Abstract
This paper discusses how rap music currently enjoys the status of mouthpiece for society's rebels and how, since the music of Elvis, various forms of music have pushed the boundaries of acceptability and decency in culture. It provides a short historical overview of this musical genre, followed by a consideration of its significance for society. It shows that, while it is true that some rap artists have broken rules and norms, not only in their music, but also in their lifestyles, it is also true that other rap musicians attempt to use their art to uplift society.

From the Paper
"Rap artists such as Eminem (Marshall Mathers), Ice Tea, and others have reveled in the controversy raised by their explicit and violent lyrics. According to Fields, the results of social shortcomings are portrayed in the darkest and most explicit way possible by many rap artists. This serves not only as a window to the sad childhood worlds many of these artists come from, but also as an incentive to uphold and fight for conservative social values. Indeed, broken families where the father is absent, children illegitimate, and welfare the only income, more often than not make the world in which the average rapper grew up. The desperate alienation created by this situation finds its expression in violent rap lyrics (Fields)."

Tags:eminem, ice, tea, lifestyle, culture

Abstract
This paper presents a detailed business and marketing plan for a new start-up in the music world. The paper shows how the company hopes to fill the void left by Napster and other companies which offered MP3 technology - the ability to download music digitally and listen to it on your PC. Point examined in the paper are the background and scope of the market, the mission statement of the company, SWOT analysis, competition analysis, media and advertising, distribution and pricing strategies.

From the Paper
"Stromner Music Inc. is a new business start-up developed from a demand created by the recent introduction of MP3s and the issues of piracy and copyright violations involved in the Music Industry vs. Napster Case. MP3 is a technology that allows people to download music in digital format and listen to it on their PC. Songs, books and video clips can be uploaded onto the net and millions of people can download them for free. This new technology has created a controversy over copyrights and the issue of piracy of shared CDs. Stromner Music, Inc. will offer a solution to the this controversy by offering a service to which people subscribe and pay for downloading an MP3, which will then be able to be converted into a CD using a CD burner. The producers and artists will receive their royalties from this service, just as if they were buying CDs from a local music store."

Tags:market, business, strategy, advertising, distribution, SWOT, mission, statement, napster, competition, computer

Abstract
Rock and Roll music was both influenced by and influenced the youth movement of the 1960s. The beginnings of Rock music during the 1950s were actually quite rebellious and controversial. This paper puts the development of rock music into a cultural and historical context, drawing on examples such as Wynonnie Harris, Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Bob Dylan. The paper also mentions beatniks and the psychadelic counterculture.

From the Paper
"Rock and Roll music broke into the forefront of American culture as the baby boomer generation came of age. During the 1950s, the new musical style helped young people begin to rebel against their parents' generation in a stylistic, subtle, and symbolic way, generating more differences and encouraging a widening of the generation gap. Popular culture tends to disregard the 1950s as a sterile and orderly decade, however, the youth of the 1950s were beginning to rebel much more drastically and blatantly than we are led to believe, and more so than what remains as the lasting image in the historical memory of Americans who were alive at that time. While this music that we now call "oldies" seems so boring and unhip by today's standards, the earliest Rock and Roll music contained sexual implications and a gift of immediate gratification that spoke to the so-called juvenile delinquents of the time. By the early Sixties and the beginnings of the "movement," Rock and Roll music had already established itself as a successful form of cultural radicalism, that is, an individuality of spirit and expressive form of defiance against the norm. (The "movement" collectively refers a shift to the "New Left" which supported the Civil Rights Movement, was against the Vietnam War, and opposed the Old Left Liberal methods of working within the system to end poverty and racism by means of a technocracy.) The more the youth rebelled, the more the music changed to suit this rebellion. The lyrics became more overtly political and explicit, and Rock and Roll music began to "evolve out of artistic necessity," when new ways to rebel were necessary, in order to keep on rebelling, as it were. Folk musicians began to blend their lyrics and style with Rock music, and wrote songs that were true reflections and reactions to the times and responded to the changing world. By the mid 60s, a youth "counterculture" hit the scene, and Rock and Roll had split into two breeds of music: one which served an industry and popular culture, and another type of music for political activism, which eventually infused itself in the drug-laden hippie subculture."

Tags:50s, 60s, counterculture, fifties, harris, roll, sixties

Abstract
This paper examines the British rock band invasion of the United States during the 1960?s. It specifically details the numerous aspects of society during that period, such as current events, that affected these bands (The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who, etc.) and how their music reflected on the culture of the time. The author discusses The Vietnam War, the anti-war movement, hippies, drug use- all influences on the bands.

From the Paper
"Since the 1960's was a time period in which sex, love, violence, and drugs were running rampant, it is evident that some of these social factors of the time period had an effect on these bands. The Beatles and the Rolling Stones were two of the most popular British Invasion bands in both the United States and The United Kingdom at the time. They are also prime examples of social factors have affected the music of the time period. The Vietnam War, which was directly related to the Hippie Movement, was one factor that had an effect. Mass drug use of the time period was also a factor that had a major influence on the British Invasion bands."

Tags:beatles, drug, marijuana, rock, rolling, stones, hippies, vietnam

Abstract
This paper examines the effects of violent music as debated in Congress, the American Psychological Association, and parents, over why violent music encourages violence, especially rap and rock music.

