1. The American Dream Project
By:
Monique Johnson

2. Runaway love by Ludacris
[Hook - Mary J. Blige] Runaway love [x8] Verse 2 - Ludacris] Little Nicole is only 10 years old She's steady trying to figure why the world is so cold Why she's not pretty and nobody seems to like her Alcoholic step-dad always wanna strike her Yells and abuses, leaves her with some bruises Teachers ask questions she making up excuses Bleeding on the inside, crying on the out It's only one girl really knows what she about Her name is lil Stacy and they become friends Promise that they always be tight 'til the end Until one day lil Stacy gets shot A drive by bullet went stray up on her block Now Nicole stuck up in the world on her own Forced to think that hell is a place called home Nothing else to do but get her clothes and pack She says she's 'bout to run away and never come back. [Hook - Mary J. Blige] Runaway love [x8]
[Verse 3 - Ludacris] Little Erica is eleven years old She's steady trying to figure why the world is so cold So she pops x to get rid of all the pain Plus she's having sex with a boy who's sixteen Emotions run deep and she thinks she's in love So there's no protection he's using no glove Never thinking 'bout the consequences of her actions Living for today and not tomorrow's satisfaction The days go by and her belly gets big The father bails out he ain't ready for a kid Knowing her mama will blow it all outta proportion Plus she lives poor so no money for abortion Erica is stuck up in the world on her own Forced to think that hell is a place called home Nothing else to do but get her clothes and pack She say she's about to run away and never come back.
Hook - Mary J. Blige] Runaway love Runaway love Runaway love Runaway love Runaway love Runaway love Runaway love Runaway love [Verse 1 - Ludacris] Now little Lisa is only 9 years old She's trying to figure out why the world is so cold Why she's all alone and ain't never met her family Mama's always gone and she never met her daddy Part of her is missing and nobody will listen Mama is on drugs getting high up in the kitchen Bringing home men at different hours of the night Starting with some laughs -- usually ending in a fight Sneaking in her room while her mama's knocked out Trying to have his way and little Lisa says 'ouch' She tries to resist but then all he does is beat her Tries to tell her mom but her mama don't believe her Lisa is stuck up in the world on her own Forced to think that hell is a place called home Nothing else to do but get some clothes and pack She says she's 'bout to run away and never come back. [Hook - Mary J. Blige] Runaway love [x8]
This song is about how young females that live in the ghetto or hood and how they don’t have a silver spoon in their mouth. How they get pregnant or how they don’t feel loved.

3. Like a boy by Ciara
[Verse: 1] Pull up your pants (Just Like Em') Take out the trash (Just Like Em') getting ya cash like em' Fast like em' Girl you outta act like ya dig (What I'm talkin' bout') Security codes on everything Vibrate so your phone don't ever ring (Joint Account) And another one he don't know about [Hook] Wish we could switch up the roles And I could be that... Tell you I love you But when you call I never get back Would you ask them questions like me?... Like where you be at? Cause I'm out 4 in the morning On the corner rolling Doing my own thing Oh [Chorus] What if I?... Had a thing on the side? Made ya cry? Would the rules change up?... Or would they still apply?... If I played you like a toy?... Sometimes I wish I could act like a boy [Guy Chopped & Screwed Voice] Can't be getting mad! What You Mad? Can't Handle that! Can't be getting mad! What you mad? Can't handle that!
[Guy Chopped & Screwed Voice] Can't be getting mad! What You Mad? Can't Handle that! Can't be getting mad! What you mad? Can't handle that! Can't be getting mad! What you mad? Can't handle that! Can't be getting mad! What you mad? Can't handle that! [Bridge] If I was always gone With the sun getting home (Would Ya Like That?) Told you I was with my crew When I knew it wasn't true (Would Ya Like That?) If I act like you Walk A mile off in yo shoes (Would Ya Like That?) I'm messing with your head again Dose of your own medicine [Chorus] What if I?... Had a thing on the side? Made ya cry? Would the rules change up?... Or would they still apply?... If I played you like a toy?... Sometimes I wish I could act like a boy [Guy Chopped & Screwed Voice] Can't be getting mad! What You Mad? Can't Handle that! Can't be getting mad! What you mad? Can't handle that! Can't be getting mad! What you mad? Can't handle that! Can't be getting mad! What you mad? Can't handle that!
[Music Plays] [Outro] If I played you... Would yo like that? Had friends... Would you like that? never call? Would you like that? Hell naw You wouldn't like that No! [Half-Chorus] What if I made ya cry! Would they still apply! What if I... If I played you like a toy Sometimes I wish I could act
like a boy!
[Verse: 2] Girl go head and be... (Just Like Em') Go run the streets (Just Like Em') come home late say sleep like em' Creep like em' Front with ya friends Act hard when you're with em' like em' (What) Keep a straight face when ya tell a lie Always keep an air-tight alibi (Keep Him In The Dark) What he don't know won't break his heart [Hook] Wish we could switch up the roles And I could be that... Tell you I love you But when you call I never get back Would you ask them questions like me?... Like where you be at? Cause I'm out 4 in the morning On the corner rolling Doing my own thing Yea [Chorus] What if I?... Had a thing on the side? Made ya cry? Would the rules change up?... Or would they still apply?... If I played you like a toy?... Sometimes I wish I could act like a boy
In this song ciara is talking about how men sometimes mistreat women. And how they feel its wrong for us to give them payback. Like they can do it and we can’t.

