No harm in teens' craze for rap music

No harm in teens' craze for rap music

JAKARTA (JP): Rap music may be devoid of aesthetic value, but
that is no reason to condemn Indonesia's young people for
catching up with the phenomena, let alone banning rap, a leading
artist said.

Jathi Kusumo, chairman of the Nusantara Artists Association,
said rap music carries messages from young people, and rather
than condemning it, people should try to understand it, Antara
reported.

He was responding to criticisms made by State Minister of
Research and Technology B.J. Habibie, who last weekend deplored
rap, saying it was a bad influence on young Indonesian and
undermining local cultures and values.

The chief message of rap is rebellion against the
establishment, Jathi said. In its narrower sense, it is a
rebellion against the more established pop music. In its wider
sense it could mean rebellion against established social and
political structures.

"We don't have to condemn this kind of music. On the contrary,
we should try to understand why a music that has no aesthetic
value has attracted so many young people."

Jathi said he fully understood the concerns expressed by
Habibie about the negative impact of rap on the nation's culture.

Time will eventually tell whether or not rap can be regarded
as a creation of art or simply a fad that will disappear, he
said. "Without condemning it or banning it, rap will eventually
fade out if it has no artistic value."

Jathi, in particular, warned against any attempt to ban rap
music in Indonesia. Indonesia should not make a habit of banning
artistic creations because it reflects shortsightedness in
understanding existing phenomena, he said.

"Let the public be the judge of art. Works of art that are
mediocre will eventually fade away." (emb)