I don’t think I’m the blogger the Drama Llama is writing about here, but I must say, I disagree with him. Here’s what he has to say: (warning: link contains very strong language)

I am looking at rap lyrics today to prove a point to a blogger and they
know who they are. I seem to find certain songs with very strong
content and if we as a people let our children listen to these lyrics
then they will think its ok to act out these songs or actions! Here is
a few song lyrics from some famous rappers.
[...]
Now go ahead and tell me that rap music doesnt [sic] talk bad and that it
cant [sic] influence our young people. These rappers talk about guns sex
drugs and killing others. Back when I was growing up we listened to
Madonna, soft cell, Men at work, Duran duran [sic] and many others that didnt [sic]
talk about things that are sung about today! Rascist [sic] or not there is a
need to watch what these so-called singers put out for our youth to buy
or download!! enough said

Do I think music lyrics have no influence whatsoever on youth? No, I think there are influences there, but I think the media in general is an influence on youths. Madonna sang about sex a LOT. But there was sex constantly on Dallas, and Days of our Lives, and heck, even the books I read as a kid had plenty of sex in them. Did that cause me to run out and have sex with everyone in town? No. My parents and my religion were strong influences and I listened to them, a source I trusted, instead of Madonna, someone I didn’t even know.

I don’t think rap music is appropriate for a, say, 8 year old. However, my 13 year old and I listen to rap frequently. He’s not out shooting people. He’s never been in trouble with the law or even at school. He isn’t having sex with "hos". He has no interest in using drugs. I know this, because I have a good relationship and he is always in supervised situations.

I think with the right parenting, teaching your kids about values and always being a good example of those values yourself, rap music is little more than an amusement. Rappers sing about what is already going on. People in dangerous, violent neighborhoods do not join gangs and go around shooting people because of the music. The violence was already there before rap music even existed. Rap music is a symptom, not a cause.

I have to ask the blogger at Drama Llama if reading all those lyrics caused him to run out and shoot anyone. Because, you know, they’re so influencing.