How To Stop Listening To Rap Music? Best 51 Answer

Abstract music has accompanied major social events throughout human history. Large gatherings such as weddings, graduations, or birthdays are usually identified by a familiar tune. There is evidence that music plays a large role in emotional processes in the brain. A person’s emotional state of mind can have a direct impact on day-to-day perception and behavior. Studies have shown that music has the ability to regulate a wide range of both positive and negative emotions. This study was conducted to determine the degree of influence music has on aggression across two genre extremes: relaxing yoga music versus aggressive rap music. It was expected that those who listened to yoga music would show lower aggression, while those who listened to rap music would show higher aggression. The results showed that listeners to aggressive rap music performed significantly better on the verbal aggression dimension. These results suggest that aggressive music can make listeners more emotionally aggressive than other types of music.

The relationship between people and music is complex. Ancient Greco-Roman culture believed that music permeates and balances both body and mind. In contrast, late 18th-century Romantic Europeans viewed music as a double-edged sword, capable of both healing and causing disorders (Rose & Bartsch, 2009). It is possible that these societies believed that music possessed “magical” properties due to its inexplicable but observable influence on behavior.

The brain seems to have a natural response to music, leading listeners to toe-tapping, singing out loud, and dancing around. As “magical” as it may seem, there are clear connections between music, the mind, and behavior. In fact, using the latest neuroimaging technology, researchers can observe how the brain processes auditory information when under the influence of music. Parts of the brain that show increased activity include areas such as the hypothalamus, which is responsible for maintaining stress hormone levels, and the hippocampus, the area critical for emotion regulation (Levitin, 2006).

In a PET scan study by Blood and Zatorre (2001), readings showed that music triggers the same neural processes that control the brain’s ability to produce euphoric feelings commonly associated with food, sex, and drugs. Blood and Zatorre also found activations in brain structures related to attention and alertness when listening to music. The brain is able to convert musical auditory information into the stimulation of neural components normally associated with emotion, alertness and euphoria. What was once thought of as “magical” properties of music can now be understood as real activation within structures of the brain on the basis of these findings.

As styles of music evolved, so did the understanding of how certain melodies affect the mind. There is now evidence that listening to music has the potential to stabilize the human psyche by evoking a wide range of both negative and positive emotions. For example, pleasant or relaxing sounds may have the ability to benefit health by reducing stress levels. High levels of stress can destabilize the human psyche and cause disorders such as illness, insomnia, depression or anxiety.

According to research by Bronnimann, Ehlert, Finkel, Marca, Nater, and Thoma (2013), listening to relaxing music helps with stress-related recovery. The participants in this experiment consisted of 60 healthy women between the ages of 20 and 30 years. The study first exposed participants to a psychological stressor, which triggered their body’s stress response. Subjects were then randomly assigned to one of three condition groups after exposure to a stressor: (1) the experimental group heard relaxing music, (2) the control group heard ambient sounds of nature, and (3) another control group experienced no acoustic stimuli. Physiological states that respond to stress, such as changes in salivary cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase, heart rate, and respiratory sinus arrhythmia, were monitored to determine the recreational effects of music.

The music group was found to show significant improvements in autonomic recovery (Bronnimann et al., 2011). In other words, the physiological states of high heart rate and abnormal respiratory arrhythmic cycles, which are aggravated by stress emotions, were brought back to normal levels more quickly for the music groups. It is also interesting to note that the group listening to ambient sounds of nature was most effective in recovering from respiratory sinus arrhythmias compared to the music group.

Bronnimann et al. (2011) suggested that humans’ unconscious desire to be one with nature may have explained why nature sounds were most effective in inducing people to a recovered state after exposure to stressors. This research suggests the potential of music to relieve everyday stressors. In addition, it is possible that individuals associated ambient sounds of nature with perceptions of calm and relaxation, and these perceptions may have mitigated aggravated states of stress. So mindfulness to relaxing music helped stabilize the human psyche.

Another possible explanation for the effect of music on behavior is that listening to music produces real changes in the body’s physiological states. Vaajoki, Kankkunen, Pietila and Vehvilainen-Julkunen (2011) studied the effect of music on the physiological recovery of patients after abdominal surgery. Vaajoki et al. measured the patients’ respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood pressure on the day of surgery, followed by the next three days.

The results showed that musical intervention reduced blood pressure significantly more in the music group than in the control group. In terms of long-term effects, the music group also showed significantly better respiratory recovery. Vaajoki et al. suggests that the participants slowed their breathing rate by matching their breathing to slower songs, which effectively improved their airways. Whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the human body tends to synchronize with music.

If music has such a large impact on physiological states as Vaajoki suggests, it’s possible that songs with faster tempos and aggressive themes result in higher breathing rates, possibly increasing blood flow and heart rate, and potentially leading to angry behavior. While relaxing music can soothe the listener, other genres of music, such as up-tempo punk music or heavy metal rock that depicts violence and death, can counteract negative emotions and angry behaviors.

Music has a unique impact on the human psyche due to its association with emotional processes

Music has a unique impact on the human psyche due to its association with emotional processes. Ehlert, Mohiyeddini, Nater, Ryf, and Thoma (2012) conducted a study to explore this connection between music and emotional perception. The volunteers were introduced to 16 hypothetical everyday situations that evoked a wide range of emotions. These situations like “traffic jam” and “going to a party” were associated with very positive and very negative emotional states. Subjects were instructed to imagine themselves in these emotional, everyday situations as if they were experiencing the events first-hand.

Afterward, participants listened to 20 different song styles and were instructed to choose a song they would most like to hear while immersing themselves in the hypothetical scenarios. The results showed that there was a strong correlation between the type of emotion and the preferred style of music. In general, the song style reflected the type of emotion in the environment presented. It was found that listeners associated certain music with certain emotions (Ehlert et al., 2012). For example, fast, aggressive songs in minor chords were preferred when participants were immersed in highly negative emotional events such as “arguing with partner” or “failing a lecture.”

In contrast, the highly positive emotional events such as “romantic dinner” or “cozy Sunday” were often paired with softer songs in major chords. In this study, participants tended to choose music that was associated with experiencing their imagined emotions. In other words, the brain finds ways to connect emotional meaning to auditory stimuli.

Since numerous styles of music exist today, it can be assumed that aggressive music can provoke aggressive behavior. However, Frith (2008) suggested that music does not necessarily make the listener more hostile, but rather makes the listener excited at the thought of being in a negative emotional state. Therefore, music genres associated with negative themes can influence the mind to perceive aggressive emotions as entertaining stimulation, rather than producing an observable change in behavior.

Although Frith argues that music may not make listeners more aggressive, it is possible that high arousal from musical stimulation mixed with aggressive verbal lyrics may actually induce aggressive behavior in avid listeners of “hardcore” genres. Mast and McAndrew (2011) tested this very hypothesis by conducting a study examining the potential relationship between heavy metal rock’s violent lyrics and behavioral aggression. In this experiment, 35 male college students in an undergraduate psychology course were sampled. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) a group that listened to heavy metal with intense violent lyrics for eight minutes, (2) a group that listened to heavy metal with non-violent lyrics for eight minutes, and (3 ) a control group sitting quietly in a room.

