The thing with art in its many dimensions that include (but are not limited to) music and paintings, amongst other forms, is that it is usually a reflection of what the artistes make of the societies they come from. It tells tales of what they saw and experienced growing up and what their day-to-day lives are like. Art is like a mirror that reflects society’s way of life.

In the event that the music contains or tends to glorify violence and criminal lifestyles, say prostitution, it is because that is what the artistes know or have experienced for a large part of their lives.

Let’s take an instance of a girl who was born and brought up in a slum where most people she saw try to make a living did it through prostitution, selling hard drugs or pointing guns at innocent passersby.

Growing up, she probably didn’t have the chance to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the breeze. If by any chance she became a musician, it is only fair that she tells the stories she has experienced. It is only fair that she paints a picture she is familiar with.

She will tell tales of how her childhood friends would come from good girls to prostitutes to feed their families, she will tell tales of how her age mates would deal in drugs and how some of them lost their lives while at it.

Her lyrics may not necessarily demonise her past lifestyle; through her lyrics she will portray it as her only way of survival and necessary for people in that state of life. 

For people who follow her music, it will come off as if she is glorifying her past lifestyle, but the truth is that she is only holding up a mirror for society to see its reflection.

Rather than keeping our children and youngsters blinded from seeing various aspects of society so that they are not attracted to those lifestyles, it is probably best to make them aware that those lifestyles come with consequences.

Looking away from societal issues such as crimes by banning content that talks about them doesn’t make them go away; it only keeps a section of the people ignorant, people who would probably have led to the desired change.  

It has been argued that more young people look up to international musicians like Jay Z and Chris Brown than they look up to CEOs and innovators. With that you would imagine that the easy thing to do would be to ban these musicians when they are not inspirational or motivational. But that would only serve to limit art, creativity and self expression.

Let the artists create whatever they please, let them express themselves; put your attention and efforts to better use by enlightening your children and youngsters on the consequences of such lifestyles and that an education will give them a shot at a better life.