ThesisDo you believe that one person's words can reflect a certain person's action? Today, rap has become the most popular type of music in the United States. The rap industry is dominated by artists who primarily devote their lyrics to violence, drugs or sex. Between 1998 and 1999, the survey carried out by the National Music Bureau revealed that 46% of Rap listeners were under 19 years old. While 65% of listeners live in dilapidated houses or poor areas, usually located within cities. The National Music Bureau also reported that of the 66% of rap listeners under the age of 19, 86% of those teens are black. Along with this, many artists sing about their ghettos and past lifestyles, including drugs, sex, murder and alcohol. Rap listeners living in low-income, inner-city neighborhoods see themselves in the same situation as many rap artists and reproduce what they hear. So, while a person may be responsible for their actions, rap music significantly affects life in America's inner cities and slums. One of the biggest problems in America today is teenage pregnancy. 68% of 18-year-olds have had sex, while half of 17-year-olds have had sex. Additionally, 6 out of 10 girls aged 18 to 19 become pregnant. As teen pregnancy rates continue to rise, rappers continue to rap and call themselves "Playa's" and rap about their "bitches" and sexual encounters. In a song called "The BIG", Notorious BIG AKA Biggie Smalls says "Please don't shoot your guns 'cause one of these ladies is gonna have my baby." Of the 66% of rap listeners under the age of 19, 26% are women. Biggie is promoting sexual activity and the wrong message is being sent to all women. Another important fact is that every year, 3 million adolescents; approximately 1 in 4 sexually experienced adolescents contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Another rapper, "Masta' Pimp", starts each song by saying "Pimpin' Aint Easy!" » In a Masta' Pimp song called "The Way of Life", Masta' Pimp says: "From the ghetto to where all my hoes are, I'll ride for life, f$%# with condoms , because I'm going to f$%@ all the bitches for life. While Masta' Pimp talks about his "whores" in his ghetto, 60% of sexually active teenagers aged 15 to 19...... middle of newspaper...... in the cities of New York, Chicago , Washington DC, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Detroit. Additionally, in 37% of violent crimes committed in inner cities, the offender used a drug, usually marijuana. The office also said it was proven that in 20 percent of unplanned pregnancies, one of the participants was intoxicated. And in 92% of cases, the baby had a malformation. When studying the impact of rap on America's inner cities, there is only one conclusion to draw. Yes, many people may say that people should be able to take responsibility for their own actions, but statistics and eyewitness accounts have proven that rap has a negative effect on America's inner cities. Statistics2) http://www.ojp.udoj.gov/bjs/cvcivtgen.htm – Criminal Victimization3) Quick Facts: Teen Sex and Paganism http://www.agi-usa.org/pubs/fb _ teen_ sex. html4) Encarta Encyclopedia 985) Groilers Encyclopedia6) Violent Crime: Drugs and Alcohol http://www.rom.pubs/atest/org.html 7) The Music Television Official Website http://www.mtv.com 8 ) The National Office of