4. Good life by Kanye West
Y'all pop the trunk, I pop the hood, Ferrari And she got the goods And she got that ass, I got to look, sorry Yo it's got to be cause I'm seasoned Haters give me them salty looks, Lawry's 50 told me go 'head switch the style up And if they hate then let 'em hate And watch the money pile up, the good life [Hook] Now I, I go for mine, I got to shine Now throw your hands up in the sky Now I, I go for mine, I got to shine Now throw your hands up in the sky [T-Pain] I'ma get on this TV mama, I'ma I'ma put shit down Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey Hey, I'm good [Verse 2 Kanye West] Welcome to the good life Where we like the girls who ain't on TV Cause they got more (Ass than the models) The good life, so keep it coming' with the bottles Till she feel boozed like she bombed out Apollo The good life, it feel like Houston It feel like Philly, it feel like D.C. It feel like VA, or the Bay, or Ye Ayy, this is the good life
[Kanye West] Like we always do at this time I go for mine, I got to shine Now throw your hands up in the sky I g-go for mine, I got to shine Now throw your hands up in the sky [T-Pain] I'ma get on this TV mama, I'ma I'ma put shit down Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey Hey, I'm good [Verse 1 Kanye West] Welcome to the good life Where niggaz that sell D won't even get pulled over in they new V The good life, let's go on a living' spree Shit they say the best things in life are free The good life, it feel like Atlanta It feel like L.A., it feel like Miami It feel like N.Y., summertime Chi, ahh (Now throw your hands up in the sky) So I roll through good
Verse 3] Have you ever popped champagne on a plane While getting' some brain Whipped it out, she said "I never seen snakes on a plane" Whether you broke or rich you gotta get biz Having' money's the everything that having' it is I was splurging' on trizz But when I get my card back activated I'm back to Vegas cause I always had a passion for flashing' before I had it I close my eyes and imagine, the good life [T-Pain] Is the good life better than the life I live When I thought that I was gonna go crazy And now my grandmamma ain't the only girl calling me baby And if you feeling' me now then put your hands up in the sky And let me hear you say hey, hey, hey, ooh I'm good
Homie, tell me what's good Why I only got a problem when you in the hood Like I'm new in the hood, the only thing I wish? (I wish a nigga would) He probably think he could, but, but I don't think he should 50 told me go 'head switch the style up And if they hate then let 'em hate And watch the money pile up, the good life [Hook] Now I, I go for mine, I got to shine Now throw your hands up in the sky Now I, I go for mine, I got to shine Now throw your hands up in the sky
This song is about how everyone wants to life the good life and they want to have money and life rich. How they came up from nothin to live the good life.

5. Locked up by Akon
Cuz visitation no longer comes by, Seems like they forgot about me, Commissary is getting empty, My cell mates getting food without me, Can't wait to get out and move forward with my life, Got a family that loves me and wants me to do right But instead I'm here locked up [CHORUS] They won't let me out, they won't let me out, (ohhh I'm locked up) They won't let me out no, they wont let me out, (my nigga I'm locked up) They won't let me out, they won't let me out, (I'm locked up) They won't let me out no, they won't let me out Maybe a visit (they won't let me out) Send me some magazines (they won't let me out) Send me some money orders (they won't let me out, no) Maybe a visit baby (they won't let me out) Cuz I'm locked up, they won't let me out. Wheres my lawyer? (they won't let me out) I'm locked up, they won't let me out, no. Get me outta here (they won't let me out) I'm locked up, they won't let me out, they won't let me out. Baby Im locked up they won't let me out, no Where's my niggaz? On the lock-down. Damn, I'm locked up, they won't let me out. I'm locked up, they won't let me out. Ohhh... they won't let me out. Can you please accept my phone calls? Cuz I'm locked up, locked up, locked up.
[AKON] Im steady tryna find a motive, Why do what I do?, Freedom aint gettin no closer, No matter how far I go, My car is stolen, no registration, Cops patrolin, and now they done stop me, And I get locked up, [Chorus] They won't let me out, they won't let me out, (I'm locked up) They won't let me out no, they wont let me out, (I'm locked up) They won't let me out, they won't let me out, (I'm locked up) They won't let me out no, they won't let me out [Akon] Headin up town to re-up, Back with a couple keys, Corner blocks on fire, Under covers dressed as feens, Makin so much money, Products movin' fast, Put away the stash, And as I sold the last bag fucked around and got locked up [CHORUS] They won't let me out, they won't let me out, (my nigga I'm locked up) They won't let me out no, they wont let me out, (I got locked up) They won't let me out, they won't let me out, (baby girl I'm locked up) They won't let me out no, they won't let me out
This song is about how some people hang around the wrong people and get locked up and put into prison even tho they have people who love them and want them to do right. they just hang around the same people and do the wrong things.

6. S.E.X by Lyfe Jennings
S.E.X.
Eh yo you now see most cats, would take advantage of you right now but I ain't gone do that yo I’ma give you the game, right I’ma give it to you because I would want somebody to give my little girl the game when she done found her s.e.x Life’s a trip virgin just turned 17 and finally got some hips hustlers on the block go crazy when you lick ya lips but they just want relation they don’t want relationship (welcome to the real world) it ain’t the same fellas old enough to be ya daddy know ya name everybody's talking’ ‘bout how much that girl done changed can’t quite put ya finger on it but you feelin’ strange like it's fire in your veins (Chorus) Girl it’s just your s.e.x. mama's secret and daddy gone go crazy when he finds out that his baby’s found her s.e.x. take a deep breath and think before you let it go (let it go) the block is packed baby gotta attitude and proud to holla back momma’s givin’ advice but she ain’t tryna hear that not because it's wrong, just her delivery is wack (shay get ya behind in this house, if I see you with another boy, I swear) life is rough, you say that you’re not ready for sex, but you’re in love he says if you’d really loved him, you would give it up mama says that’s just a line guys use to get ya stuff which one will you trust?
Girl it’s just your s.e.x. mama's secret and daddy gone go crazy when he finds out that his baby’s found her s.e.x. take a deep breath and think before you let it go (let it go) Eh yo Lyfe, she may take it better coming from a woman (give it to her) see he’ll tell you all kind of things to get in your pants, yeah baby it’s a fact, that once it’s gone (it's gone) you’ll never get it back (never get it back) hold on, to your innocence use your common sense you’re worth waiting for (you’re worth waiting for) be strong honey don’t give in blessing come with patience until we meet again, I’m praying, for you (Chorus) girl it’s just your s.e.x. mama's secret and daddy gone go crazy when he finds out that his baby’s found her s.e.x. take a deep breath and think before you let it go (let it go)
I Chose this song because it explains one of the difficult decisions most teens are faced with from day to day. Some females are mislead by men who are older than they are and made to believe that they are in love, but the truth is the man only wants to be with her for sex.

