Hip Hop and Its Effects on Teenage Mental Health
Written By: Tyler Baca
“Depressed,” a word some teens use way too much on a day-to-day basis to describe how they think they’re feeling, without knowing what it really means. To be depressed means that someone is living with the feeling of constant sadness and loss of interest, which stops them from doing their normal day-to-day activities. With the recent rise of young hip-hop listeners across the nation, many teens are finding themselves feeling more depressed and alone than previous generations, which can be due to the genre’s overall changing subject matter, negative influence of the artists, and growing number of industry suicides and overdoses.
It can be argued that hip-hop today has changed from the groovy, upbeat music it was in the early 2000’s. In the past few years, more and more popular songs make reference to mental health issues, such as the producing artists’ struggles with drug addiction, battling internal demons, overall mental instability, and thoughts of depression. For example, Joyner Lucas’s hit single “I’m Sorry” included a line stating, “I’m depressed as fuck, stressed as fuck, ain’t no medicine that could cure what’s the test of drugs?”
Strong lyrics such as these would make you think the average listener is pretty developed and mature, however, that’s not necessarily the case. A recent study by Billboard showed that the average age of Lucas’s listeners ranges from 15–24 years old, which happens to be the same age range that consistently has had the fastest growing rate of suicide for the past two years. Although many songs, like “I’m Sorry,” offer an opportunity for teens to feel easily related to, such songs also tend to put their listeners in a much darker place than they were before, which can be seen as counterintuitive.
WebMD contributor Dr. Amita Shroff stated in an online article on June 22, 2020 that “Depression can often be a result from environmental issues,” and “depression usually starts between the ages of 15 to 30.” I believe it’s no coincidence that the younger generation tends to suffer more from depression compared to other generations when they constantly have access to these artists who are producing music that can affect a person’s mental health in a profoundly negative way.
US News author Alan Mozes stated on December 8 of 2020 that “The suicide rate among young people in the United States went up 60% from 2007 to 2018” and “rap songs referring to suicide shot up from 0 to 12% from 1998 to 2018.” This is a key example as to how these big artists may play a massive role in the way their listeners think about themselves and the world around them. Mozes also stated that, “In the same time frame, references to depression in the hip-hop and rap genres rose from 16% to 22%, while the inclusion of metaphors linked to mental health struggles rose from 8% to 44%.” Based on these statistics, it would appear that teenagers today suffer from depression at higher rates than ever before; and although hip hop and rap may not be the only factors in this trend, I personally believe the rise in popularity of the genre among teenagers plays a big role. In addition, hip hop has a large influence on the way people in my generation specifically think and, as newer artists emerge from this generation, it could be leading to more popular artists who have these feelings and choose to use their music as an outlet for expression.
On December 9 of 2020, bjm.com published an article on how hip-hop narratives are helping to tackle the mental health stigma worldwide, stating, “More than ever before, hip-hop artists are publicly acknowledging their mental health struggles, promoting anti-stigma campaigns around mental health, and normalising seeking treatment for mental health issues.” This article shows that some hip-hop artists are beginning to take steps in the right direction regarding the mental health stigma, in the sense that they’re recognizing that treatment is normal, and people with mental health issues shouldn’t have any form of societal disapproval when it comes to their disorder.
In addition to some hip-hop artists recognizing the mental health stigma, such as Grandmaster Flash and P Diddy, there are also huge, worldwide organizations taking action in order to help those who may suffer from mental health issues. For example, in 2004 the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline was established allowing those who are suffering from depression to get the help they need. The line can be reached at 1 (800) 273- 8255 and has prevented thousands of people from taking their own lives since it’s creation.
World-renowned rapper Logic recognized the lifesaving hotline in his hit song that was actually named after it, “1 (800) 273- 8255.”
The song addresses the struggles of living with depression, stating, “ I just wanna die, I don’t wanna be alive anymore,” and follows what we can assume is a modern-day teenager who uses the hotline in order to save his life. Since its release in 2017, Logic also created a moving music video to accompany the lyrics. The video actually does, in fact, follow a young teen who turns out to be homosexual and is not accepted by those around him at first, including his family. As the video progresses, the viewers will see the teen contemplate taking his own life with a handgun before calling the hotline. The lyrics in the song change from dark and somber to hopeful as Logic states, “I finally wanna be alive, I don’t wanna die today.” At this point in the video, the viewers fast forward into the teen’s future as he is accepted by his family and ends up being the happiest he has been by marrying the love of his life.
