Rap music is a relatively newer and younger form of music compared with R&B. It rose in the early 1980s, giving a voice to underprivileged urban communities. It carries the reputation of being derogatory--promoting violence, degrading women and praising material goods. A 2006 study conducted by Prof. Carrie Fried shows that when lyrics were represented as a rap song, they took on a more negative connotation. However, rap has served as both an instrument to lift people out of poverty, as well as a way to rally people to action.

On the Other: Effects of R&B Music

A much older form of music, R&B stems from early 20th century jazz and the mid-20th century Civil Rights Movement. It tells stories of struggle, love, sadness and happiness. It does not necessarily rally people behind a cause, but it does help them relate to a cause. In a 1995 study, Ernest Hakanen shows that R&B/soul music is most related to feelings of "grief" and "pride." As much as it is about love, R&B has increasingly become about sex--from its lyrics to its music videos. It has changed the self-perceptions and self-esteem of young people, especially women.

Bottom Line

There is no doubt that both genres of music affect the community--especially economically underprivileged communities. Both have positive and negative effects. It can be argued that rap music affects the community in more negative ways than R&B does. Rap songs and videos that have sparked crimes are a testament to that.

Source:

Who's Afraid of Rap: Differential Reactions to Music Lyrics

Emotional Use of Music by African-American Adolescents

More Information:

Rap, Black Rage and Racial Difference

One Of These Things Is Not Like The Other

How Rap and R&B Music Videos Influence African-American Self-Identity