7. Minority report by Jay-z
What if he ran out of jet fuel and just dropped
hu,That woulda been something to watch
Helicopters doing fly-bys to take a couple of shots
Couple of portraits then ignored 'em
He'd be just another bush surrounded by a couple orchids
Poor kids just 'cause they were poor kids
Left 'em on they porches same old story in New Orleans
Silly rappers, because we got a couple Porches
MTV stopped by to film our fortresses
We forget the unfortunate
Sure I ponied up a mill, but I didn't give my time
So in reality I didn't give a dime, or a d a m n
I just put my monies in the hands of the same people that left my people stranded
Nothin' but a bandit
Left them folks abandoned
D a m n, that money that we gave was just a band-aid
Can't say we better off than we was before
In synopsis this is my minority report
[Verse 2 - Ne-Yo]
So many times I'm, covering my eyes
Peeking through my fingers
Tryin' to hide my, frustration at the way that we treat
(Seems like we don't even care)
Turn on the TV, seein' the pain
Sayin' such a shame
Then tryin' to go on with my life
Of that, I too, am guilty
So we send a lil' money, tell 'em it's alright
To be able to sleep at night
You will pay that price
While some of these folks' lost their whole life
Now it wasn't on the nightly news no more
Suddenly it didn't matter to you no more
In the end almost nothing changed
What the h e l l, what was that for?
"Minority Report"
(feat. Ne-Yo)
[Intro: News Excerpts]
The damage here along the gulf coast is catastrophic.
There's a frantic effort under way tonight to find
survivors. There are an uncounted number of the dead tonight...
People are being forced to live like animals...
We are desperate...
No one says the federal government is doing a good job..
And hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people...
No water, I fought my country for years..
We need help, we really need help..
In Baghdad, they they drop, they air drop water, food to people..why cant they do that to their own people?
The same idiots that can't get water into a major American city in less than three days are trying to
win a war...
[Verse 1 - Jay-Z]
People was poor before the hurricane came
But the down pour poured is like when Mary J. sang
Every day it rains, so every day the pain
But ignored them, and showed em the risk was to blame
For life is a chain, cause and effected
Ni g g as off the chain because they affected
It's a dirty game so whatever is effective
From weed to selling kane, gotta put that in effect
Wouldn't you loot, if you didn't have the loot?
Baby needed food and you stuck on the roof
Helicopter swooped down just to get a scoop
Through his telescopic lens but he didn't scoop you
The next five days, no help ensued
They called you a refugee because you seek refuge
The commander-in-chief just flew by
Did he stop? No, he had a couple seats
Just proved jet blue he's not
Jet flew by the spot
[Outro: News Excerpts]
...Buses are on the way to take those people from New Orleans to Houston
...They lyin'
...People are dying at the convention center
...Their government has failed them
...George Bush doesn't care about black people
This song describes the situation in New Orleans with Hurricane Katrina. The government didnt respond immediately and sent minimal help so the citizens accused the president of not caring enough for his own citizens because of his involvement with a war wit another country.

8. Family Portrait by pink
Can we work it out? Can we be a family? I promise I'll be better, Mommy I'll do anything Can we work it out? Can we be a family? I promise I'll be better, Daddy please don't leave In our family portrait, we look pretty happy Let's play pretend, let's act like it comes naturally I don't wanna have to split the holidays I don't want two addresses I don't want a step-brother anyways And I don't want my mom to have to change her last name In our family portrait we look pretty happy We look pretty normal, let's go back to that [ Lyrics provided by ] In our family portrait we look pretty happy Let's play pretend, act like it goes naturally In our family portrait we look pretty
happy (Can we work it out? Can we be a family?) We look pretty normal, let's go back to that (I promise I'll be better, Mommy I'll do anything) In our family portrait we look pretty happy (Can we work it out? Can we be a family?) Let's play pretend act and like it comes so naturally (I promise I'll be better, Daddy please don't leave) In our family portrait we look pretty happy (Can we work it out? Can we be a family?) We look pretty normal, let's go back to that (I promise I'll be better, Daddy please don't leave) Mom will be nicer I'll be so much better, I'll tell my brother Oh, I won't spill the milk at dinner I'll be so much better, I'll do everything right I'll be your little girl forever I'll go to sleep at night
Uh, uh, some deep shit, uh, uh Momma please stop cryin, I can't stand the sound Your pain is painful and its tearin' me down I hear glasses breakin as I sit up in my bed I told dad you didn't mean those nasty things you said You fight about money, bout me and my brother And this I come home to, this is my shelter It ain't easy growin up in World War III Never knowin what love could be, you'll see I don't want love to destroy me like it has done my family Can we work it out? Can we be a family? I promise I'll be better, Mommy I'll do anything Can we work it out? Can we be a family? I promise I'll be better, Daddy please don't leave Daddy please stop yellin, I can't stand the sound
Make mama stop cryin, cuz I need you around My mama she loves you, no matter what she says its true I know that she hurts you, but remember I love you, too I ran away today, ran from the noise, ran away Don't wanna go back to that place, but don't have no choice, no way It ain't easy growin up in World War III Never knowin what love could be, well I've seen I don't want love to destroy me like it did my family Daddy don't leave Daddy don't leave Daddy don't leave Turn around please Remember that the night you left you took my shining star? Daddy don't leave Daddy don't leave Daddy don't leave Don't leave us here alone Mom will be nicer I'll be so much better, I'll tell my brother Oh, I won't spill the milk at dinner I'll be so much better, I'll do everything right I'll be your little girl forever I'll go to sleep at night
This song is about a girl that has family problems and her parents don’t get along and all she wants is to have a happy family. She wants her family to act like they look in the family portrait.