From the Paper
"In the aftermath of the Columbine High School shootings, fingers quickly pointed at the violent media favored by the killers: violent video games, Quentin Tarantino films, Marilyn Manson music. For decades, violent lyrics and themes in popular music have been targeted for being responsible for almost every social ill- from school violence to teenagers increasing disrespect towards their parents."

Tags:kids, lyrics, music, violence, congress, american, psychological, association, apa, rap, rock

Abstract
This paper looks at rap music and its influence on today's youth, especially in the black community. It looks at the history of rap music, the lyrics and examines both its proponents and opponents. The lifestyles of the artists themselves are examined, as is the message they send, and the affect they have on their audience, whether intentional, or not.

From the Paper
"However, life often imitates art. Gangsta rap, a type of rap music made most popular by Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, glorifies violence such as murder, rape, and stealing. These two men in particular are role models to millions of young children who saw both of these icons die by way of gun violence. Despite their deaths, rap music continues to portray gang life and violence as something trendy and "cool". Drug use is also constantly glorified - west coast rappers such as Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre popularized the marijuana leaf in their lyrics; so much so that t-shirts, hats and bumper stickers with the bright green leaves were sold all over the country. I cannot fathom that the promotion of such illegal activities can bring about any positive results. Whether they desire to be or not, these entertainers are role models to young children and older teens. Their influence upon such impressionable minds is being used to desensitize their lives regarding violence, guns, gangs and drug use while glorifying life without a father, living on welfare and spending time in jail."

Tags:hip, hop, ganster, rap, entertainers, shakur, tupac, youth, black, conservative, liberal, lyrics, ganstar, records, society, african, american, nigger, violence, rape

Abstract
Popular music, as demonstrated in the movie "Boogie Nights", can be utilised to generate added meaning for the narrative. Time and place contexts are established and asserted, and connotations brought forth by lyrics inform the narrative, working with the onscreen action to generate new meanings and character motivations. This paper discusses how "Boogie Nights" has a tight synthesis with its music and the way it is arranged and the particular pieces which are chosen, reflect the central themes of change and accepting who you are and what you have to offer, as well as performing a metaphoric or comical purpose. It shows how this effectively demonstrates how popular music, in the (near) absence of a classical score can interact with the film text in a meaningful way.

From the Paper
"The popular song score operates in a different way from the classical film score, with seemingly more specific purposes based on its lyrical content. Popular Music utilises cultural contexts and linguistic content to create meaning. Coupled with an image the popular song's lyrics can be used as pun, ironic counterpoint or provide commentary or insight into character thought and motivation. The music of Boogie Nights works to fulfil the above functions, denoting, as only popular music could, the trends and transitions of music and fashion over several years, as well as articulating the thematic concerns of the film and acting as guide through the unfamiliar world."

Tags:counterpoint, ironic, popular

Abstract
This paper reviews the movie "8 Mile", a fictionalized version of the Detroit rapper, Eminem's life, where the white hip-hop singer overcomes the black skeptics with his undeniable skills. The paper discusses how the movie tells about growing up, how people relate to their peers and finding ways out of seemingly hopeless situations. The paper shows that the movie is not so much about Eminem's rise to fame, but rather revolves around the quest for respect.

From the Paper
"David Elliot (2002) compares Eminem to a young James Dean. Elliot speaks well of Eminem's role by saying, "he has a laser stare and a smart, gravely centered presence, even if it's a stretch when he piles furiously into black guys double his size. Like Dean's, Eminem's rage and brooding is offset by tenderness." His honesty in dealing with people who make fun of him and criticize his efforts depicts how a person can overcome obstacles and ridicule by working hard and persevering. The movie held my interests as I enjoyed seeing how he battled controversy while engaging in loud verbal battles with various characters who continued to compare him to Vanilla Ice."

Tags:Waldron-Mantgani, Kim, Basinger

Abstract
An examination of the effect of Elvis Presley's career and life had on American society and culture. It discusses how his music transformed rock n' roll not only in how it sounded but also in his appearance and sexuality. It further looks at his movie career and how he influenced musicians and entertainers including Madonna.

From the Paper
"Elvis Presley openly acknowledged that black musicians and their unique blend of soul and blues were a major influence in his career. He grew up in a poor household in the rural South. He understood the problems faced by the poor in the South, many of whom were Black. He listened to their music, visited their clubs and bars, and brought their musical form to the attention of the world when he blended it with his country blues."

Tags:Music, Rock n' Roll, Elvis, culture

From the Paper
"Rock recordings and performances since the 1950s have been essentially about freedom and sex. The main derivative source, the blues and rhythm and blues, has always been essentially about freedom and sex. So how does rock portray sex? It is portrayed in all forms, in all deviations, in all fetish manifestations. In the pantheon of song characters and, indeed in the rock world itself, there are cross-dressers, homosexuals, transvestites, prostitutes, groupies and toyboys. There is bondage, incest, one night stands as well as love and marriage. It is all there and more. Yet there is a constant battle among critics and observers that has raged since rock's beginnings about how gender and sexuality is and should be portrayed. Generally, Rock and Roll tends to polarize opinion and has a tendency to push even the most objective observer into fits of subjective raving."

Tags:blues, cock, contemporary, evolution, feminine, grrrl, music, pop, riot, rock