Introduction

I am a graduating senior of East High School, and I would like to tell you a little information about myself. I was born in Detroit, Michigan, and my family and i moved to Memphis when I was one. I attended Rozelle Creative and Performing Arts Elementary School, where I a part of the dance program. I started playing basketball when I was five years old. After graduating from Rozelle, I then went on to attend East High School where my older sister, Amy, attended attended as well. As a seventh grader, I made straight A's all the time. I joined the Jr high basketball team. For having having good grades, I received what they call the Paul Robeson award. I also received a honor roll and Principal's list certificate. While in high school, I am a member of the National Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Technology Student Association, soccer team, basketball team, volleyball team, and track team. I was also apart of this group called the Memphis Challenge/National Society of Black Engineers.

My future goals after high school are to attend college and pursue a career in Computer Engineering. I want to be an engineer because they are not many African-American females in the industry. Also, it has been my interest since I was a part of the technology program at school. Last year, I was on a team that went to Las Vegas for Engineering Nationals. One of the teams that I was apart of won first place in the Tri-Math-A-Lon and the other team won second place in the Engineering Design Competition. The following summer, two boys from White Station High School and I were interviewed by Dr. Kriner Cash. I enjoyed researching my topic of the "Influence of Hip-Hop Rappers on Children." This Capstone project has really been an experience for me throughout my senior year of high school, and I am looking forward to continuing my education through college.

Abstract

Thesis: While most youth of the 21st century have indulged in the likings of hip-hop, its influence has affected them both negatively and positively.

The student's capstone project discusses the negative and positive effects about hip- hop on adolescents and their behavior. The first paragraph tells the history of hip- hop, where it was born, and the purpose. The third and forth paragraphs answer the most needed question, " Is hip- hop responsible for the influences in our children?" This writer's research paper thoroughly explains the negative aspects of rap/ hip- hop in terms of their style, behavior, bad habits. The learner then tells the positive aspects about rap/ hip-hop by using the "T.I" scenario. She discusses how he is arrested for weapon possessions, but he after being released he appeared in the community to speak with his younger fans about his mistake and how he will take full responsibility for his actions. The rapper stresses how it is important to always to be responsible for anything you do. The other paragraphs just backs up the main point of the research paper. The final conclusion paragraph explains that hip-hop is more than just a song by rappers. Hip- hop is a business that is vastly rising and it has negative effects as well as positive effects on its listeners and fans.

Annotated Bibliography

1. Block, Writerz. “African American Art: Influence of Hip Hop in the Community. http://www.associateddocument.com/article/54412/african_american_art_influence_of_hip.html?cat=33
This is about how hip hop is the most controversial categories of today’s existing music. When the words “Rap” or “Hip-Hop” are spoken of, many older people immediately begin to disapprove of it. At one point in time, two rappers had two sides of the world disliking one another. Because many of those people were mislead about the influences of music, some artist have gone on record to tell their fans to “not do what I do.” Somehow the younger and less informed crowds still continue to do the same. In some cases rappers are paid to express their beliefs amongst the categories of: violence, racism, poverty, and love. Not all artists and lyrics have the same intentions when they go to work. There is still music out in the world that can be influenced on a much more positive note. There is nothing wrong with listening to any other flavor of music. The thing is not to allow it to influence you beyond the boundary of what living a good life is.

2. Block, Writerz. “Is Hip Hop Responsible for the Wrongful Influences in Our Children?”
http://www.associateddocument.com/article/129474/is_hip_hop_responsible_for_the_wrongful.html/cat=4
As I read the article, it says that some parents are protesting and ethically banning hip-hop as nothing more than “music with an attitude.” Some adults say that rap music is the reason their kids are wearing their clothes hanging off their butts. The article goes along and asks how can we blame hip-hop artists for the things they say on their records and the fact that it is followed out by our kids today? Not only does rap music contain influencing elements, but so does all other genres of music. So the question is “why is it that Hip-Hop is the only one held accountable?’ It is also said that music can be an inspiration to the right listeners. Because of the less parental guidance towards the kids, it is much easier to just blame the voice behind the microphone

3. Iandoli, Kathy. “Game Theory” The Source Magazine
This article is mainly about Jayceon Taylor, known as “The Game”, and people thinking that he is all about controversy and not about the rap game. As I go on and read, The Game says that controversy is like comedy to him. He goes on to say that for his entire career he has been fighting for his own existence, not really starting beefs. Also in the article, he talks about how he didn’t start the beef with 5ocent, that it was all just a misunderstanding between teacher and protégé. The article goes along and says that The Game is finally at peace with his place in the world and that “He would not advise anyone to become a hip-hop artist, definitely not a controversial one.” He has reached the grown man portion in his career and he’s not going to change for no one.

4. Killion, Chris. “Experts debate hip-hop’s influence on American culture, youth, for better or for worse.” 13 May 2005 http://newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/55516
Rap music can have either positive or negative effects, according to some experts. In today’s society, rap has become a poplar genre. Rap originated in the 1970's in South Bronx. It is said that hip-hop encompasses everything from dance and fashion to music. It has also been said that rap is the vocal lyrical characteristic of hip-hop. Emmett Price, a professor at Northeastern University in Boston says, “It is a known fact that hip-hop has taken over, in the sense, the mainstream youth culture. It has been an ongoing debate on whether hip-hop, mostly rap, has a negative or positive influence. Studies have been done that show a connection between rap music and increased criminal behavior, sexual activity, and drug use. Some experts have come to agree that rap’s greatest effects are on children. A principal of an elementary school say that a lot of young people listen to the rappers lyrics and take their word as law. It is said that many of the children today come from broken homes look up to the rapper. They “live what learn and learn what they live.”

5. Watson, Dre. “The King Is Back!” Hip Hop Weekly
In this article, Watson talks about Clifford “T.I” Harris finally getting out of prison. This article is portraying the very poplar hip-hop artist T.I. as if he is returning from a vacation. The title itself is making him out to be some kind of hero by labeling him as the “KING”. This alone indirectly says to young people that the charge was a slap on the wrist. He was charged with possession of machine guns and silencers. He was favored a deal such as, being eligible to be released after completing only ten months of his sentence, sentenced to 365 days of home confinement, 3 years of supervised release, 1500 hours of community service, and fined $100,300 for weapons, because prosecutors believed that his standing as a role model for many troubled youth would be helpful if he was able to speak to them on the dangers of guns and violence in the urban community.

Reflection

"The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes," "Benjamin Disraeli." Capstone was a very enjoyable project to work on. When I started doing the project, I was sort of upset because I had to do this big project in my senior year. As I was working on the project, I saw how helpful it was to me and it was preparing me for the next level. I have had a wonderful Capstone Project journey, and I wish it did not have to end.

During the project, I learned about many different affects that artists have on today's youth. The two main affects were, negative and positive influences. Some negative influences lead to a high rise of crime among black youths in the United States. A positive influence is Clifford 'T.I.' Harris, because although he was in prison, when he was released he did positive things such as, speak to troubled youth on the dangers of guns and violence in the community. One skill that I learned while doing this work was how to correctly research and cite my sources. All in all, my Capstone Project journey was a success. My senior year has been great, but the experiences with Capstone have made it even better.