9. Keep ya head up by tupac
Little something for my god son Elija and a little girl named KoreemSome say tha Blacker tha berryTha sweeter tha juiceI say, tha darker tha flesh and tha deeper tha rootsI give a hollar to my sisters on welfare Tupac cares, but don't nobody else careI know they like ta beat ya down a lotAnd when ya come around tha block brothers clown a lotBut please don't cry, dry ya eyesNever let upForgive but don't forget girl keep ya head upAnd when he tells you you ain't nothinDon't believe himAnd if he can't learn ta love ya, you should leave himCuz sister you don't need himI ain't tryin ta gash up, but I just callem how I see 'emYa know what makes me unhappyWhen brothers make babiesAnd leave a young mother ta be a pappyAnd since we all came from a womanGot our name from a womanAnd out game from a womanI wonder why we take from our womenWhy we rape our womenDo we hate our women ?I think it's time ta kill for our womenTime ta heal our womenBe real to our womenAnd if we don'tWe'll have a race of babiesThat hate tha ladies that make tha babiesAnd since a man can't make oneHe has no right ta tell a woman when and where ta create oneSo will tha real men get upI know your fed up ladiesBut keep ya head upOooooh child things are gonna get easierOooooh child
things are gonna get brighterOooooh child things are gonna get easierOooooh child things are gonna get brighterI remember Marvin Gay, usta sing ta meHe had me feelin like black was tha thing ta beAnd suddenly tha ghetto didn't seem so tuffI thought we had it rough, we always had enoughI often huffed and puffed about my curfew and broke tha rulesRan with tha local crew and had a smoke or twoAnd realize momma really paid tha priceShe nearly gave her life, ta raise me rightAnd all I had ta give her was my pipe dreamsOf how i'd rock tha mic and make it to tha big screenI'm tryin ta make a dollar out of fifteen centsIt's hard ta be legit and still pay tha rentAnd in tha end it seems i'm headin for tha pennI try and find my friends, but they're blowin in tha windLast night my buddy lost his whole familyIt's gonna take tha man in meTa conquer this insanityIt seems tha rain will never let upI try ta Keep My Head Up and still keep from getting wet upYou know it's funny when it rains it poursThey got money for wars, but can't feed tha poorSad there ain't no hope for tha youth and tha truth isThere ain't no hope for tha futureAnd then they wonder why we crazyI blame my mother, for turning my brother into a crack babyWe ain't meant ta survive, cause it's a setupAnd even though ya fed upYa got ta Keep Ya
In this song tupac is telling us that no matter what we are going thru or the problems we face we should always look up and think positive.He talks about how the women are often disrespected by the men in today's society. He also talks about the government spending money on wars but wont spend money to fight poverty in their own countries.

10. Pain in my life by saigon
[Chorus: Trey Songz] {"So much pain in my life"} You feel this pain I've been havin' Wouldn't lead to much change Cuz down here, not muched changed Cause everbody wanna thug, mayn {"So much pain in my life"} If you knew the pain I sustained Just from lettin' my gun bang If you would pump your breaks young mayn You'd jump in the other lane [Saigon:] {"So much pain in my life"} I know how it feel I been in jail with none of my niggaz keepin' it real No dough, no mail, it was "yo, go to hell" Now they jealous cuz I'm hangin' out with Cocoa Chanel Even though I got pain in my life I keep it discreet I got a deal, I still sleep in the street Y'all hustle to get the keys to a jeep; til the judge throw the book at you fuckers and tell you to read it and weep {"So much pain in my life"} to let me not forget about Leonard The preacher been feelin' on leonard for a minute Told if he told his sould would be demented Even if he made it to the gate he wouldn't get in it {"It's pain in my life"} Y'all niggaz use pain for a gimmick But Leonard pain got pushed to the limit Got em' layin on the sofa one night, his throat sliced With a suicide not and a knife, what he write {"It's so much pain in my life"} That he's no longer wantin' to live it Breathin' is no longer important, forget it What he didn't write is that he was molested since he was five And would rather die before he was forced to admit it He said {"It's pain in my life"} this pain niggaz feel everyday My middle finger wave high to the critics I didn't get it, so what? Maybe I should just stay away And let my man, Trey Songz and them hit it
[Saigon:] Young Felicia was only four when she learned how to ride a bike Now she fourteen ridin' every Tom, Dick, and Mike I tell her "that ain't nice, why you livin' so trife" She told me "MYOB, homie, you don't know mw {"It's so much pain in my life"} Her sister the same Felecia claims she the one who hipped her to the game She fucked Jermaine because Jermaine had a shiny chain Now when she pee on the potty she feel a minor pain And she noticed her vagina changing; and not for the better She see bumps and all kinds of things The doctor suggested she take a HIV test, she said "Yes" Now she waitin to rest, she so stressed {"So much pain in my life"} And so say the bum on the corner When I ask him why he bummin' for quarters Was it him, or was it government order; Said he thirsty I offered him water, but he said he want somethin' stronger He said {"There's pain my life"} Said he needs something to numb it Somethin' to burn a hole in his stomach First I said "naw", but after talking to him; It was clear that his wife was his life and dope had murder the woman {"So much pain in my life"} That bum used rum to keep his feelings numb; Felicia was out there killin' them Her a fatherless daughter, him a daughterless father She a nymhomaniac, he got his toughts in th bottle Would it help for them to walk with a bible They both say, "nah" the finf Religion as akward as I do I could holla give a dollar but what more could I do Not much, they got fucked, it's what we call survival
In this song, he touches on many issues that go on in the poor communities including, homelessness, sexually transmitted diseases, and incarceration. He also brings up another topic of religious leaders and other figures who are looked up to, molesting children.

11. Lose yourself by eminem
Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity To seize everything you ever wanted-One moment Would you capture it or just let it slip? His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy There's vomit on his sweater already, mom's spaghetti He's nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready To drop bombs, but he keeps on forgettin What he wrote down, the whole crowd goes so loud He opens his mouth, but the words won't come out He's chokin, how everybody's jokin now The clock's run out, time's up over, bloah! Snap back to reality, Oh there goes gravity Oh, there goes Rabbit, he choked He's so mad, but he won't give up that Easy, no He won't have it , he knows his whole back's to these ropes It don't matter, he's dope He knows that, but he's broke He's so stagnant that he knows When he goes back to his mobile home, that's when it's Back to the lab again yo This whole rap shit He better go capture this moment and hope it don't pass him
[Hook] No more games, I'ma change what you call rage Tear this mothafuckin roof off like 2 dogs caged I was playin in the beginnin, the mood all changed I been chewed up and spit out and booed off stage But I kept rhymin and stepwritin the next cypher Best believe somebody's payin the pied piper All the pain inside amplified by the fact That I can't get by with my 9 to 5 And I can't provide the right type of life for my family Cuz man, these goddam food stamps don't buy diapers And it's no movie, there's no Mekhi Phifer, this is my life And these times are so hard and it's getting even harder Tryin to feed and water my seed, plus Teeter totter caught up between being a father and a prima donna Baby mama drama's screamin on and Too much for me to wanna Stay in one spot, another day of monotony Has gotten me to the point, I'm like a snail I've got to formulate a plot fore I end up in jail or shot Success is my only mothafuckin option, failure's not Mom, I love you, but this trailer's got to go I cannot grow old in Salem's lot So here I go is my shot. Feet fail me not cuz maybe the only opportunity that I got [Hook] You can do anything you set your mind to, man
[Hook:] You better lose yourself in the music, the moment You own it, you better never let it go You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo The soul's escaping, through this hole that it's gaping This world is mine for the taking Make me king, as we move toward a, new world order A normal life is borin, but superstardom's close to post mortem It only grows harder, only grows hotter He blows us all over these hoes is all on him Coast to coast shows, he's know as the globetrotter Lonely roads, God only knows He's grown farther from home, he's no father He goes home and barely knows his own daughter But hold your nose cuz here goes the cold water His hoes don't want him no mo, he's cold product They moved on to the next schmoe who flows He nose dove and sold nada So the soap opera is told and unfolds I suppose it's old partna', but the beat goes on Da da dum da dum da da
This song I chose because it tells us that no matter what we go through in life we can still achieve the success we dream about and live the dream that we wish to live. We should take advantage of every opportunity we have to obtain success.

