are quite frightening. Teenagers obsess over his music and listen to it on a daily basis. These teens will listen to this music and begin to think that what he raps about is acceptable because they are incredibly influenced by popular media. It has been stated regarding media that "the line between information and entertainment is blurred" (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 60). The youth of today and taking these lyrics and applying them to their everyday life.
In the song "97 Bonnie and Clyde" Eminem takes out his aggression on his ex wife by clearly stating his intentions to end her life. By doing so, he will create the perfect life for himself and his infant daughter; as stated in the chorus "just the two of us, just you and I."
There is no official music video created for this particular song, however, there are several videos displayed with this song playing in the background. In the video provided, Eminem is displayed in numerous photos with his daughter. He is embracing her and clearly loves her an immense amount, however the content that she is exposed to is something I would consider detrimental to her.
In terms of violence, this song is incredibly offensive to both women and children. He explains how he murdered the mother of his child by slitting her throat and throwing her in the trunk of their car in clear view of his baby daughter. He describes how he is taking her body to the beach to dispose of it while explaining to his daughter that the death of her is better, that they will have a much better life without her. This is interesting because while Eminem is perpetuating systems of violence against women, he is obviously wanting to take over the motherly duties expected of women in society. Domestic violence is among the most common forms of violence. "For many women and children, however, home is not a safe place but one where they experience emotional or physical violence" (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 260).
The lyrics and ideas that Eminem promotes are quite frightening. Teenagers obsess over his music and listen to it on a daily basis. These teens will listen to this music and begin to think that what he raps about is acceptable because they are incredibly influenced by popular media. It has been stated regarding media that "the line between information and entertainment is blurred" (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 60). The youth of today and taking these lyrics and applying them to their everyday life.
References
Kirk, Gywn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Violence Against Women". Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. New York: McGraw Hill, 2009.
Kirk, Gywn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Theories and Theorizing: Integrative Frameworks for Understanding". Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. New York: McGraw Hill, 2009.
Kirk, Gywn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Theories and Theorizing: Integrative Frameworks for Understanding". Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. New York: McGraw Hill, 2009.
I was never interested in this type of music, but I knew many people who are or were. I agree that it is harmful for young listeners because it could desensitize them to the ideas of violence. If it is presented to them in this way, they may not think violence is a good thing but could still accept it and not think anything needs to be done about it.
ReplyDeleteHey Kelly...I like the idea you presented about Eminem wanting to take over a motherly duty by taking care of his daughter. It's a really interesting paradox that he is so hateful and angry towards one female, and yet loving and tender towards another, which makes me think that the song is less misogynistic violence and more just generally violent.
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