Participants were then given a cup of water and a bottle of hot sauce and instructed to prepare a flavored drink for the next participant. Subjects were free to choose any amount of hot sauce they wanted. The results showed that the group with violent texts added significantly more hot sauce than the other two groups. According to Mast and McAndrew (2011), violent texts played a significant role in promoting aggressive behavior in participants. This study suggests a likely link between aggressive genres and aggressive behavior, possibly due to negative lyrical perceptions and language depicting anger and hostility. Similar areas of the brain that are activated when understanding emotion and language in the temporal lobe are also activated when listening to music (Besson, Chobert, and Marie, 2011).

Because auditory information from text is translated in the language area of ​​the brain, an area that is also activated by emotional processes, speech from text can convey emotional perceptions to listeners. In the study by Mast et al. (2011) it is possible that aggressive texts provoked aggressive emotions, leading to more aggressive behavior. Other musical attributes such as chord type, tempo, or loudness may also have influenced aggression. Songs played in a minor key tend to evoke troubling emotions in the listener, such as sadness or anger (Levitin, 2006).

Since Blood and Zatorre’s (2001) PET scans showed that music, food, sex, and drugs all share the same reward-based neural operations that control feelings of euphoria, perhaps in the future it might be possible to use music as a means to Regulate and enhance a patient’s emotional processes rather than resorting to medication. Music may prove to be a healthy therapeutic alternative.

With this in mind, the purpose of this current study was to determine the degree of influence of music on emotional changes, particularly in the areas of aggression, using two extremes of audio categories, relaxing yoga music and aggressive rap music. First, it was hypothesized that the yoga music group will have lower levels of aggression due to associations with the perception of positive emotions and relaxation. The second hypothesis was that violent music increases aggression among listeners due to the presence of aggressive lyrics and the perception of negative emotions. In summary, it was expected that those who listened to yoga music would score lower on overall aggression, those who listened to rap music would score higher on aggression, and those who listened to no music would fall within the median.

methodology

Attendees

75 volunteers were used for this study. The sample consisted of college students over the age of 18 on the universities’ college campus in Shady Grove. The experiment took place in a classroom. The students received additional course credits for their participation.

materials

The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992) was used to monitor aggression among participants. The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire is a self-report consisting of 29 aggression-related statements. The self-report instructed participants to rate on a scale of 1 to 5 how accurately the 29 items represented themselves; ex. “1: very atypical of me” to “5: very characteristic of me”.

The questionnaire measures four dimensions of aggression: physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. Physical aggression and hostility domains were used to determine behavioral aggression, while verbal aggression and anger corresponded to emotional aggression. The results are calculated on a scale from 0 to 1.

To allow music to be played continuously during the study, two aggressive songs and one longer relaxation song were used. Based on the Violence Text Study by Mast et al. (2011), the songs “Andrei the Pit Arlovski” (Freddy Madball & Jaysaun, 2011) and “Ready for War” (50 Cent, 2009) were rated by a fast pace. Similar to the study by Bronnimann et al. (2011), who showed that nature sounds help to further relieve stress, “Shadows of White” (Liquid Mind, 1995), the yoga song, was chosen for its gentle nature sounds to promote perceptions of relaxation.

procedure

Before submitting the questionnaire, participants were asked to close their eyes and listen to the music selection for one minute. This allowed the listeners to fully focus on the songs being played. The control group heard nothing and answered the questionnaire immediately. After one minute of acoustic exposure, subjects were instructed to complete the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (1992) while the selected music genre continued to play in the background.

Music variables were manipulated at three levels, (1) yoga/relaxing music, (2) no music, and (3) rap/aggressive music. Group One listened to “Shadows of White” (Liquid Mind, 1995). Group two had no auditory stimulus and completed the questionnaire in silence. Group three listened to both “Andrei the Pit Arlovski” (Freddy Madball & Jaysaun, 2011) and “Ready for War” (50 Cent, 2009). Responses were entered into Buss & Perry’s (1992) online tool for assessment (available at http://psychology-tools.com/buss-perry-aggression-questionnaire).

Results

Two extremes of music genres were used to determine the influence of music on aggression. A total of 75 participants (25 per group) were randomly assigned to one of three levels of acoustic stimuli; (1) yoga/relaxing music, (2) control/no music, and (3) aggressive/rap music.

The Buss-Perry questionnaire was used to assess four levels of aggression, (1) physical aggression, (2) verbal aggression, (3) hostility, and (4) anger. An ANOVA and post hoc analysis (with Tukey’s correction) were used to analyze the three levels of the independent variables (music stimuli) with the dependent variables (dimensions of aggression). An alpha level of p<0.05 was used for all analyses. Using one-way ANOVA and post hoc analysis (with Tukey's correction), the results showed a significant difference between the groups in terms of verbal aggression, F(2,72)=3.45, p<0.05. Post-hoc analyzes showed that participants in the "rap group" in the dimension of verbal aggression (M = 0.56, SD = 0.23) compared to the "no music" group (M = 0.42 SD = 0.23) achieved significantly higher values. 19). The differences in verbal aggression between the yoga group (M=0.45, SD=0.19) and without music (M=0.42, SD=0.19) and yoga group (M=0.45, SD=0, 19) and rap group (M=0.56, SD=0.23) were insufficient to be significant. One-way ANOVA and post hoc analysis (with Tukey's correction) showed that the three groups had no significant differences in physical aggression F(2,72)=1.844, p>0.05, anger F(2,72) = showed 1.710, p > 0.05 or hostility F(2,72) = 1.824, p > 0.05. Therefore, no post-hoc analyzes were performed for the other three within-group aggression domains.

discussion

Overall, this present study was conducted to examine the effects of two extremes of music genres on emotional aggression and behavioral aggression among listeners. It was originally hypothesized that having the group listening to relaxing yoga music would result in fewer reported aggressions. The results showed that the first hypothesis was not supported in this case as there were no noticeable differences in reported aggression between the yoga group and the control group.

However, the data supported the second hypothesis; Aggressive music significantly increased the range of aggression for listeners in the rap group compared to the control group. It is important to note that music increased aggression only in the areas of verbal aggression. Neither the yoga nor the control group had lyrical influences, so it is possible that the presence of violent lyrics in the rap group played a major factor in the differences in verbal aggression. Similar to the Mast and McAndrew (2011) study, the violent texts may have played a key role in participants showing some form of aggression.

There was also a notable difference in verbal aggression between the rap group and the yoga group, but not enough to be significant. Participants in the rap group also performed slightly better on physical aggression and anger than the other two groups, but again the difference was not enough to be significant.

Evidence from this study suggests that music can have some impact on emotions, depending on the genre. It is likely that the rap group perceived themselves as more aggressive because of aggressive lyrics that activated similar areas in the brain that control emotional and language processes (Besson, Chobert, and Marie, 2011). Activating aggressive emotions through music can trigger aggressive perceptions and behaviors. Since Frith (2008) indicates that music only provides listeners with a pleasant perception of aggression in an artistic aspect, rather than evoking actual aggressive behavior, the Buss-Perry questionnaire was used to isolate four types of aggression into two categories; emotional aggression (anger and verbal aggression); and behavioral aggression (physical aggression and hostility).