12. Conflict diamonds by lupe fiasco
Diamonds are forever, they wont leave in the night i've no fear that they might. Desert me!! Uhh, F and F, uhh Diamonds are forever Yeah, ya no what im saying I figure, I feel like i should just, ya no Show people the other side that wonder where, ya no wat im sayin, that are presently unaware. They dont know about it, ya no wat im sayin, ya no jus show em theres another side to this thing right here, its called bling! [Verse 1:] Allow me to break down the game, behind the bracelets, earrings, chains, watches and rings. The bling, the crystal incrusted, princess flooded, canary studded, blue coloured and blood stained. Yeah the older brother of the drug game, that give her a fame, then take away her lane. the empowerer of the kings that came to claims and disease believe wat the native people were saying. Believe, my engagement ring received and flossed at the cost of a bondage child minus pain. Long ago kings use to wear em in their armour, when they fought other armies, because it use to scare em. If you wasn't rich couldn't wear em. Witches use to marry, and they'd shoot you before they share em. The gift and the curse, the venom and the serum. Most hated ladies best friend get murked for a clip. [Chorus]
Diamonds are forever... [Verse 2:] Cecil Rhodes sold war and genocide To the countryside just to get his shine on! I fear what De Beers and his peers use to do, before the world really knew, just to get their "mine" on! Making paper with slave labour and hittin little kids with life time bids making em cut and shine stones. Inflating the price and making em look nice and i wasnt thinking twice when i was putting mine on. About a young shorty in Sierra Leone or other conflict countries that people call home. I figured i would never go to Angola so it never did affect me that maybe indirectly. That my neckleash was funding a rebellion or a military coup, Started by militias that dont believe in following none of Geneva's rules. I was brushing off the haters, trying to be cool. Didnt have a clue that the rapper was helping the rapers, raiders of the villagers, pillagers of the schools. Shooters of the innocent, torturers of the witnesses, burners of the businesses And my bracelet was the fuel. Uhh, i aint pushing an agenda homie, Im just pushing the facts, Fuck Bush! Cuz theres people doin worse on this earth and there black,
I took it for years now let me bring it back, We all know on foreign shores that they finance wars, but asks yourself do they finance yours. When i first got mine i took em out on tour, they only lost half the value when i took em out the store. Or it was full of moissanites and cubics but the jeweller knew i was stupid and that i couldnt prove it. Feeling like i need it because i do music, to impress the groupies and the interviewers. So i didnt appraise it, nor did i loop it, even gave em to my girl, thinkin i was cupid. Homies was all hate hoping they could make me lose it, creeping through my own hood knew i had to remove it. I see the Russian Mafia, the Jewish Mobsters, the undercover terrorists and the traps for the hustlers. Homie its a wrap for the nonsense rhyming, props to Kanye i call this Conflict Diamonds.
This song was made to inform many people who do not know about the civil wars in other countries over the diamonds that make the jewelry that many people dream of owning. There are innocent men, women, and children who die everyday as a result of these wars and conflicts over diamonds and every time some one goes to the jewelry store to purchase a diamond they are helping this problem to continue indirectly.

13. Dear mama by tupac
You are appreciated When I was young, me and my mama had beef years old kicked out on tha streets though back in tha time, I never thought I'd see her face ain't a woman alive that can take my mommas place suspended from school, scared ta go home I was a fool with tha big boys breaking all tha rules shed tears with my baby sister over tha years we wuz poorer than tha other little kids and even though we had different dadies tha same drama when things went wrong we blamed mama I reminised on tha stress I caused, it wuz hell hugg'en on my mama from a jail cell and who'ed think in elementry, heeeey i'd see tha penatentry One day running from tha Police, that's right Momma catch me--put a whoop'en to my backside and even as a crack fiend mama, ya always was a black queen mama I finally understand for a woman it ain't easy--trying ta raise a man ya always wuz commited, a poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it there's no way I can pay ya back but tha plan is ta show ya that I understand you are appreciated Laaaaady, don't cha know we luv ya Sweeeet Laaaady, place no one above ya Sweeeet Laaaady, don't cha know we luv ya Ain't nobody tell us it wuz fair no luv for my daddy, cause tha coward wuzn't there he passed away and I didn't cry cause my anger, wouldn't let me feel for a stranger they say i'm wrong and i'm heartless but all along I wuz looking for a father--he wuz gone I hung around with tha thug's and even though they sold drugs they showed a young brother luv I moved out and started really hang'in I needed money of my own so I started slang'in I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks It feels good, putting money in your mailbox I love paying rent when tha rents due I hope ya got tha diamond necklace that I sent to you cause when I wuz low, you was there for me ya never left me alone, cause ya cared for me and I can see ya coming home after work late ya in tha kitchen trying ta fix us a hot plate just working with tha scraps you wuz given and mama made miracles every Thanksgiving but now tha road got rough, your alone trying ta raise two bad kids on your own
and there's no way I can pay ya back but my plan is ta show ya that I understand you are appreciated Laaaaady, don't cha know we luv ya Sweeeet Laaaady, place no one above ya Sweeeet Laaaady, don't cha know we luv ya pour out some liquor and I remenise cause through tha drama, I can always depend on my mama and when it seems that i'm hopeless you say tha words that can get me back in focus when I wuz sick as a little kid ta keep me happy theres no limit to tha things ya did and all my childhood memories are full of all tha sweet things ya did for me and even though I act craaaazy I got ta thank tha Lord that ya maaaade me There are no words that can express how I feel Ya never kept a secret, always stayed real and I appreciate how ya raised me and all tha extra love that ya gave me I wish I could take tha pain away If you can make it through tha night, there's a brighter day everything'll be alright if ya hold on it's a strugle everyday gotta roll on and there's no way I can pay ya back but my plan is ta show ya that I understand you are appreciated
This explains the many sacrifices young women must make when raising children as a single mother. Most are forced to live in the ghetto on welfare.Since there is no father figure around so the young man resorts to hangin with the older men in the streets and most times end up in prison becauseof the environment they are subjected to.

