Have you ever stopped to wonder about the content that floods your ears when you tune in to the radio, stream music, or catch up on the latest hits? Some lyrics make you think about life in a very meaningful way, and some are just funny and make you laugh. But then, there are also lyrics that make you stop your jam session because they are too rude or bold to be spoken in public.
The truth is, what you’re listening to might not just be music; it could be a form of verbal pornography. In recent times, there’s been a worrying shift in the entertainment industry, where explicit, degrading, and hypersexualized lyrics have become the norm. Yes, verbal pornography in music is a thing, and it exists. The question is, what’s driving this trend, and what impact is it having on the young minds of today? We at KMEB are here to find the answer to this question with you. Let’s unveil the truth behind the hit songs.
What Exactly Is Verbal Pornography?
Verbal pornography refers to song lyrics, rap verses, or spoken word pieces that contain excessive sexual content vulgar language, or promote explicit themes without adding any depth or substance to the art form. Verbal pornography is not about being narrow-minded or censorship; it’s more about drawing the line between artistic expression and verbal exploitation. And the irony here is that many of the mainstream artists are promoting verbal pornography in their music even though they do realize its effects on young minds, yet they claim to care about the youth.
What’s Driving This Trend?
Let’s delve into the factors that are fueling the rise of verbal pornography:
● Profit Over Artistry
The music industry is a business, and like any other business, it seeks profit. Explicit content often sells, and record labels are inclined to promote artists who generate high returns. Thus, the focus shifts from the quality of the music to the shock value of the lyrics. No matter how sad, this is the reality of today’s music.
● Changing Listener Demands
Are listeners demanding more explicit content, or are they being fed a diet of it? It’s a chicken-and-egg situation. Sometimes, when explicit content becomes the norm, listeners adapt, and artists push the boundaries further. So there’s no single party we can blame here, but you do know who is playing a significant role here.
● Media Exposure
Mainstream radio and online platforms play a substantial role in popularizing music. Artists who produce explicit content often get more airtime, and this excessive exposure can make explicit lyrics seem like the industry standard.
● Peer Pressure And Identity
Young listeners are particularly susceptible to the influence of peers and the media. It’s very expected of kids at such a ripe age to feel that embracing explicit content is a way to fit in or assert their identity. This race is not about winning but about not being left behind.
The Impact On Young Minds
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room, aka the impact of verbal pornography on young minds. How is this trend affecting the next generation?
Desensitization: Exposure to explicit content can desensitize young listeners to real-world issues. It can blur the line between what’s acceptable and what’s not.
Objectification: Hypersexualized lyrics often objectify individuals, perpetuating a harmful narrative. Young minds can internalize these messages, impacting their views on relationships, consent, and gender roles.
Normalization Of Inappropriate Behavior: When explicit content becomes normalized, young listeners may believe such behavior is acceptable or even expected. This can lead them to do inappropriate things, and they might end up hurting themselves and others.
Lack of Depth: Verbal pornography often lacks the depth and artistry that make music so impactful. It also reduces music to a shallow, repetitive form that fails to inspire or provoke thought, and just like that, kids learn not to take things seriously.
How Can We Address This Issue?
It’s essential to acknowledge that music, as an art form, has always been a platform for artists to express themselves. Censorship is not the answer. Instead, we can consider the following approaches.
- Teach young listeners to critically analyze the content they consume.
- Encourage them to question what they hear and understand that not everything in music is a reflection of real life.
- Promote a diverse range of artists who produce meaningful, lyrically rich music. Encourage the industry to support those who don’t rely on explicit content for success.
- Parents can play a vital role by monitoring their children’s exposure to explicit content and discussing the messages within the music.
- Celebrate artists who use their platform to advocate for positive change and raise awareness about the impact of explicit content.
KMEB Cares!
At KMEB, we understand that our future lies in the hands of our youth and stand against verbal pornography with all that we have. We care about our listeners and their well-being, especially the younger generation. This is why we have taken it upon ourselves to provide our listeners with an alternative to this vulgar music.
Both we and our artists respect the boundaries of artistry and decency when it comes to the art you know by the name of music. We believe music can connect people in many ways and that verbal pornography is no way to do so.
Here’s The Takeaway Message
Music has always held the power to inspire, heal, and provoke thought. It can be a force for change and an avenue for self-expression. As listeners, we have the responsibility to demand more from our music. Let’s seek out and support artists who use their talents to create content that elevates the human experience.
Verbal pornography may be the trend of the day, but it doesn’t have to define our musical landscape. Let’s be mindful consumers and celebrate music that enriches our souls and broadens our horizons. If not, we’ll be leaving our youth at a very vulnerable end that will only lead to more destruction.