A Sneak Peek to Music and Youth

Topic: How Music Affects Youths' Mindset

I personally believe that music does affect youths' mindsets because the majority of youth that I work with listen to Hip-Hop and R&B, and I can see how it changes them. Because they're so young, they're easily influenced. Kids will say "True.." because the rapper 2 Chainz says it. Drake brought up "YOLO!" and so teenagers started saying it. Not only does their speech change but their appearance does too. A while back Nelly came up with the song "Grills" and everybody was almost obsessed with wearing grills, talking about grills, and repeated the lyrics from Grills.  Not only does this happen with R&B/Hip-Hop music but it also happens with Rock, Alternative, and other genres of music. Not only does their speech and appearance (which also includes changing hair color, makeup styles, and clothes you wear)change but their mentality does as well. Whatever the artist says in the song, youths repeat it because they listen to it over and over again. Not only is the song on repeat, but youths begin to think that it's "cool" to practice what the artist is saying. This movement may happen in little steps but the outcome is the same- youth change to "fit in" with the majority.

I chose this topic because I've been working with youth for such a long time and I've seen how much of an influence music plays on them. My plan is to ask a youth worker, a parent, 2 students, and a community organizer to see what kind of answers they give and if anyone disagrees. I picked these people because they all listen to different types of music as well as work with youth that listen to different music. I expect to recieve very similar answers but also maybe a hint of disagreement. My first 2 interviews are today and I can't wait to start!