Drug use increasingly glamorized in rap music, according to new study of 2-decade trends

“Rap music is like CNN for black teens,” says Dr. Herd. “But much of what is discussed in rap is in code. The kids understand but parents don’t.” She urges parents to monitor their children’s listening, and to educate themselves on the terms being used in popular songs.

An earlier study by Dr. Herd using the same data set concluded that alcohol use is also increasingly glorified in rap. The current study finds that illegal drug and alcohol use are often paired in more recent rap songs. Recent songs with drug references were three times more likely to have themes related to glamour and wealth compared with earlier titles, and seven times more likely to emphasize drug use as recreation or a part of sex. There is also a trend for more recent songs to emphasize drug use as part of a criminal lifestyle.

Anecdotal media accounts suggest that positive drug references in rap music have not abated. Although her systematic evaluation covers songs up until 1997, Dr. Herd says, “Based on these accounts, the glorification of drugs in rap music remains commonplace.” Given the potential impact, she believes that further research is needed in this area, and prevention strategies should be developed. ”The focus on these two decades was to map the transition. Further research will enable us to better understand what happened to set this evolution in motion. This may help us find ways to reverse or counter the trends.”

Dr. Herd’s work on this project was supported by funds from her Innovators Combating Substance Award, which she received in 2001. Innovators Combating Substance Abuse is a national program of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The program’s mission is two-fold: to recognize individuals who have made noteworthy contributions to what is known about controlling and preventing substance abuse with an award of $300,000 to continue their efforts in addiction control; and to drive innovations in addiction control by extending and facilitating the innovators’ efforts through its National Program Office, which is part of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. For more information, please visit www.InnovatorsAwards.org.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.