Aggressive music resulted in a change in emotional aggression (assuming verbal aggression is a form of emotional aggression) rather than a change in behavioral aggression between the rap group and the control. Contrary to the observations of Mast and McAndrew (2011), where violent texts made listeners behave more aggressively, Frith’s idea applies in this present study as there was no observable change in behavior. Since there was only an increase in verbal aggression in the rap group compared to the control group, it is safe to assume that aggressive lyrics can make listeners more emotionally aggressive.

Activating aggressive emotions through music can trigger aggressive perceptions and behaviors

For example, an avid listener of aggressive texts is not necessarily more likely to harm another person, but more likely to use aggressive language. The notion that violent music can lead to a change in aggressive behavior is still controversial.

Attention and memory stimuli may also have played a role in this study. When listening to music, fMRI scans show increased activity in the hippocampus (Levitin, 2006). The hippocampus is the area of ​​the brain responsible for emotion regulation, memory retrieval, and behavioral inhibition. The neural processes that involve memory recall and emotional consolidation are closely related. Blood and Zatorre (2001) also found similar activations in attention-related structures.

The survey often included questions about participants’ past actions and behaviors. The presence of aggressive music may have drawn attention to aggressive emotions, leading to more vivid perceptions of aggressive memories. Similar to the study by Ehlert et al. (2012), where participants had a habit of matching music to emotions, subjects may have rated themselves as more aggressive because musical perceptions of aggression triggered aggressive emotions and memories.

It’s possible that the rap group scored the highest on verbal aggression for the following reasons: (1) Aggressive music can stimulate listeners at a physiological level, increasing respiratory rate, blood pressure, and heart rate, potentially leading to a more unstable psyche, (2) Listeners associated negative musical connotations, such as fast tempos and minor harmonica, with negative emotions and turned their attention to aggressive emotions and memories, or (3) exposure to aggressive lyrics led to the activation of neural processes that reinforce perceptions of aggressive language and emotions.

The self-report method used to analyze participants’ levels of aggression was a limitation of this study. In general, self-reports are not reliable compared to other means of measuring aggression. Completing a questionnaire in a social classroom rather than in the real world may also have influenced the results. Future studies could benefit from using other methods, including physiological or behavioral observations when comparing music and emotions. Another limitation of this study was the narrow demographic scope. The sample used in this study consisted of an appropriate sample of younger college students. Extending the study to other population groups with different tastes in music may yield different results.

it is still unclear whether music has a direct influence on emotional processes; However, evidence from this present study suggests a strong relationship between listening to aggressive music and verbal aggression. It seems that the ancient Greco-Roman and European-Romantic understanding of music was not too far off; What was once considered “magical” can now be understood as real change on a psychological and physiological level. It seems that music has the ability to support and disrupt the stabilization of the human psyche.

Research by Bronnimann et al. (2013) and Vaajoki et al. (2011) demonstrated how relaxing music can have profound health effects by aiding in multiple physiological recoveries. Results from the study by Mast et al. (2011) and this recent study suggest that aggressive music can reinforce certain forms of aggression. The human psyche has a unique ability to synchronize external audio stimuli from music with specific emotions.

Future research may want to explore this connection between emotions and music further; the same concepts that were once perceived as “magic”. Maybe one day it would be possible to regulate mood with music instead of using drugs. Based on these studies, it is clear that music has a very special effect on the body and mind. This connection should continue to be an ongoing and exciting research topic among scientists in the future.

references

Besson M, Chobert J, & Marie C (2011). Language and music in the musician’s brain. language

and Linguistics Compass, 5, 617-634. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-818×2011.00302.x Blood, A.J., & Zatorre, R.J. (2001). Intensely pleasurable responses to music correlate with activity in brain regions involved in reward and emotion. The National Academy of Sciences, 98, 11818-11823. doi: 10.1073/pnas.191355898

Bronnimann, R., Ehlert, U., Finkel, L., Marca, M.V., Nater, U.M., R.L., & Thoma, M.V. (2013).

The effect of music on the human stress response. PLoS ONE, 8, e70156. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070156

Brown, S. (2000). The “Musilanguage” model of music evolution. The Origins of Music, 271-301.

Buss, A.H., & Perry, M.P. (1992). The aggression questionnaire. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 63, 452-459

Buss, A.H., & Perry, M.P. (1992). The aggression questionnaire. Retrieved from http://psychology-tools.com/buss-perry-aggression-questionnaire/

Ehlert, U., Mohiyeddini, C., Nater, UM, Ryf, S., & Thoma M.V. (2012). Emotion regulation through listening to music in everyday situations. Cognition & Emotion, 26, 550-560. doi:10.1080/02699931.2011.595390

Frith, S. (2008). Why does music make people so mad? Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 13, 64-69. doi: 10.1080/08098130409478098

Gebauer, L. & Kringelbach, M.L. (2012). Ever-changing cycles of musical enjoyment: the role of dopamine and anticipation. Psychomusicology: Music, Mind and Brain, 22, 152-167. doi: 10.1037/a0031126

Lazarus, R.S. (1999). stress and emotions. New York: Springer Verlag.

Levitin, D.J. (2006). This is Your Music Brain: The Science of a Human Obsession. New York: Penguin Group.

Mast FJ, McAndrew TF (2011) Heavy lyrics in heavy music can increase aggression in men. North American Journal of Psychology, 13, 63-64.

Rose, J.P., & Bartsch, H.H. (2009). music as therapy. Medicine and Music, 70, 5–8.

Vaajoki, A., Kankkunen, P., Pietila, A., & Vehvilainen-Julkunen, K. (2011). Music as a nursing invention: Effects of music on blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate in abdominal surgery patients. Nursing and Health Sciences, 13, 412-418. doi: 10.111/j.1442-2018.2011.00633.x

Yehuda, N. (2011). music and stress. Journal of Adult Development, 18, 85-97. doi: 10.1007/s10804-010-9117-4

TUESDAY, December 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Beat-heavy rap music could help beat mental illness: Over the past two decades, the lyrics of the most popular rap songs have increasingly explored themes related to anxiety, depression and mental health, shows a new study.

“I think everyone who’s been a fan of rap music over the last two decades — myself included — felt like this was happening,” said study author Alex Kresovich, a graduate student in the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. And it makes sense, he added, since “the suicide rate among young people in the United States rose 60% from 2007 to 2018.”

In fact, rap songs referring to suicide shot from zero in 1998 to 12% by 2018. Over the same period, references to depression rose from 16% to 32%, while inclusion of metaphors related to mental health problems rose from 8% rose. to 44%.

The analysis focused on 125 rap songs issued by North American artists from top 25 lists issued in 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018. Most artists were Black males (78%) with an average age of 28. Overall, 28% of the songs contained references to anxiety, more than a fifth mentioned depression and 6% touched on suicide.

“And we saw a statistically significant increase in the proportion of popular rap songs that reference depression, suicide, and metaphors about mental health issues,” Kresovich noted. These included phrases like “being marginalized” or “losing my mind”.

