Lorraine Ali

The most recent and virulent debate over the content of rap lyrics and the responsibility of rap artists has centered around rapper Eminem's music, but this is only the latest instance in a long—standing tradition, claims Lorraine Ali. Although particular artists and musical styles have come and gone and the content of lyrics become more sexually explicit and violent than before, Ali's article shows how controversy about the relationship between music and the integrity of American culture has remained essentially unchanged since the days of Elvis Presley.

ALL THE CONTROVERSY, CRITICISM AND PRAISE surrounding Eminem's 2000 release "The Marshall Mathers LP" finally caused a fiftyish co—worker of mine to go out and buy the album to see what all the commotion was about. It's not...