(WSVN) — When it comes to music, most teens love to listen to rap and hip hop. However, a lot of parents don’t like the lyrics. One local group is hoping to change that. 7’s Lynn Martinez has more in today’s Parent to Parent.
“My skepticism always breaking my balance but instead of complaining I should be taking advantage…”
David Woodward loves to rap. The 17-year-old has been listening to hip hop since he was little.
David Woodward: “In elementary school I was really into Eminen at the time.”
He admits his parents didn’t always get his choice in music.
David Woodward: “They probably took a bit of an offense to it.”
Yet, like a lot of teens David wanted to express himself through music, so he joined a local organization called PATH.
Natalie Lewis Schere: “PATH stands for preserving, archiving and teaching hip hop.”
Natalie and her husband ‘Brim’ started PATH, because they felt young people needed a positive way to showcase the hip hop culture.
Natalie Lewis Schere: “Our mission is to use hip hop and education to advance service learning, leadership and entrepreneurship.”
They say hip hop music really defines this generation. The problem is with so many artists belting out explicit lyrics, the genre often gets a *bad rap*.
Seth ‘Brim’ Schere: “There are elements of drug dealing, sex scandal, money…”
That’s why at PATH they teach the true history of hip hop along with the basic elements.
Grethel Alvarez says instead of following the crowd, she learned how to write lyrics that mean something.
Grethel Alvarez: “Once I got into path, they showed me the importance of don’t curse and if you’re going to rap put a message behind it.”
Brim says parents and kids should listen to music together.
Seth ‘Brim’ Schere: “Does it make them uncomfortable to hear these lyrics? Could they hear these lyrics in front of their grandmother?”
If the lyrics do concern you, ask them to explain why they like it.
Natalie Lewis Schere: “What does it do for you? Challenge them to tell you what is the meaning behind this music?”
Then be prepared to offer an alternative.
Lynn Martinez: Path offers a hip hop summer academy for four weeks every year.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
PATH:
www.pathtohiphop.org
Scratch DJ Academy:
450 NW 28th Street
Miami, FL 33127