The romanticization of drugs within contemporary media has become an unfortunate norm within our society. From cinema to modern music, it seems the abuse and romanticization of drug use has plagued our youth. Rap music seems to be a major contributor in this regard as the music is heavily drug centered and encourages substance abuse. An example in this realm is Travis Scott’s song “sdp interlude”.
Despite the song acting as a buffer on his album, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight the song is seen featuring themes of substance abuse and the glamorization of drug paraphernalia. The lyrics “Smoke some, drink some, pop one” entice the youth and their idols appear to cultivate this feeling of indulging in drugs in order to feel connected and mirror their idols. Consequently, the upcoming youth is addled by this predicament as all mainstream media they consume coerces them into this slippery slope of substance abuse and drug dependency.
Considering the amount of increase in substance abuse by Gen Z teens, it has detrimental effects on our society. Cases of rappers getting shot, going to jail and overdosing are common to the profession and since people idealize these rappers, they tend to follow same trends as them. More awareness should be spread about who and what one idolizes and is it influencing them or not. Furthermore, drug prevention and awareness should be added before the songs video, or on the album cover along with the sign of Parental Advisory.
I agree with some of the points that you have made and will disagree with some. You are right, musicians and rappers use the drugs in the lyrics but we cannot blame them for the whole debate on drugs. They are writing songs from their personal experiences and maybe it reflects more of the pressure and emotional instability that comes from the stress of their work. This is the very reason that most of the people can relate with it and these songs get billions of views. I agree with your point that they should include the consequences of substance abuse.
I think talking about representation of drugs can often be a very complex topic. For many of these artist talking about drugs is also a way to represent their own communities and what has impacted them whilst using these substances. I think when it comes to art and the repercussions of art we really need to remember that the conversation that is happening through music is also about the artist's experiences of their own life and that can be very problematic but regardless of it being so the nature of their reality merits that they are willing to have a conversation about it and music like this can be a great way to start that conversation with the caveat that…