Violence in Popular Music  Tags: violence_in_popular_music sex_in_music ugl_subject_guide ugl  

Violence in popular music
Aggression
Violence in art
Sex in music
Gender identity in music

A plentitude of scholarship focuses on issues of violence and aggression as depicted in music lyrics and videos. Representations of violence in popular music span across several music genres and are identified in rock n’ roll, rap, and hip-hop music among others. Research on the topic of violence in popular music often considers questions of race, gender, class, and identity. One particular area of concentration emphasizes the sexualized representation and treatment of women in the modern music video. Dionne Warwick, memorable singer of the 1960s, has commented on “the total disrespect and disregard for the African-American woman specifically, and women generally.” –From Violence and the Media, a reference handbook, noted in the section entitled “background sources.”

For more in-depth assistance with music-related research, visit or contact the Music and Performing Arts Library.