As an example, Kresovich highlighted one of this year’s Grammy-nominated songs by artist Big Sean. It is titled “Deep Reverence” and contains the following text:

“In high school, I studied chemistry and biology, but not how to deal with anxiety. Or how I might feel like I’m alone on an island with depression on all sides of me.”

And there was Logic’s 2017 megahit, “1-800-273-8255,” which referenced the Suicide Prevention Hotline and raised awareness among young people.

“Superstar rap artists like Logic, Jay-Z, Kanye West, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper and Big Sean have been very frontline in opening up the conversation about mental health,” added Kresovich, who in a previous life was a music producer and songwriter. “Kanye’s 2008 ‘808s & Heartbreak’ album was groundbreaking in its emotional openness and really seems to have paved the way for a new generation of artists.”

But what does rap’s exploration of mental health issues actually mean for listeners?

“Celebrity rap artists are very visible and very influential role models for youth,” Kresovich pointed out, noting that rap is currently the most popular music genre in the United States. “The fact that rap songs with these messages are resonating with such a wide audience strikes me as a cry for help,” he added, “given that young people are the primary consumers of popular music and the mental health epidemic we are currently experiencing.” are of youth.”

These observations were corroborated by Pamela Rutledge, director of the Media Psychology Research Center in Corona Del Mar, California.

“Celebrity references to mental health can be very powerful because of their success and visibility as authorities and role models,” said Rutledge, who was not part of the study. “[Pop] celebrities like Justin Bieber on depression and Demi Lovato on bipolar disorder. These disclosures helped normalize mental health issues and validated seeking treatment as a socially acceptable response.”

Rutledge warned, however, “that what matters is how the message is articulated and whether the artists talk about mental illness to break the stigma against mental illness and encourage acceptance and treatment seeking, or whether it is portrayed as a sign of weakness.” This is particularly important in rap music as it has not always presented positive social norms in terms of gender and social acceptance.

Still, she noted that rap music certainly has the potential to “increase willingness to receive information and help, rather than going into hiding or suffering from depression, anxiety, and suicide.”

Kresovich agreed.

“We don’t yet know if the consequences of listening to these songs will be positive or negative,” he admitted. “Nevertheless, just opening up this conversation is a giant step forward. My hope is that famous rap artists who speak openly about their mental health issues can act as role models and be instrumental in reversing burdensome mental health trends in America’s youth.”

Kresovich and his university colleagues published their findings online Dec. 7 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.

More information

For more on depression, visit the U.S. National Institutes of Mental Health.

SOURCES: Alex Kresovich, MA, graduate student, Hussman School of Journalism and Media, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Pamela Rutledge, PhD, Media Psychologist and Director, Media Psychology Research Center, Corona Del Mar, California; JAMA Pediatrics, December 7, 2020, online

Have you ever wondered if people judge you by your favorite genre of music? Or is it your own fault?

When it comes to meeting new people, it’s always interesting to know what kind of music they listen to. Sometimes you bond instantly when you find out you both have the same favorite artist. Other times you might not like someone because you hate their preferred genre of music.

On the other hand, a person’s taste in music does not reflect anything about their personality. Or is it? Is it wise or shallow to judge someone by their musical preferences?

Music is part of cultures around the world. Whether it’s an African tribe jamming or a DJ playing on Tomorrowland’s main stage, we all listen to music. It’s part of our life. Of course, there are many studies on the subject of music vs. personality!

do you know who you are

Spoiler alert: yes, there is quite a connection between the two. There are many different studies that use a few different models of personality. Let’s look at two important ones.

A first example is the well-known “Myers-Briggs Type Indicator” (MBTI). It’s a test that defines your personality as one of 16 possibilities.

Your “type” is made up of 4 characteristics that result in 4 letters. There are two choices for each letter, giving a total of 16 possible combinations.

First, it tests whether you tend to be extraverted or introverted, resulting in the letter E or I.

Next, the test identifies your perceptual function, which is either perception or intuition. So the second letter of your personality type is either S or N.

The way you judge determines the third part of your type. You can be a thinker or a feeler, resulting in T or F as your third letter.

Finally, the test decides whether you prefer to use your perception or your judgment (letters two and three). As a result, the fourth letter is either P or J.

This whole process leads to your personality type. Summarize:

Extraversion vs. Introversion

Perception vs. Intuition

Thinking vs. Feeling

Judging vs. Perception

Examples are ENTP, ISFJ, INTP and so on. All of the traits or preferences described above have long and deep explanations, but let’s not get too scientific here. Everything important is explained below per genre.

The Big Five

Another model used for testing is the “Big Five” model. It describes your personality based on five major dimensions:

openness to experience

conscientiousness

extraversion

compatibility

neuroticism

Lots of fancy words but one thing is important for you to know. Your openness to new experiences and your level of extraversion are the biggest influences on your musical tastes.

Now that you’ve had a crash course in personality models and tests, let’s get down to business: what does your favorite genre say about your personality?

Music Genre vs. Personality

pop

As a fan of pop music, you stand out from the crowd (the same goes for metal fans). However, when it comes to metal fans, you’re on the other end of the spectrum.

If you enjoy listening to chart-topping pop songs, you’re fairly outgoing, but you may lack creativity.

If you love pop, you can be turbulent or nervous at times. But honestly, who isn’t? Unless you’re one of those cold-blooded psychos.

Despite this, as a pop fan, you maintain high self-esteem and have no problem with a day of hard work. When it comes to the MBTI, there’s a big chance you’re either an ESFP, ESFJ, or ISFP. Check out the description above and find out if it fits!

Rap & Hip Hop

As a fan of hip hop music you are outgoing, a trait of true extroverts. Just like your friends who listen to pop (unless you don’t want to have pop fans as friends), you love to socialize and party.

In addition to your energetic and rhythmic charisma, you also show a fairly high self-esteem. When we talk about high self-esteem when it comes to hip-hop, it reminds us of a special person. Kanye West, anyone?

When it comes to MBTI test results, there is no single type that stands out from the rest. But that doesn’t mean that it’s a boring genre, on the contrary. Hip-hop is possibly the most personality-driven genre. After all, it often just comes down to a boy or a girl with a microphone.

Most personality types listening to this genre are extraverted and prefer sensing to intuition. Simply put, when it comes to processing new information, you prefer information that is in the present, tangible, and concrete.

rock

Listening to rock means you’re an intuitive person. That means you have no problem trusting information that isn’t directly related to your senses. They like to link this to other information and are interested in future possibilities.

When it comes to challenges, you are relaxed and flexible at the same time. Sounds like everyone’s favorite co-worker!

Of course, there are a number of different types of rock. If you’re a fan of the classics (high five!), you’re probably a hard worker, at peace with yourself and you love nostalgic vibes. Not being a fan of the classics might be considered a crime, but to each his own.

On the other hand, indie rock enthusiasts are proving to be opponents. If you’re a fan of indie, chances are you’re a bit lazy while having lower self-esteem (maybe you could borrow something from Kanye). As an indie rocker, however, you are more creative than others!

