Comparison of Rock VS Rap

Essay by TEH2711College, UndergraduateA+, May 2005

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Comparison Essay

Music is the soundtrack to our lives; it is in the background of everything people do. Music is universal and appeals to all ages, races, and sexes. It brings awareness of important issues to the people, and when it is written from life experiences, the audience can relate to the idea that the artist is trying to deliver. There are many genres of music that are notably different in sound and targeted listeners, but there is something that links them together, and that is a common message. Music is always changing and evolving; as issues in the world change, so does music. In the late 1980s and early 1990s one of the biggest issues was teenage pregnancy. The two songs that are being compared here are "Brenda's Got a Baby" and "Papa Don't Preach", both songs deal with this important issue.

"Papa Don't Preach" was a song released on Madonna's "True Blue" album in 1986.

This song deals with teen pregnancy from the perspective of a pregnant teenager, who is confused and looking for advice. Tupac's song "Brenda's Got a Baby" from his 2Pacalypse Now album released in 1991, deals with the same topic. In his song, he paints a more detailed and horrific picture. The character in his song is a twelve-year-old girl that has no one to turn to for advice, and she is forced to make decisions on her own, decisions that a twelve-year-old is not ready to make.

The targeted audience of Madonna's song is white teenage girls. These girls generally have a more structured family arrangement. Not always, but communications are usually open in these families. In her song, Madonna's lyrics say "You always taught me right from wrong, I need your help daddy please be strong, I may...