14. Live in the sky by T.I.
[spoken] Whats happening man this T.I.P. you kno I like to dedicate this song to anybody who ever lost Somebody, to the grave, to the streets, to the jail cell, I done been in situations where I done had to Cope with all three you kno what I'm saying, I feel like the only thing haven't done die you kno..Just Remember where you live while you here aint half as important as where you gone live when you leave you Kno what I'm saying [Chorus] Life's up and downs they come and go ....but when I die I hope I live in the sky...All my folks who Aint alive I hope they live in the sky..pray to God when I die that I live in the sky ..It's true what Goes around comes back you kno..So when I die I hope I love in the sky..All my folk who aint survive may They live in the sky...Tell God I wanna fly and let me live in the sky... [Verse 1] My cousin Toot aint have to die right in front of his son and his wife He lost his life struggling over a gun Give a damn what he done that my muthafuckin folk and I love that nigga til death no muthafuckin joke I can feel my eyes feelin the lord is my witness If I catch em Imma kill em I made it my bizness Back in the day you stayed in my bizness taught I didnt have to corporate yay in my bizness Coincedently that's why today you not wit me My cousin died ova some yay and I miss em Plus he had his family out let's say she the eye witness But her boyfriend did the shooting judge gave her life sentence I heard that now I'm dressed up in all black Shot up the whole apartments and still and brought back The best friend I had in Jamel I lost that I guess your death was a lesson in life it taught me that
[Verse 3] I bet you niggas thinking that I living it up Til you see polices laughing as they pickin me up Went from seeing how many bitches i can fit in the truck To 3 hots and a cot is you kidding or what fuck how Many millions I got nigga so what if I'm hot when I got prices on my head Feds rushing my spot a million Haters wont me dead force to carry me gat But you a seven time felon wat you doing with dat It's a catch 22 either you lose or lose Thats the way the game structured for real niggas to suffer And I aint never Been a busta alway stood on my feet Like a man prepared to take what ever coming for me A pussy nigga Or polices wit a warrant for me I'm a "G" prepared to die for whats important to me Look anybody in the Eye who say they want it wit me Put up the house and bet the odds if coming from me OG's say I need to Learn and be patient You telling me wit these seven years of probation Pistol charges and a host of Other open cases If niggas only knew the kind of time I was facing I tried to keep to myself but Sometime I couldnt take it Got 4 kids wit smiles on they faces Mean more to me than my crown and my bracelet Take that away from me and my life is butt naked repeat chorus
[repeat chorus] [Verse 2] Who ever seen a nigga go to jail sleep til day two Well thats how sick I was when Jay blew Found out The hard way that whating pour they was tooting Over-dosed on heroin died at 22 If you aint heard about Daughter she smile just like you So cute even resorts to violence like you You kno you ya baby mama Loose but ha what can you do And I got 4 myself yep it's been a few Now everything I do is for King, messiah, deyjah, demani Lord they all I got so please don't take em from me From me standin in the Trap wit corin and sir kap Laughin at the niggas who serve with no strap Tell them niggas man yall Trippin wit no map Ya robbing ask to borrow my pistol aint no hap Me, you, the crew just fell out ova Dough and a little crack Never could apolygize cause you died that's why they saying.. [repeat chorus]
This song talks about the problems we face when dealing with losing a loved one and also shows that no matter how much success or money one may have, they are still subject to the same problems that ordinary people have to deal with on a day to day basis. This proves that no one is different from the next person and nobody is better than anyone else because of how much we have in life.

15. Sing for the moment by eminem
[Eminem] These ideas are, nightmares to white parents whose worst fear is a child with dyed hair and who likes earrings Like whatever they say has no bearing It's so scary in a house that allows, no swearing to see him walkin around with his headphones blaring Alone in his own zone, cold and he don't care He's a problem child, and what bothers him all comes out when he talks about, his fuckin dad walkin out Cause he just hates him so bad that he, blocks him out If he ever saw him again he'd probably knock him out His thoughts are whacked, he's mad so he's talkin back Talkin black, brainwashed from rock and rap He sags his pants; doo rags and a stockin cap His step-father hit him so he, socked him back and broke his nose, his house is a broken home There's no control, he just let's his emotions go [Chorus: Eminem] C'mon! Sing with me (Sing!) Sing for the year (Sing it) Sing for the laughter, sing for the tear (C'mon!) Sing it with me, Just for today Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away... [Eminem] Entertainment is changin, intertwinin with gangsters In the land of the killers a sinner's mind is a sanctum Holy or unnholy, only have one homie Only this gun - lonely cause don't anyone know me Yet everybody just feels like they can relate I guess words are a motherfucker, they can be great or they can degrate; or even worse, they can teach hate It's like these kids hang on every single statement we make like they worship us, plus all the stores ship us platinum Now how the fuck did this metamorphosis happen? From standin on corners and porches just rappin to havin a fortune, no more kissin ass But then these critics crucify you, journalists try to burn you
Fans turn on you, attorneys all want a turn at you to get they hands on every dime you have They want you to lose your mind every time you mad So they can try to make you out to look like a loose cannon Any dispute won't hesitate to produce handguns That's why these prosecutors wanna convict me Strictly just to get me off of these streets quickly But all they kids be listenin to me religiously So I'm signin CD's while police fingerprint me They're for the judge's daughter but his grudge is against me If I'm such a fuckin menace this shit doesn't make sense B! It's all political, if my music is literal and I'm a criminal how the FUCK can I raise a little girl? I couldn't; I wouldn't be fit to You're full of shit too Guerrera - that was a FIST that hit you! [Chorus] [Eminem] They say music can alter moods and talk to you Well can it load a gun up for you and cock it too? Well if it can, and the next time you assault a dude Just tell the judge it was my fault, and I'll get sued See what these kids do is hear about us totin pistols and they want to get one cause, they think the shit's cool Not knowin we really just protectin ourselves We entertainers, of course the shit's affectin our sales You ignoramus, but music is reflection of self We just explain it, and then we get our checks in the mail It's fucked up ain't it? How we can come from practically nothin
to bein able to have any fuckin thing that we wanted That's why we, sing for these kids who don't have a thing except for a dream and a fuckin rap magazine Who post pin-up pictures on they walls all day long Idolize they favorite rappers and know all they songs Or for anyone who's ever been through shit in they lives 'Til they sit and they cry at night wishin they'd die 'Til they throw on a rap record and they sit and they vibe We're nothin to you - but we're the fuckin shit in they eyes That's why we, seize the moment try to freeze it and own it Squeeze it and hold it, cause we consider these minutes golden And maybe they'll admit it when we're gone, just let our spirits live on through our lyrics that you hear in our songs and we can...
This song also discusses the issue of the influence music has on young people. He explains how the music can inspire young children who go through difficult times in their lives. He also says that musicians use their music to express themselves and how they feel and not a way to show young people the wrong way to live.

