Music Influence in Gun Violence

Chicago is known to have the highest number death rates from gun violence; the number of citizens being killed or wounded has enormously double increased over the past few years. Almost 3,000 citizens were shot in 2015. Majority of these victims of gun violence are males, 47% were under age of 25 and 90% are African-American.  Chicago is known for the highest gun murders in America. The total number of homicides in 2015 was 484, a 14% increase from 2014. Innocent families worry on a regular basis because of how unsafe their neighborhoods are for their children.  Youth in Chicago are at risk in being influenced into gang affiliation as it’s heavily surrounded by them in their communities. Diane Latiker is the founder of the organization Kids Off the Block, which she helps youth between 12-24 years of age to steer away from negative influences. She is known for her hand made memorial honoring young people who had lost their lives due to gun violence, there are 574 names written on these stones. 

Chicago is America’s most segregated city, its known citizens are separated through north and south side of Chicago, south is majority of African-American.  Poverty rates are high in the south as 30% of African American families in poverty and 2% of Caucasian. African- Africans Chicagoan's fear their safety not only through gangs but police authority, as numerous of police shootings have occurred. The music influence of the Chicago known has “Drill” music is speculated to glorifying gang violence.  Drill music has taken over as it’s known worldwide, famous artist such as Chief Keef among others are criticized for their music in glorifying violence. 

These artists were once or still are affiliated as gang members.  Often their lyrics are about killing people, selling drugs, and growing up in their neighborhoods. These artists are highly praised from youth that live in well income suburban areas, but listening to these artist are they truly making a positive impact to their fans as they glorify violence? Most drill music artist are from Chicago and they’re aware of how violent the city is as well they’re victims of the violence, some of these artists are gang afflicted so they’re targets to gun violence. Many of these artists have dealt with friends and family members being murdered through gun violence.  Some of these artists who were once gang affiliated are making positive impacts and they stopped gang banging because they know the repercussions if they’d continued to do so.  Is drill music expression of a struggle or does it glorify violence?