Why do so many people focus on hip hop but not other forms of music?

Disclaimer-I listen to rock 90% of the time so i'm not actually sticking up for hip hop

I just find it kind of hypocritical and contradicting to focus on hip hop and the negative lyrics when you have metal, namely heavy metal and death metal, along with black metal, screamo that obviously promotes aggression and antisocial behaviors.

Another point, it's pretty well known that there's a violent subculture in the black community. But what seems to be conveniently left out is the suicidal, self-harming, drug abusing, Trenchcoat-esque, anarchist, anti-authority subculture among white teens, many of whom listen to these metal genres described above.

So why just focus on hip hop?

FYI- I primarily date white guys so don't assume i'm being a racist. I just notice the differences in what our society tends to focus on.

Your thoughts?

Why do so many people focus on hip hop but not other forms of music?layouts for myspace

Perhaps you forgot about in the 80's when Twisted Sister and other rock stars had to testify in front of congress. Or Ozzy Osbournes lyrics were put on trial for a fans suicide. They do focus on other musics, it's just hip hop is popular now and that's the focus. I think what makes hip hop so suseptible to criticism is the society is so politically correct now. No racial or sexual slurs are appropriate in any circumstance anymore. And hip hop is littered with them. This fallback has happened before to other forms of music. It's just today, hip hop is taking it's hits. Freedom of speech will prevail no matter what.

Why do so many people focus on hip hop but not other forms of music?famous myspace myspace.com

It could be racism.
I have never listened to hip hop...not even sure what it is.

BUT

Let people listen to what they want. Just because I like or dislike a form of music is no reason to force my opinions on others

Unless its country...that stinks
wtf r u talkin about have u not seen all of the scene/emo kids runnin around lately... im an example of scene...............ummmm yeah

:)
You go girl!!! Finally someone with keen eyes and ears~!!!

To answer your question: It's just easier to focus on blacks and hip hop. Blacks have been the center of attention since slavery, and will continue to be the negative topic of everything from music to education or lack of.
first thing first its because hip hop is the best and because hip hop is simple, no noise like rock n roll, when u listen to it u feel it
It's all stupid crap.
Talk about your blanket statements. Have you ever listened to metal? I do. I grew up listening to it. It never caused me to do any of the things you are accusing metal of doing. Music has nothing to do with someone being anti-social or a drug addict or anything that you stated. Anyone can be that way no matter what genre of music they listen to. You remind me of the P.M.R.C. Musicians and other artists have the right to express themselves. If you don't like it, change the station. I was just looking back over some of my answers and realized that I did not actually answer this question. The reason people are focusing so much on hip hop right now is simply because that is what's popular right now. When I was growing up it was metal. When my mom was growing up it was Frank Sinatra. If people don't understand or like the music they start hopping up and down shouting about how it's ruining the youth and the culture etc. Beethoven was practically considered the anti-christ in his time. To put it simply, it's fear.
I like this question. you seem to be a person thats worldly aware. i don't think anything will ever change as long as everyone keep pointing the finger at everyone else. i hear you saying, i'm not taking sides, just making an observation. I appreciate that and i agree with you. God bless
I know what you mean, all the mix cds out today like the "Now thats what I call music" cds are mostly hip hop songs, and MTV all they play is hip hop, and also on the radio. I like hip hop, but i also want to hear rock and pop too. So I just stick to Buzz Ballads. (its an awesome cd, by the way, since you like rock)
Hip-hip is what is selling right now. Other forms of music aren't generating as much money for the music industry, so the media focus isn't on those types of music. Also, hip-hop isn't just about music, but fashion and style, which is also generating lots of money and turning people into celebrities overnight. Other musical genres may contain controversial lyrics, but nobody knows what they are because they don't have the accompanying clothing lines, fragrances, reality shows, or any other media exposure.

Back in the 80's, heavy metal lyrics were under scrutiny for "adult content" because that was the more popular genre of the time. Everybody had big hair and wore lots of leather and Tommy Lee was married to Heather Locklear. In the early 90's everything was briefly grungy and alternative and the media was pushing everyone to put their children on antidepressants and ritalin because they were listening to music with lyrics that were "too dark".

Now, Puffy or Diddy or whatever that triffling little homely child is calling himself these days has helped promote hip-hop based upon equal parts of fashion, partying, and controversy. The media has embraced this lifestyle as representative of "black culture" (please!) and ignorant little suburban teenagers are eating it up.

Don't worry. As soon as popular music cycles to the next phase, we will be told that some other genre's lyrics are "ruining our society", blah blah blah. Music is all crap right now anyways. It's not like it can get any worse.
Because we are living in the most depraved,infantile, and debased era in history.