As a rock fan, there’s a good chance you’re an ENTP (or something along those lines) personality, usually referred to as a “debater”. Maybe it’s because of that rebellious rock spirit.

metal

The traits metal fans possess are distinctive and turn out to be the opposite of pop fans (whoa, big surprise here).

If you like to throw up your horns, you tend to be introverted and very intuitive. This means that you live in a world of ideas and reflections and new information does not need to be tangible in order to be able to interpret and process it. Sounds good!

While the music itself can be heavy or dark, that certainly can’t be said about you. According to tests, as a metal fan you are a very gentle person! You are really creative too.

Music psychologist Adrian North says metal fans are “the same kind of person” as classical music lovers. If only a little younger.

Your love for fast, loud and heavy music doesn’t necessarily mean that you only listen to brutal death metal bands. Few can resist the delights of classic acts like Motörhead or Metallica!

Classic

Do you appreciate classical music? If so, you have good intuition and a healthy level of self-esteem.

Being intuitive means you tend to trust incoming information that is less dependent on the senses. Instead, you think about future possibilities or try to find patterns. The nice dose of self-confidence speaks for itself!

The cliché of classical music is also true: fans of this genre are usually smarter than other music lovers. This is known as the “Mozart Effect”.

Pop is too boring for you? There is a big chance. As a fan of classical music, you have a personality that loves complex symphonies and compositions.

You can be a great creative mind and see listening to music as a theatrical experience. A quality that you share with metal fans, by the way. Who would have thought?

R&B

R&B attracts a lot of open-minded, extroverted listeners. If you’re a fan of R&B, you’re someone who really follows your heart!

You have no problem showing your emotions. Especially emotions inspired by the music. As an aside, you’re obviously not the biggest fans of green energy and you’re perfectly fine with current fossil fuel use.

sounds like you? Global warming is real, you know. *Trump voice* just kidding, that’s something the Chinese invented.

Erode

EDM spans a wide range of genres, but there are a few distinct traits that emerge among fans of all types of EDM.

Fans of electronic dance music are outgoing and sociable. This shouldn’t come as a surprise as EDM is widely used all over the world these days.

It’s a new breed of pop that’s directly competing for radio playtime. Songs that make the mainstage crowd freak out can now be heard on your mom’s favorite radio station.

Of course, your outgoing personality comes in handy if you’re planning on hitting a festival or two in the summer. However, chances are you’re not the gentlest person on the festival site. But to be fair, we all hate it when you’re standing in a crowd and a group of people are trying to push past you on their way to the front lines.

The “fast, loud and heavy” attributes of Heavy Metal also come to the fore here. Just think of some crackers from Skrillex or Diplo; They can’t hold back the crowd when they fall.

Smart or shallow?

So we’ve talked about a few different genres, each with their own attributes and personality traits. It’s clear that asking a person’s musical tastes could give you an idea of ​​that person’s personality.

But please, don’t delete all your contacts because you can’t seem to enjoy their Spotify playlist. Most people listen to more than one genre, and you should too! It might not change your personality, but it does have a whole host of benefits.

Remember, while our favorite music gives you a first impression, it shouldn’t separate us. It should connect us!

According to this list, does your favorite music genre fit your personality? Let us know in the comments or subscribe for more music facts straight to your inbox!

Everyone knows rap guru Eminem and his phenomenal rap skills — but did you know that rapping can actually be a great way to boost your confidence? Yes, you heard us right! Music has a magical way of making you nostalgic with memories you seem to have forgotten and making us grateful for the little things.

Here is how hip hop music has a profound effect on listeners:

Reinforces positive visual images

Ever heard rap music based on a rags to riches story? According to a study conducted by the University of Cambridge’s Department of Psychology, rags to riches rap music promotes a positive self-image – imagining where you’d like to be, thereby facilitating your ascent to a superior mental position . This positive effect, in turn, plays a favorable role in goal setting. The study also shows that rap is a cathartic liberation rather than a simple celebration of one’s success and abundance of material.

memory of self worth

Rap music is not a humble form of music – it’s about telling others how great the rapper is and that he’s better than others. The pompous nature of the lyrics teaches listeners their worth and not to settle for less than what they deserve. It underscores the importance of your exclusivity and uniqueness – a reminder we could all use from time to time.

Teaches gratitude

In their songs, rappers share their life experiences and talk about how they have survived all the ups and downs of their lives so far. Rap music teaches listeners to embrace their past and empower themselves with the lessons that came with those experiences. With acceptance of the past comes gratitude for the present – you wouldn’t be so wise if it weren’t for those past experiences.

Be yourself

Rappers convey an unwavering message to embrace their true selves and be authentic—they don’t care what other people have to say and aren’t afraid of judgement. They teach listeners to trust their originality and to express themselves however they want.

Never stop learning

While rappers brag about their accomplishments, they also talk about the importance of exercise. They believe in making regular efforts in their art and remind us how important continuous learning is for continuous growth.

Accept the journey

Rappers accept their circumstances. They don’t play the blame and don’t hold others responsible for what happens on their journey.

Listening to rap inspires belief that the universe has a plan for everyone. It reminds you to strive for the best and let the journey lead you to your destination. The music reflects the concept of manifestation and trials, teaching you to have patience and to believe in the process.

Share on Pinterest If you love music, you are not alone. People all over the world appreciate and use music every day, be it for advertising, memorizing facts, exercising or falling asleep. For many, music also plays a large role in culture and identity. Music can also: Reduce anxiety and stress

help relieve pain

improve your mood

Improve sleep quality While there’s little to fault with these effects, some wonder if people can enjoy music a little too much. The short answer to that is no: experts don’t officially recognize music addiction as a mental health diagnosis. That doesn’t mean, however, that music habits can still sometimes become problematic.

Is it possible? In short, not really. Experts do not officially recognize music addiction as a mental health diagnosis. That doesn’t mean, however, that music habits can still sometimes become problematic. If you’re familiar with how addiction develops, you might know a little about the role that dopamine plays. Here’s the short version: Substance use or certain behaviors trigger the release of dopamine in the brain’s reward system. Over time, the brain begins to rely on these substances or behaviors and naturally releases less dopamine. So your brain becomes addicted to these dopamine triggers. A 2011 study of 10 people who experience chills when listening to music suggests that music can trigger a release of dopamine when it elicits a highly positive emotional response — also known as chills. In theory, the brain could potentially rely on music-triggered dopamine production, but there’s not much evidence that this actually happens.

If music could become a problem There’s no single answer to that, but we can look at things that health professionals generally look for when screening someone for a potential addiction: Can you control the pattern of behavior?

Does it cause problems in your daily life?

Do you continue the behavior despite negative consequences because you feel you can’t stop?