16. Can I live
[Verse 2] I am a child of the king Ain't no need to go fear me And I see the flowing tears so know that you hear me When I move in your womb that's me being scary Cause who knows what my future holds Yo the truth be told you ain't told a soul Yo you ain't even showing I'm just 2 months old Through your clothes try to hide me deny me Went up 3 sizes Your pride got you lying saying ain't nothing but a migraine It ain't surprising you not trying to be in Wic food lines Your friends will look at you funny but look at you mommy That's a life inside you look at your tummy What is becoming ma I am Oprah bound You can tell he's a star from the Ultrasound Our Sprits Connected Doors Open Now Nothing But Love And Respect Thanks For Holding Me Down She Let Me Live...
[Talking] Talking Ma I know the Situation is Personal But it something that has to be told As I was making this beat You was all I could think about you heard my voice [Verse 1] Yeah Just think Just Think What if you could Just Just blink your self away.. Just Just wait just pause for a second Let me plead my case It's the late 70's Huh You Seventeen huh And having me that will ruin everything huh It's alot of angels waiting on their wings You see me in your sleep so you cant kill your dreams 300 Dollars thats the price of living what? Mommy I dont like this clinic Hopefully you'll make the right decision And dont go through with the Knife incision But it's hard to make the right move When you in high school How you have to work all day and take night school Hopping off da bus when the rain is pouring What you want morning sickness or the sickness of mourning [Chorus] I'll Always Be a part of you Trust Your Soul Know it's always true If I Could Talk I'd Say To You CAN I LIVE CAN I LIVE I'll Always Be a part of you Trust Your Soul Know it's always true If I Could Talk I'd Say To You CAN I LIVE CAN I LIVE
[Chorus] I'll Always Be a part of you Trust Your Soul Know it's always true If I Could Talk I'd Say To You CAN I LIVE CAN I LIVE I'll Always Be apart of you Trust Your Soul Know it's always true If I Could Talk I'd Say To You CAN I LIVE CAN I LIVE [Repeat 2] [Nick Talking] It's uplifting foreal yall I ain't passing no judgement Ain't making no decisions I am just telling ya'll my story I love life I love my mother for giving me life We all need to appreciate life A strong woman that had to make a sacrifice Thanks for listening Thanks for listening Mama thanks for listening
This song talks about the important issue of abortion. Many women who get pregnant at a young age are often faced with the decision of whether to give birth to their child or not. They are not financially stable enough to support themselves and a child at the same time so they use abortion as an alternative.

17. Hero by mariah carey
Hmm
There's a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don't have to be afraid
Of what you are
There's an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
It's a long road
When you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold
You can find love
If you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
Oh oooh
Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don't let anyone
Tear them away, hey yeah
Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time
You'll find the way
Mhhh
That a hero lies in
You
In this song Mariah Carey inspires people to believe in themselves because you can do anything and you work through any problem if u have the correct mind state.

18. Video by india arie
[Verse 1] Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don’t Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won’t Depend of how the wind blows I might even paint my toes It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul [Chorus] I’m not the average girl from your video And I ain’t built like a supermodel But I learned to love myself unconditionally, Because I am a queen I not the average girl from your video My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes No matter what I’m wearing I will always be India.Arie [Verse 2] When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me Every freckle on my face is where it’s suppose to be And I know my creator didn’t make no mistakes on me My feet, my thighs, my Lips, my eyes, I’m loving what I see [Chorus] [Verse 3] Am I less of a lady if I don’t where panty hose My momma said a lady ain’t what she wears but what she knows… But I’ve drawn the conclusion, it’s all an illusion Confusion’s the name of the game A misconception, a vast deception, Something got to change
Now don’t be offended this is all my opinion Ain’t nothing that I’m saying law This is a true confession Of a life learned lesson I was sent here to share with y'all So get in when you fit in Go on and shine Clear your mind Now’s the time Put your salt on the shelf Go on and love yourself ‘Cause everything’s gonna be alright [Chorus] [Out] Keep your fancy drink, and your expensive minks I don’t need that to have a good time Keep your expensive cars and your caviar All’s I need is my guitar Keep your crystal and your pistol I’d rather have a pretty piece of crystal Don’t need you silicone, I prefer my own What god gave me is just fine…
This song talks to the men and women who have low self-esteem and who feel that they should look or act a particular way in order to be accepted by society. She is saying that you shouldn’t be afraid to be who you are and as long as you are happy with yourself the opinion of others shouldn’t matter.