This song recognizes that depression can be temporary and shows that nothing lasts forever. I think Logic did an outstanding job with this song, and I personally really appreciate that he recognized the life-saving hotline in a positive way.
In addition to the changing subject matter in modern hip-hop pieces, many popular artists have unfortunately lost their lives due to drug overdoses and suicide. For example, artists Mac Miller and Lil Peep have been the most recent deaths that shocked the world and hip-hop community. Both artists died of drug overdoses, which were deemed accidental. Miller died at the young age of 26, while Peep was just 21. Both artists were very well known for their popular music, and my heart goes out to their families and those who looked up to them as role models.
With rap and hip hop appealing to the younger generation in today’s society, I think that these artists’ deaths definitely play a role in teen mental health, because many young teenagers look up to these artists as their lifetime role models. I know I would personally be absolutely devastated if my role model ever died, especially from a drug overdose or suicide.
Although the deaths of both Mac Miller and Lil Peep were the most recent passings that shocked the world, there have been a handful of other popular hip-hop artists who died from things like carjackings and home invasions, such as XXXTentacion and Pop Smoke. Because of these deaths, many top artists today unfortunately live in constant fear and almost always protect themselves with massive groups of bodyguards, which distances them from those who idolize them the most, their fans.
All in all, it is no secret that the material and context of today’s modern hip-hop songs is changing. According to the research I’ve conducted, and the evidence I’ve seen throughout this project, I can personally agree that teenagers today are also feeling more depressed at higher rates than any previous generation. Although the way many teens are feeling today may not be based solely on the music they’re listening to, I definitely believe that it plays a massive role in influencing their mindset about the world around them, and how they feel about themselves. Do you agree?
Teenage mental health is extremely important to me personally because I’ve grown up around friends that have dealt with depression in the past. I know just how hard it can be to overcome and persevere after dealing with something like that. Thankfully, my friends used hip hop and music in general to feel easily related to instead of an outlet to slip into a deeper and darker state of mind. I personally think it is extremely important to recognize bad mental health, and exactly what it looks like in a person, in order to know when and how you can help someone who may be suffering from depression. On the flipside, I too think it’s important to recognize when YOU may be going down a dark path, because it’s completely normal and okay to ask for help from those around you. Although I don’t think there is a true, reasonable way to end bad teenage mental health altogether, I do strongly believe that taking the time to help those around you, who may be dealing with bad mental health, could be a massive step in the right direction. Whether it’s a simple task of asking them how they’re doing, or even getting them out of the house to hangout, I believe that the people who are hurting the most will not let these actions go unnoticed. So I ask you, the reader, to please check in on your friends when necessary, especially if you suspect they are having a harder-than-normal time getting through their day-to-day activities. It can truly mean a world of difference to them.
Feels Playlist
This playlist allows the reader/listener to gain a deeper understanding just how rapidly the subject matter of many popular hip hop and rap songs are changing.
Community Resources
WHO’s World Mental Health Day (April 18, 2021) World Health Organization- After reviewing the very credible WHO’s website, I now know that October 10 has been recognized as a World Mental Health Day. This day was created by doctors and mental health experts in an effort to normalize mental health care for people of all ages worldwide. This is a prime resource for my project because it shows that deteriorating mental health is a real problem and even professionals have created an entire day to recognize ways in which people can unwind and focus on the good in their lives and not the stressors. This would fall into the category of mental health awareness.
September is Suicide Prevention Awarneness Month (April 18, 2021) National Alliance on Mental Illness- The National Alliance on Mental Illness’ website has recognized September as Suicide Prevention Awarness Month in order to show that mental health conditions can affect anyone regarding age, sex, or background. I think this is an amazing resource for my project because it shows that even people who had the best childhoods and most loving families can also suffer from mental health issues. This would also fall into the category of mental health awareness.
National Suicide Hotline has been established. 1 (800) 273–8255 (December 12, 2012) Lifeline.com- Government officials established the National Suicide Hotline according to Contact the Lifeline.com. This is extremely useful for my research because it allows me to gain a deeper understanding of the world’s suicide issue and why exactly a national hotline had to be created. I think Contact the Lifeline’s website is credible because it goes very in depth as to why the suicide prevention hotline was created and how it helps many people everyday. Again, this topic would fall under the category of mental health awareness.
Hip Hop’s Progressive Narratives are Helping Tackle Mental Health Stigma (December 9, 2020) BJM Contributors- According to thebmjopinion’s website, hip hop artists such as Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five have been known to include mental health issues in many of their song lyrics and camouflage them with masculinity. Today, many modern forms of hip hop and rap have been known for recognizing the mental health stigma in order to try to normalize what is happening worldwide. I think this resource is very important to understand because it shows and explains how people with mental health issues should not have any form of societal disapproval when it comes to their disorder. This would fall under the category of how hip hop has an influence on one’s thoughts and behaviors.
Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Illness (May 24, 2017) Mayo Clinic Staff- Mayo Clinic’s website explains how mental health stigmas can lead to discrimination against those who suffer from mental health problems. This website showed me how to overcome the stigma and why it’s important to those who suffer from bad mental health. I personally think it’s a very credible resource because it’s backed by thousands of doctors worldwide who have studied medicine and are extremely knowledgeable in this specific department. This would fall under the category of mental health awareness.
Rap Music Is Putting Mental Health in the Spotlight (December 8, 2020) Alan Mozes- US News is a very reliable source and this specific article chose to explain how beat-heavy rap music could help beat mental illness. The article states that suicide rates in young people have gone up 60% from 2007 to 2018 and rap songs including lyrics about suicide have gone up 12% from 1998 to 2018. This article is a prime example for my research because it shows that rap lyrics can play a big influential role in how many listeners think and their behavior can be affected in a negative way. This topic would too fall under the category of how hip hop can affect someone’s behavior and the way they think.
What it Means to be a Mental Health Advocate (June 24, 2020) Dr. Kristen Fuller- This is a different article from National Alliance on Mental Illness’ website and it talks about what it exactly means to be a mental health advocate. This article states that mental health advocates are heroes because they work tirelessly to ensure they can provide help to those struggling. This article also relates to my research because it shows what it takes to be a mental health advocate and this can help me understand what it takes to help someone suffering from a mental disorder such as depression. This would fall under the category of mental health awareness specifically.
What Is Depression? (October 2020) American Psychiatric Association- The American Psychiatric Association is a very credible resource to rely on because they, like the Mayo Clinic are founded by doctors who have studied psychology specifically. This article goes extremely in depth on what depression is, how it can be caused, and how it can be resolved in a person. Every case of depression is different because each individual often has a different trigger that causes it. This helps with my research because it can help me understand why some teens may be suffering from depression whether it’s a severe case or not. This would fall under the category of depression specifically.
13 Mental Health Advocates You Should Know (February 13, 2020) Dr. David Susman- PhD David Susman wrote this article showing and talking about 13 outstanding mental health advocates and what they’ve been able to achieve over the years. Each advocate has done something different in their lifetime regarding mental health issues but they’ve all achieved something pretty amazing. This is an article I included because it was written by a credible doctor and it gives us examples of not just one, but multiple mental health advocates and their accomplishments. This article would specifically fall under the category of mental health awareness.
How to Become A Mental Health Advocate (June 24, 2020) Dr. Kristen Fuller- PsychCentral’s website walked me through what it means and takes to be a mental health advocate and how they can help others. This article was a very interesting read because it really opened my eyes as to how mental health advocates can help thousands of people every year. Overall, it was pretty spectacular to read because it went into fine detail as to how you as a regular person can become a mental health advocate and help many other people overcome their mental disabilities or illnesses. I believe this article would fall under the category of mental health awareness.
~Grove, Rashad D. “24 Rap Songs That Address Mental Health & Depression.” Okayplayer, OKP, 4 Mar. 2021, www.okayplayer.com/music/rap-songs-that-address-mental-health-depression.html. 19 Feb. 2021
~Iqbal, Nosheen. “The Rise of Sad Rap: How Hip-Hop Got the Blues.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 17 Mar. 2019, www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/rap-music-mental-health-issues. 19 Feb. 2021
~Mind, Doc. “Rap About Depression: These 3 Rappers Help Normalize Mental Health.” MindDoc, 23 Mar. 2021, mymoodpath.com/en/magazin/rap-and-depression/. 19 Feb. 2021
~Shroff, Amita. “Teen Depression: Causes, Symptoms, Heredity, and Treatments.” WebMD, WebMD, 22 June 2020, www.wedmd.com/depression/guide/teen-depression. 19 Feb. 2021
~VEVO, Joyner Lucas. “Joyner Lucas — I’m Sorry (508)-507–2209.” YouTube, YouTube, 12 Aug. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjKbw1Cqpt0. 19 Feb. 2021
~VEVO, Logic. “Logic — 1–800–273–8255 Ft. Alessia Cara, Khalid (Official Video).” YouTube, YouTube, 17 Aug. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb24RrHlbFk. 19 Feb. 2021
~WHO. “Adolescent Mental Health.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 28 Sept. 2020, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health. 19 Feb. 2021