Do you need the behavior more over time and experience withdrawal symptoms if you don’t engage in it? It really comes down to this: is listening to music affecting you negatively? Here are some more specific signs that you should take a closer look at your music habits. You rely on music to deal with your emotions. Music is often deeply emotional. It can convey an almost infinite range of feelings. It is often used as a coping strategy for anxiety or stress. Many people report improved mood and motivation after listening to energizing music. It can even help you express emotions and find deeper insights. Even so, it will not get to the core of what is causing your distress. Remember that listening to music that suits your mood can also boost that mood, for better or for worse. Sometimes this can help. For example, sad breakup songs might help you process your feelings after a romantic disappointment. On the other hand, they can also have the opposite effect and prolong your feelings of sadness and sorrow. Music is essential Music can help make challenging or uncomfortable tasks more bearable. You could turn on the radio in bad traffic, jam to energetic songs while you’re cleaning the house, or listen to soothing music when you’re feeling stressed. However, music is not appropriate in all situations. For example, it’s not a good idea to secretly listen to music during school lectures, meetings at work, or while someone is trying to have a serious conversation with you. If you’re feeling desperate or finding it difficult to function without music, it may be worth investigating why. Music distracts you from important tasks Getting lost in a song (or two) is pretty normal. However, regularly losing track of time while listening to music can create challenges, especially if it keeps you from getting on with your responsibilities. Maybe you’ll wait for the 6-minute guitar solo to end before heading out to pick up your partner from work. Or you’re so in the zone that you suddenly fall far short of the dinner you promised. Music plays a role in substance use Substance use improves the music listening experience for some people. Maybe a few drinks will help you loosen up and dance at a live show. Or ecstasy makes you feel mentally in sync with the DJ. Using substances occasionally while still enjoying a deeper connection to music isn’t necessarily a problem, but it’s worth paying attention to. According to a 2015 study, 43 percent of 143 people being treated for a substance use disorder associated a certain type of music with greater desire to use substances. Again, this doesn’t necessarily mean music is bad. In fact, most study participants also said that music played an important role in their recovery. However, these results suggest that music may play a role in problem substance use. If you’re attracted to a particular genre of music that also triggers substance cravings, you might want to take a closer look at this connection.

Cut Down (If You Feel You Have To) If listening to music isn’t having a negative impact on your life, then there’s no reason to cut back. However, if you want to make some changes, consider these strategies. Identify areas where you can avoid listening to music Even if you want to listen to less music, you don’t have to stop listening altogether. Instead, try to choose certain times of the day or activities when it might make sense to avoid music. Once you’ve identified specific areas of listening problems (e.g., during lectures or at work when you’re supposed to be focusing on clients), start limiting there. If you’re able to listen to music most of the day, give yourself some time when you can do without it. Sure, you can listen to your workout music, but try giving your hearing aids a break when you go for a walk. Instead, keep your ears open to the sounds of nature. Split your listening with other activities When you listen to music almost constantly, you may spend less time using other forms of media or interacting with others. Music has many advantages, that’s true. But other media can also offer advantages. Some things to try: Call a friend or loved one.

Watch a favorite movie.

Learn a new language (free apps like Duolingo or audio CDs from your local library are great for this). Hearing Other Things Music is convenient because you can listen to it while you’re doing other things. Background noise can keep you company at home or at work when you don’t like silence. However, music is not your only option. Consider trying these different types of audio: National Public Radio (NPR). Google NPR followed by your city name for your local channel.

Google NPR followed by your city name for your local channel. audio books. Many local libraries offer options for fiction and non-fiction to borrow or stream.

Many local libraries offer options for fiction and non-fiction to borrow or stream. podcast. No matter what interests you, there’s probably a podcast about it. Change the way you listen to music If listening to music is less of a problem than the way you listen to music, some changes in your listening style might help: If you’re feeling down and music makes it easier to wallow in the gloom, try journaling, talking to a friend, or going for a walk.

If loud music distracts you from work or study, consider switching to music without lyrics when you need to concentrate.

Consider turning down the volume or removing your headphones in situations where you need more attention, like at work or on the road.

Best Practices to Consider By this point, you may have realized that you don’t have a problem with your music listening habits. However, if you follow these tips, you can enjoy and benefit from music to the fullest – while protecting your hearing. Turn down the volume. The biggest disadvantage of listening to music? It can cause hearing loss over time if it’s too loud. You may not even realize how loud the volume is. People tend to play the music they love the most at a higher volume, perhaps because they think it’s not as loud as music they like less – even if the volume is exactly the same. So if you really want to blast that one song, do it, but then turn the volume down. Your ears (and probably your neighbors) will thank you. If you use headphones, remember the 60-60 rule: Listen at no more than 60 percent of maximum volume for 60 minutes a day. Switch to over-ear headphones If you’re concerned about hearing loss, experts recommend headphones that cover your ear as a safer option. Earplugs and wireless headphones might be fantastically comfortable, but they can increase your chances of hearing loss. Noise-cancelling headphones can also block out background noise, making it easier to turn down the volume without external noise creeping in and disturbing your chill. Adjust Your Music to the Situation You probably know what types of music excite you, but certain types of music can offer benefits in certain situations: Music played at a slow, restrained tempo can promote relaxation and reduce stress.

Classical music can help increase concentration, especially when studying.

Your favorite music can help improve a bad mood.

When to Get Help If you feel like you need to reconsider some of your music-related habits, but are finding it difficult to do so, working with a therapist can be of great help. A therapist can help you better understand what drives your music-related behaviors and find healthier ways to deal with them. Suppose you use music to relieve persistent anxiety, but your addiction to music is causing problems in your relationship. A therapist can help you address the root causes of your anxiety and find other ways to deal with the symptoms in the moment. It’s also best to talk to a therapist if you notice symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues. Music can certainly help you feel better, but it’s not the same as treatment. Our therapy guide for every budget can help you get started.

There’s nothing quite like listening to your favorite song. Also, there’s nothing quite like listening to your favorite song at full volume.

But should you reconsider your music volume while jamming through a workout or hopping to your daily mix at work?

“Our ears are incredibly complex and sensitive. There are thousands of cells with millions of tiny hair-like structures in our inner ear that facilitate hearing, but these cells and structures can be damaged by loud noises,” warns Dr. Brian Wang, ear, nose and throat doctor specializing in hearing loss at Houston Methodist. “If the damage accumulates over time and causes you to lose hearing, you can’t get it back. When you are acutely exposed to a very loud noise like a firecracker, it is very difficult to recover from that trauma.”

Noise is everywhere, and the loudness of a noise is measured in decibels (dB). Noise below about 70 dB is safe and usually does not affect your hearing. As noises get louder and/or the time you spend listening to loud noises increases, your hearing becomes increasingly likely. (Related: When Should I Worry About Ringing in My Ears?)

“What many people may not realize is that the maximum volume of personal hearing aids is well over 70dB and when you use earbuds or headphones to listen to your music, the sound goes straight into your ear,” explains Dr. wang “If you listen to your music too loud, or for a long period of time, it can actually cause hearing damage over time.”

To reduce the risk of hearing loss, Dr. Wang to learn when your music is considered too loud and how to listen safely.

The connection between drugs and music

Pop music is bombarded with lyrics that glorify the lavish lifestyles of the rich and famous, fancy cars and wild adventures. Listeners hear songs that condone the use of illegal drugs and the consumption of large amounts of alcohol. Popular songs such as Future’s “Mask Off” and The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face” are recent examples of popular songs related to drug use. However, the relationship between drugs and music spans genres and decades. For example, recent polls have found that country music has a greater body of lyrics revealing drug use and songs from the ’60s and ’70s that were known to embrace drug culture, encourage trippy travel, and altered states of mind.