19. Georgia
This song right here, is dedicated to the president of the United States of America Y'all might know him as George Bush But where I'm from, lost city of New Orleans... we call him this [Ray Charles sample:] Georgia... georgia bush... [x4] Noooowww This song is dedicated to the one wit the suit Thick white skin and his eyes bright blue So called beef wit you know who Fuck it he just let him kill all of our troops Look at the bullshit we been through Had the niggas sittin on top they roofs Hurricane Katrina, we shoulda called it Hurricane (Geeoorrggiaa) Bush Then they tellin y'all lies on the news The white people smiling like everythin cool But I know people that died in that pool I know people that died in them schools Now what is the survivor to do? Got to no trailer, you gotta move Now it's on to Texas and to (Geeoorrggiiaa) They tell you what they want, show you what they want you to see But they don't let you know what's really goin on Make it look like a lotta stealin goin on Boy them cops is killas in my home Nigga shot dead in the middle of the street I ain't no thief, I'm just tryin to eat Man fuck the police and president (Geeoorrrggiiaa) Bush So what happened to the leverage, why wasn't they steady Why wasn't they able to control this? I know some fok' that live by the lever that keep on tellin me they heard this, stole this Same shit happened back in Hurricane Betsy 1965, I ain't too young to know this That was President Johnson now but it's president (Geeoorrggiiaa) Bush .
[Chorus: x2] We from a town where (Georgia) Everybody drowned, and Everybody died, but baby I'm still prayin wich ya Everybody cryin but (Georgia) Aint nobody tried, there's no doubt on my mind it was (Georgia) Bush Noooowwww I was born in the boot at the bottom of the map New Orleans baby, now the white house hatin, tryin to wash away like we not on the map Wait, have you heard the latest, they sayin you gotta have paper if you tryin to come back Niggas thinkin it's a wrap, see we can't hustle in they trap, we ain't from (Geeoorrggiaa) Noooww it's them dead bodies, them lost houses, the mayor say dont worry bout it And the children have been scarred, no ones here to care bout em And fat shouts, to all the rappers that helped out Yea we like it they callin y'all, but fuck president (Geeoorrggiaa) Bush We see them Confederate flags, you know what it is A white cracker muthafucka that probably voted for him And no he ain't gonna drop no dollas, but he do drop bombs R.I.P. Tay cuz he died in the storm, fuck president (Geeoorrggiiaa) Bush See us in ya city man, give us a pound Cuz if a nigga still movin then he holdin it down I had two Jags, but I lost both them bi-tch-es I'm from N.O. the N.O. Yea!
This is another song expressing how people felt about the President after the Hurricane Katrina incident. This particular song comes from the view point of someone who is from New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina everyone felt like President Bush didn’t care for the people in the poor communities because of the lack of help that was sent after the hurricane and the lack of help to re-build the communities that were lost

20. White america by eminem
Intro] America!! Hahaha! We love you! How many people are proud to be citizens of this beautiful country of ours? The stripes and the stars for the rights that men have died for to protect The women and men who have broke their necks for the freedom of speech the United States government has sworn to uphold.. (Yo, I want everybody to listen to the words of this song) .. or so we're told [Eminem] I never woulda dreamed in a million years I'd see so many motherfuckin people, who feel like me Who share the same views and the same exact beliefs It's like a fuckin ARMY marchin in back of me So many lives I touched, so much anger aimed in no particular direction, just sprays and sprays And straight through your radio waves, it plays and plays 'til it stays stuck in your head, for days and days Who woulda thought; standin in this mirror bleachin my hair with some peroxide, reachin for a t-shirt to wear that I would catapult to the forefront of rap like this? How could I predict my words would have an impact like this? I must've struck a chord with somebody up in the office Cause Congress keep tellin me, I ain't causin nuthin but problems And now they're sayin I'm in trouble with the government - I'm lovin it! I shoveled shit all my life, and now I'm dumpin it on [Chorus 2X: Eminem] White America! I could be one of your kids White America! Little Eric looks just like this White America! Erica loves my shit I go to TRL; look how many hugs I get!
[Eminem] See the problem is, I speak to suburban kids who otherwise woulda never knew these words exist Whose moms probably woulda never gave two squirts of piss 'til I created so much motherfuckin turbulence! Straight out the tube, right into your living rooms I came And kids flipped, when they knew I was produced by Dre That's all it took, and they were instantly hooked right in And they connected with me too because I looked like them That's why they put my lyrics up under this microscope Searchin with a fine tooth comb, it's like this rope waitin to choke; tightenin around my throat Watchin me while I write this, like I don't like this (Nope!) All I hear is: lyrics, lyrics, constant controversy, sponsors working round the clock to try to stop my concerts early, surely Hip-Hop was never a problem in Harlem only in Boston After it bothered the fathers of daughters startin to blossom So now I'm catchin the flack from these activists when they raggin Actin like I'm the first rapper to smack a bitch or say faggot, shit! Just look at me like I'm your closest pal The posterchild, the motherfuckin spokesman now for.. [Chorus]
[Eminem] Look at these eyes, baby blue, baby just like yourself If they were brown Shady lose, Shady sits on the shelf But Shady's cute, Shady knew Shady's dimples would help Make ladies swoon baby (ooh baby!) Look at my sales Let's do the math - if I was black, I woulda sold half I ain't have to graduate from Lincoln High School to know that But I could rap, so fuck school, I'm too cool to go back Gimme the mic, show me where the fuckin studio's at When I was underground, no one gave a fuck I was white No labels wanted to sign me, almost gave up I was like Fuck it - until I met Dre, the only one to look past Gave me a chance aand I lit a FIRE up under his ass Helped him get back to the top, every fan black that I got was probably his in exchange for every white fan that he's got Like damn; we just swapped - sittin back lookin at shit, wow I'm like my skin is it startin to work to my benefit now? It's.. [Chorus]
[Outro] So to the parents of America I am the derringer aimed at little Erica to attack her character The ringleader of this circus of worthless pawns Sent to lead the march right up to the steps of Congress and piss on the lawns of the White House To burn the {flag} and replace it with a Parental Advisory sticker To spit liquor in the faces of this democracy of hypocrisy Fuck you Ms. Cheney! Fuck you Tipper Gore! Fuck you with the free-est of speech this Divided States of Embarrassment will allow me to have Fuck you!
This song is about the Government trying to censor the content of rap songs even though the first amendment guarantees us the freedom of speech. Many people accuse rap artists of influencing violence and crime among the youth in America. The rap artists argue that they have a freedom of speech and it is the responsibility of the parents to raise their children and monitor the music they listen to.