Understanding the rest of the story about rap music and risky behaviors: Identity, esteem, and empowerment

Concerns about the potential relationship between exposure to rap music and risky health behaviors have prompted research to determine the validity of these concerns. Evidence has been found correlating exposure to rap music with negative health-related outcomes (Wingood et al., 2003). But, health enhancing correlations have also been found (Ward et al., 2006), along with the influence of other constructs such as identity (Zhang et al., 2009). This study builds upon this prior research, including examination of identity and self-esteem as factors to help explain the potential role of Hip-Hop culture and rap music in facilitating empowerment or risk at the individual and community levels. Data were analyzed via structural equation modeling from a convenience sample of 128 high school and college students. The full model demonstrated modest fit (Chi-square (df) 50.29 (27); CFI .925; RMSEA .084), but very strong support for hypothesized variable pathways. Notable paths included identity predicting esteem and both individual and community empowerment, while esteem predicted rap music influence on risk attitudes. Hours of viewership, a predictor in prior studies, was not a significant influence on risk. Simple exposure to rap music does not seem to be a major influence on variability in risky attitudes and behaviors. Youth likely have complex perspectives about music, including both empowering and risky attitudes about its content and impact. Identity and self-esteem may be important dimensions to consider for interventions that incorporate Hip-Hop culture or seek to buffer the potential negative impacts of high risk content.