Break free from addiction. You have options. Talk to a treatment provider about this today. (888) 461-0037

The Effects of Drugs and Music on Teenagers

How does music affect the listener and who is most affected by the influence of music and the curiosity to try drugs? Studies show that teenage listeners are most likely to abuse drugs after hearing lyrics that refer to chemical addiction. For example, teens who listen to music about marijuana are at greater risk of using marijuana. A recent study of ninth graders supports this theory, particularly the suggestibility of younger listeners. Attempts to link alcohol consumption to music, however, have not been so conclusive.

Other factors that link marijuana and music are the songs the listener listens to and exposure to the music they hear. For example, individuals who listen to marijuana-related music during times of stress or in a low mood may promote the benefits of using the drug and entice listeners to try it. Teens may also have the wrong belief that musicians need drugs to fuel their creative urges, or musicians need drugs to clear their minds to be creative. Teens may also mistakenly believe that musicians who use drugs are better able to cope with conditions such as depression, low self-esteem, anxiety and general stress.

MDMA, EDM and drug culture

Songs in the electronic dance music (EDM) genre often feature colorful lyrics praising various forms of MDMA such as ecstasy and molly, in many cases their euphoric and stress-reducing effects. MDMA is a popular drug at raves, where upbeat, bass-heavy instrumentals often surround lyrics that emphasize the highs of MDMA and wild gatherings. Young people attending raves may have access to ecstasy as part of the high-vibe environment, which features heavy, fast-paced music accompanied by bass drums.

With an open mind to listeners seeking “good vibes” and few consequences, and access to MDMA at raves, addictions can easily become the norm for some. The dangers of these glorified drugs are numerous. Addiction risk aside, curious experimenters can get bad batches of MDMA laced with cocaine, bath salts, heroin, or crack.

MDMA is increasingly being mentioned by rappers and pop musicians, as well as EDM artists. In particular, Molly, a powdered or crystalline form of MDMA, is popular in modern music — especially hip-hop and EDM. Many musicians relate directly to molly experiments, with some artists writing songs about mixing molly with water, a combination known as molly water.

Studies have shown that the power of drug suggestion in music is associated with increases in MDMA use. Open-minded, adventurous listeners can easily come across suggestive lyrics that pique their curiosity.

music festivals and recreational drug abuse

Music festivals are exciting experiences that combine community and the thrill of musical expression. Unfortunately, many participants consider drug and alcohol abuse to be a significant part of the experience. Many people at music festivals find themselves drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, and using MDMA to enhance the experience. A recent survey of music festival-goers found the following:

75% used alcohol

38% used marijuana

13% used molly or ecstasy

8% used mushrooms

8% consumed LSD

7% used cocaine

4% used opioids

The open environment and availability of drugs at music festivals creates an enticing space for consumption. The festival members’ carefree attitude also encourages impressionable youth to satisfy their curiosity to experiment with drugs.

Understanding the power of creative expression combined with the suggestion of thrill and excitement through the promises of drug use can significantly reduce the risk of drug use and addiction. What may start out as a harmless experiment can later turn into addiction, uncomfortable symptoms, reckless and risky behavior, hangovers, and in some cases addiction.

By CHRIS KILLION

Rap music is very influential and according to some experts, it can have a positive or negative impact.

?To say that there is no influence and no effect is na?ve? said Murray Forman, professor of media studies at Northeastern University in Boston.

Today, rap has become a popular genre. It originated in the South Bronx in the 1970s and is part of hip-hop culture.

Hip hop encompasses everything from dance and fashion to music. Forman said rap is the vocal and lyrical aspect of hip hop.

Hip hop has grown in popularity over the years and its influence can be felt throughout society.

?It’s a well-known fact that hip-hop has sort of taken over mainstream youth culture,? said Emmett Price, a professor at Northeastern University in Boston who teaches hip-hop culture. “So from the age that they can talk through high school, the little kids are influenced by hip-hop culture, whether they listen to music or not.”

Whether hip-hop, especially rap, the musical aspect of hip-hop, has a negative or positive impact has long been debated.

Studies have been conducted showing an association between rap music and increased criminal behavior, sexual activity, and drug use.

Ralph DiClemente and his colleagues at Emory University in Atlanta studied 522 randomly selected African American women between the ages of 14 and 18 from the same area. The researchers were interested in how exposure to rap music videos affected the subjects. health.

The researchers divided the young women into two categories: high exposure or average to low exposure. The average exposure was about 20 hours per week.

The researchers found that the subjects after a year? Viewing habits have not changed. Those in the high exposure group were more likely to take sexual risks and use less condoms. The high exposure group was less likely to disagree with their boyfriend about sexual behavior.

The high exposure group was also more likely to have STDs, be drinkers and use more drugs.

DiClemente said this doesn’t mean rap videos cause such behavior, but that there is a strong association.

Other experts have also seen a club.

Price said he thinks it’s ?terrible? how the lyrics speak as if women are not equal to men. Also, the occurrence of derogatory statements about race and the concept of the love of money, as well as the image portrayed in rap music of drugs and sex being commonplace, all have a negative impact on listeners.

?Many of these ideas are not ideas that we want to pass on to young children without proper contextualization?,? he said.

Price said it’s not bad to talk about sex in music, but it gets bad when the rappers don’t put the term in the right context.

Susan Weber, a music therapist at MMB Music, Inc. in St. Louis, said if someone keeps rapping about killing cops, someone is more likely to kill cops because people are receptive to suggestions.

Many experts agree that rap has its greatest impact on children, where its influence can be particularly strong.

“A lot of young people listen to their [rapper?] lyrics and take their word for the law,”? said Salome Thomas El, a downtown Philadelphia elementary and middle school principal who writes for ?The O?Reilly Factor? on Fox News on the subject of rap and its impact on children.

He said children ?live what they learn and learn what they live? and a lot of these kids who come from broken homes look up to the rapper.

?Often he [the rapper] becomes a teacher? said Thomas El. ?He becomes a role model for these young people.?

He said he’s seen rap music and videos negatively impact his school kids. He said the school children would use profanity and wear baggy trousers. Girls dress like the women in the videos, who are often dressed inappropriately.

Forman said he’s skeptical of reports saying rap and hip-hop are negative. He said there are other factors at play too, like a broken home, mental health issues or economic depression.

Some experts have seen that rap has potential to be a positive influence.

Thomas El said he knows all rappers aren’t negative because some do positive things. His problem is that they don’t rap about those positive things.

“Some of these guys are very smart business people, I mean Jay-Z owns his own record label.” he said.

Soul music was grafted into political movements during the civil rights era, and hip-hop is similarly capable of ?grafting into some of the new power politics of the early 21st century? said Forman.

Many people have seen that rap has a positive impact on society. It is an artistic form and allows people to express themselves in a positive way.

Forman said rap is helping young artists emerge from the economic depression. The young artists also help their family, friends and neighbors overcome economic depressions. Rap opens doors for young artists to express themselves.

