Kay 1

Michael Kay

DeBock

English 4

February 23, 2017

Annotated Bibliography

Essential Question: How can rap be compared to poetry?

Working Thesis: Rap and Poetry have similarities

Refined Thesis: Rap and Poetry have similarities such as, storytelling, rhyme schemes, and

various forms of literary elements.

Chang, Jeff. "Rap Has the Potential to Expose Social Injustice." Rap and Hip-Hop, edited by

Tamara Thompson, Greenhaven Press, 2013. Current Controversies. Opposing

Viewpoints in Context, Feb. 2017. Originally published as "Fight the Power: Can

Hip-Hop Get Past The Thug Life and Back to Its Radical Roots?" Mother Jones, vol. 32,

no. 6, Nov.-Dec. 2007.

This source will show how rap is able to expose social wrongs that are done in society. It

shows how rap music can tell a story about politics and be very political. It digs deep into the

lyrics of songs which expose things such as the police department, corrupt politics, misogyny,

and racism. It also shows that a lot of media sources will stereotype rappers as thugs.It also

looks to exploit record labels saying the only rap that sells records are that are bloody, sexist,

and homophobic. I chose this source because it gives solid arguments as to why rap has been

dumbed down and how tremendously political the lyrics of a rap song can be.
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Flannery, Mary Ellen. "Hip-Hop and Rap Lyrics Can Be Useful Teaching Tools."Should Music

Lyrics Be Censored?, edited by Beth Rosenthal, Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue.

Opposing Viewpoints in Context, Originally published as "Yo! From Tupac to the Bard,"

NEA Today, vol. 27, no. 3, 2008, pp. 35-37.

This source explains how rap and rap lyrics can be used to teach just about anyone.

Lyrics in rap music can be used to put themes into context so that people can understand them

easier. This source gives an example of a language college professor who connected a poet to a

hip-hop artist to help connect with his students. That same professor wrote a book explaining

how he connected with his students. He showed how his students had some of the highest

exit-exam scores in California. This source shows that in the rap lyrics there are forms of

imagery, alliteration, personification, and other literary elements. I chose this source because it

not only connects rap to poetry but it digs into specifics as to why poetry and rap are very

similar.

Moore, Marcus J. "Twin Peaks." Nation, vol. 304, no. 4, 06 Feb. 2017, p. 35. EBSCOhost,

This source gives a good example of a rap duo who in their songs use an abundance of

political lyrics. Run The Jewels which consists of Killer Mike and El-P. This source names

multiple songs in where they use their lyrics to explain how they feel about politics and events

that happened in the US. In their lyrics Mike and El-P rap about political rebellion, Christianity,

racism, and all American injustices. I chose this source because it gives a solid example of a

group who uses their music to get across a political message. It provides multiple songs that

contain a highly political message that Mike and El-P are trying to get across.
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Pate, Alexs. "Rap Lyrics Are a Literary Art Form." Rap and Hip-Hop, edited by Tamara

Thompson, Greenhaven Press, 2013. Current Controversies. Opposing Viewpoints in

Context,

Originally published as "The AestheticsA Summary," In the Heart of the Beat: The

Poetry of Rap, vol. 119, 2011.

This article states that rap is a form of literary art. It says that there is a way of reading

rap where it yields its contemporary and historical value. The source says that rap is a

significant contribution to African American literature. This author says that the good examples

of rap get lost in the pool of generic and abundance of party songs. I chose this source because it

directly relates rap and poetry and gives reasons as to why theyre related. It explains how all

culture has benefitted from African American literature (rap/poetry). It explains how rap gives

us an image of other people's stories and gives us an image of us.

Taylor, Carl S., and Virgil Taylor. "Rap Music Provides a Realistic View of Life." Popular

Culture, edited by John Woodward, Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints.

Opposing Viewpoints in Context,

Feb. 2017. Originally published as "Hip-Hop and Youth Culture: Contemplations on an

Emerging Cultural Phenomenon,"

This source gives an inside look into rappers lives. It shows the story of their life within

the lyrics they put into their songs. This source also gives the appeal for rap music stating that it

is appealing because of the ease of the delivery of the message to the listeners from the author. It

also explains how rap music is a way young people can express their imagination and creativity.
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It looks to explain that rap is not just about being a gangsta but is a way of being real. It

explains how life is not what the media portrays and that in life it is a struggle and shows the

brutal honesty of life. It also explains and breaks down what rap music is explaining some

hallmarks of rap.

Yates, Steve. "Rap Lyrics Encourage Positive Capitalist Values." Are Graphic Music Lyrics

Harmful?, edited by Noah Berlatsky, Greenhaven Press, 2016. At Issue.

Opposing Viewpoints in Context, Originally published as "The Sound of Capitalism,"

Prospect, 21 Sept. 2011.

This source provides ways that rap music is good for capitalistic values. It

compares hip hop in the Americas to hip hop in Britain. It explains how rap music has

given artists empowerment. It explains how other forms of media have benefitted off of

rap music such as movies, books, TV shows, and fashion lines. It gives a specific

example where Adidas profited off of the Run DMC record My Adidas. It explains how

Hip Hops rise has been a straightforward process of free market enterprise. I chose this

source because it gives an example of how rap is good for capitalism and it is good for

promoting businesses.