Eminem
Scientists say Eminem rapping about mental health may help reduce depression stigma
![scientists-say-eminem-music-reduce-depression](https://southpawers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/scientsits-say-eminem-music-reduce-depression.jpg)
Scientists and researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill analyzed the lyrics of the twenty five top-performing rap and hip-hop records in the United States in 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018.
Results revealed the proportion of rap songs that referenced mental health more than doubled over the 2 decades, with chart-topping artists like Eminem and Lil Wayne alluding to depression, anxiety and suicide.
The music’s release coincides with a rise in suicide among Black teenagers, who make up a “significant portion of rap music’s large and growing audience”, according to the scientists.
Although it is unclear how this music may influence a listener’s mental health, the scientists’ team hope mainstream records referencing emotional struggles may help reduce the stigma around issues like depression.
Out of the total 125 songs analyzed, 35 (28%) referenced anxiety, while 28 (22%) alluded to depression. 8 (6%) of the songs referenced suicide, while 26 (21%) used a mental health metaphor, like “fighting my demons” or “pushed to the edge.”
None of the most popular songs in 1998 mentioned suicide, compared to more than one in 10 (12%) in 2018, the year rap outsold country as the best-selling genre of music in the United States.
Over the study’s 20 years, depression references in rap music increased from 16% to 32%, while mental health metaphors rose from 8% to 44%.
To read more, visit Yahoo here.
![](https://southpawers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/logo-test-2.png)
-
Eminem1 week ago
Is Eminem’s “The Death of Slim Shady” album in reverse?
-
Eminem1 week ago
Eminem takes pictures with fans in London as he attends Slim Shady’s funeral
-
Eminem1 week ago
Battle rappers, 50 Cent, Russ, Twista & more react to new Eminem album “The Death of Slim Shady”
-
Eminem5 days ago
Joe Budden podcast discuss Eminem’s “The Death Of Slim Shady”
-
Eminem7 days ago
Eminem performs “Houdini” & “Forgot About Dre” with Dr. Dre at Gin & Juice event in London
-
Eminem5 days ago
A$AP Rocky namedrops Eminem in a new song with Denzel Curry
-
Eminem3 days ago
First week sales for Eminem’s “The Death Of Slim Shady” is here
-
Eminem1 week ago
Eminem to headline concert in Saudi Arabia for the first time ever