Rap also allows young black people to articulate a specific cultural perspective and helps others understand what’s going on in the minds of young black people in urban settings, he said.

Price said music is about expression.

“At some level, we have to listen to what these people [rap artists] are saying, because in a way they’re telling us what’s wrong in society, or maybe they’re telling us what’s good in society,” he said said. “So in a way, I think everything matters.”

He also said that the innovation associated with rap is “fantastic”. He also said that using a turntable as an instrument through scratching and adopting the new dance styles mixed with the old styles was phenomenal.

Breaking: The dance style of hip hop

Image via Creative Commons; flickr.com user Néstor Baltodano

Richard Colón was just 10 years old when his cousin took him to his first schoolyard party in 1976. “Ah, I was just blown away,” he says in Jeff Chang’s hip-hop story Can’t Stop Won’t Stop. “I just saw all these kids having fun … watching the whole scene and it was the first time I saw the dance with the music played … I just became a part of it right away.”

He soon became a big part of it. By his early teens, the boy now immortalized as “Crazy Legs” became a trendsetter for Breaking – a dance revolution that’s still rocking, gripping and rocking the world.

Making a B line out of the Bronx

As hip-hop culture rose from the streets of the Bronx, Breaking evolved and emerged from the concrete itself. Early breaker girls and b-boys like Crazy Legs and his Rock Steady crew earned their skills on this hard ground, admiring each other’s cuts, bruises and “battle scars” while prodding each other to ever bolder style displays and Guts.

In keeping with hip hop’s improvisational ethic, breaking is often a dance style created on the fly. It mixes super-fast footwork with body-contorting twists. Robotic movements flow into gentle full-body waves before descending into acrobatic leg movements that suddenly halt in mid-spin freezes that seem to defy gravity. Breaking is the ultimate 3-D dance – skipping high, spinning low, and emphasizing physical imagination and bravery.

Get on the good foot

Breaking has copied from many dance styles to generate this uniqueness. These styles include the Charleston from 100 years ago, which lent its signature leg kick and arm swing as a top-rocking move. The ad-libbing of the Lindy Hop, popular from the 1920s, lives in the breaking style. For individual inspiration, however, no one can top soul singer James Brown. His high-energy dance moves throughout the 1960s and ’70s have inspired b-boys and b-girls ever since, and his song “Get on the Good Foot” is one of Breaking’s early anthems. Tap, stepping, ballet, disco and modern continue to contribute.

Breaking has looked beyond the dance floor and stage for many of his most dramatic moves. For example, the twirling torsos and legs of pommel horse gymnasts can be seen in leg kicks. Down-rocking reflects techniques from floor exercises. The world of hand-to-hand combat has also inspired b-boys and b-girls. Hip-hop scholars often associate breaking with capoeira, a martial arts dance with roots in Angola and Brazil that showcases acrobatics, grace, and power. A full blown showdown makes clear why breaking contests are called “battles,” as dancers mix dance moves with shadow kicks, leg sweeps and false attacks in the faces of the competition.

However, breaking is much more than a sum of movements from different dances and disciplines. It’s a living, breathing art form that’s unique each time dancers take their turn in a cipher (see sidebar). Over the years, the Rock Steady Crew, the Mighty Zulu Kings, the Lockers, the Electric Boogaloos and thousands of other individuals and crews have continually renewed and refreshed the style with original spins, fresh freezes and new twists on power moves – often laced with physical ones Humor. Competition and innovation in breaking – as in all things hip hop – is essential and inspiring, and today his style inspires wherever people dance.

We all agree that music is loved and heard by everyone. Regardless of age group, gender group, or even race or ethnicity, music is loved, heard, and created by everyone. For many, it is a way to connect not only with others but with ourselves. It’s related to how we’re feeling, whether happy or sad, there’s always a song we can relate to that expresses how we’re feeling about a certain situation or problem that life has thrown at us. This is especially true for teenagers, however, as parents are well aware that the music a teenager listens to as they develop and grow up has a lot to do with how they behave in society.

Music tastes seem to change from generation to generation, your children are less likely to have the same taste in music as you. Nowadays, rap music has become the most popular genre and attracts the attention of many youngsters. It’s a very controversial subject, as many believe that rap, because of its harsh and explicit words, as well as the highly sexual depictions of music, which according to the Content Analysis of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs in Popular Music research group.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, many of the rap lyrics contribute to suicide, violence, and inappropriate sexual content in lyrics that also affect teenagers and contribute to engaging in drugs and alcohol at a younger age. It is believed that many men who listen to rap music have more violent tendencies than those who do not listen to rap music. This includes being generally more disrespectful and aggressive towards women. A study by Emory University concluded that teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 who listened to music about 14 hours a week were three times more likely to get into an argument with a teacher and 2.5 times more likely to be arrested 1.5- times more likely to participate in illegal activities such as underage drinking and drug experimentation, including contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Another 2005 study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that 77% of the top rap songs for teens that year mentioned drugs and alcohol. This was a problem as for many teenagers rappers become their idols in life and a good majority of them participate in drug use and gang violence. Not only do rappers influence lifestyles, fashion also plays an important role for many. Rappers create fashion trends like wearing baggy clothes, and for some, wearing less is more.

Classical music has been shown to improve a child’s vocabulary and improve comprehension. Those who also participate in playing different types of musical instruments also promote self-confidence and self-esteem.

Keep your brain young with music

If you want to tone your body, go to the gym. If you want to train your brain, listen to music. There are few things that stimulate the brain like music. If you want to keep your brain engaged throughout the aging process, listening or playing music is a great tool. It offers a complete brain workout. Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain, as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.

The Brain-Music Connection Experts try to understand how our brain can hear and play music. A stereo system creates vibrations that travel through the air and somehow end up in the ear canal. These vibrations tickle the eardrum and are translated into an electrical signal that travels through the auditory nerve to the brainstem, where it is reassembled into what we perceive as music. Johns Hopkins researchers had dozens of jazz artists and rappers improvise music while lying in an fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) machine to observe and see which areas of their brains light up. Music is structural, mathematical and architectural. It is based on relationships between one note and the next. You may not be aware of it, but your brain has to do a lot of calculations to understand it.

Give it a try Learn an Instrument When 13 older adults took piano lessons, their attention, memory and problem-solving skills improved, along with their mood and quality of life. You don’t have to become a pro, just take a few lessons.

Everyday Brain Boost through Music The power of music isn’t limited to interesting research. Try these methods to bring more music—and brain benefits—into your life. Start your creativity. Hear what your kids or grandkids are listening to, experts advise. We often continue to listen to the same songs and genres of music that we listened to in our teens and twenties, and we generally avoid listening to anything that isn’t from that era. New music challenges the brain in ways that old music doesn’t. It may not feel comfortable at first, but this unfamiliarity forces the brain to make an effort to understand the new sound. Recall a memory from a long time ago. Reach for familiar music, especially if it’s from the same period you’re trying to remember. For example, listening to the Beatles might take you back to the first moment you saw your spouse. Listen to your body. Notice how you respond to different forms of music and choose the kind that works for you. What helps one person focus can distract another, and what helps one person relax makes another nervous.