Listening to rap can get you 6 months in jail

There is no question in my mind that what is mainstream rap music today is a glorification to drugs, violence, and disrespect. Even so it is not illegal to listen to it. That is until today. Now, rap music can land you in jail for 6 months.

Yes, the mere act of listening to rap music can cause you to go to jail... if you live in Sao Lourenco, Brazil. Because Mayor Jose Neto has now outlawed this form of music being played during Carnival. It seems he feels that the music

"...incite violence and disrespect authority..."

Well I don't think there is a fan or foe of rap music that would disagree with the disrespect authority part. That's a core element in rap music since 1993 - when music industry executives figured out they could market rap to the inner city and make boatloads of money. And it's just an odd coincidence that the rate of teen pregnancy, high school dropouts, and youth violence among people of color increased dramatically since that time too.

As much as I dislike rap music, with good reason, I must say that I think Mayor Neto has gone too far though. Controling a form of art, as putrid as it may be, is nothing more than control of thought. Such an act should never be done by the government, anywhere.

Mayor Neto is correct, in my opinion, that rap music is a poison to society. That given the right atmosphere, like say a party where almost anything is acceptable and potentially possible, rap music fans will tend to find a way to create a problem where none exists. Especially those hard core fans that want to be 'ghettofabulous' and live a 'thug life' - in essence idiots.

Is the answer jail though?

I think not. It will give those who choose to be outside the society a justification for their actions. It will cause those that want a way to rebel without a serious belief in what they are doing a cause to follow. It will draw people to the music just because they are told to stay away from it.

That's one of the problems of gangsta rap (or what the music industry calls mainstream rap today). It thrives on the realization that it is poison. The execs that promote it know this and don't care because it's not their kids or neighborhoods that are going to crap. The minstrels that perform it don't care because they are selling their souls for pennies on the dollar literally.

I understand the view of Mayor Neto. I agree with his description of rap. But his solution seems too extreme. Still, at least he is doing something about it.