Rap or Rape Music?

I just finished reading several articles about rap or hip hop music. Juan Williams, a black man who works for NPR and a Fox news analyst, says this about rap, "Gangsta rap appeals to kids across racial and class lines. In fact, middle-class white kids are the biggest consumers. The middle-class kids identify with the rebellion, the defiance of norms, the outrageous excess. But the real damage is to black kids, especially poor black kids told that their place in America is limited to playing out the stereotype of the black criminal, black clown, and black stud." (World Magazine - 2/3/07) A Christian website stated all (meaning even Christian rap)as "rape set to music." (World Magazine; "Holy Hip-Hop 2/3/07) I appreciate the articles because at Mars Hill on Friday, we're going to take a look at Super Bowl entertainment. Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Mash held on Thursday before the big game features Fergie. Fergie is a 31 year old woman who sings with the Black Eyed Peas. Her song "Fergalicious" is a huge hit and is the one we'll explore lyrically and visually at Mars Hill. We'll discuss the comments stated above, plus try and figure out the meaning of her rap song. The visuals include "Girl Scout" uniforms, used in a typical postmodern way. People my age would never associate a "Girl Scout" uniform used the way it is in the music video. So what do you think about rap? "Rape set to music" is strong statement that I don't agree with, especially in light of Christian artists who use that musical genre. Rap is huge and is the music of choice for millions. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"