For the Culture: Why do some rappers promote violence?

As Tufts’ artist-in-residence, professor of the practice and activist Dee-1 has poignantly noted, the promotion of violence in hip-hop is overwhelmingly common. According to Billboard, at the end of 2023, at least four of the five top rap artists incorporated violent lyrics in their discography. Recently releases from Lil Baby and 21 Savage include references to violent retribution: in “350” (2023), Lil Baby raps, “My advice to you, get out my way, I’m ‘bout to go off / Men ‘posed to be with me, we slip and knocked lil’ bro off,” while 21 Savage, in his track, “redrum” (2024) (‘murder’ written backwards), raps, “Thought a n—- said something / G Block, all we know is redrum / Redrum, redrum, redrum, redrum.”  Although Lil Durk’s 2023 Grammy-winning record, “All My Life” features positive lyrics about prison reform, overcoming drug addiction and challenging systemic oppression, he fails to address the prevalence of violence within the hip-hop community. Additionally, in his most recent release, “Old Days” (2024), Lil Durk incorporates similar lyrical themes, but once again fails to address violence directly. In fact, Lil Durk raps: “Play with me, get backdoored, he rather let the oppers do it / Don’t get shot on...