Project CHOICE

Project CHOICE is about African American young adults making decisions that can affect the rest of their lives. Young adults today have access to information, experiences, and opportunities and it is important to choose wisely. Our goal is to provide you with information that can assist you in making choices to live life to its fullest because you are aware of the consequences of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs and risky sexual behavior. This project is being supported from a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

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Picture This! On Friday, September 25, 2014, Project Choice held its initial program launch at Norfolk State University's Student Center. The campus community was very responsive to our initiative, students were eager to learn about the project, and students, faculty, and staff loved the idea of a picture booth!  

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Sex and Drugs in Rap Music, what will it take to challenge this trend?

Recently, Nicki Minaj released a video titled “Anaconda”, which had almost 50 million views after 3 days.

People began reposting this video by the thousands and social media sites exploded with pictures and comments shortly after it was released. Undeniably, the highlight of the video was Minaj’s large “butt”, which received much camera time and was constantly referred to throughout the song. Although the title and images of the video may seem disturbing to some, what is this song’s true message? Here are some lyrics from the newly released song:

“My Anaconda don’t want none unless you got buns hun”

“I’m high as hell I only took a half of pill”

“He come through and I f*** him in my automobile”

“I let him eat it with his grills, he keep telling me its real, and he loves my sex appeal”

“P**** putting him to sleep now he calling me nightquil”

“I let him hit it cause he slang cocaine, he tossed my salad like his name is Romaine”

Some may call these lyrics provocative, while others possibly view them as freedom of musical expression and simply entertainment. Either way, the themes of this song are undeniably sexually explicit and promote drug use and risky sexual behavior. Minaj even refers to having sexual encounters with multiple partners ( i.e. “boy toy Troy who use to live in Detroit and a dude named Michael who use to ride motorcycles”).

With countless songs displaying similar trends, it is important to create discussions around how music may glorify poor choices that can affect one’s actions. The harsh reality is young people (18-24) are engaging in some of the risky behavior that is trending in popular songs of today; such behaviors have consequences. One major consequence of risky behavior that may be often overlooked is susceptibility to HIV, which is a major problem within the African American community. HIV statistics for this community are discouraging.

African American women are 20 times more likely to get the infection when compared to Caucasian women. HIV is affecting African American men, particularly those who have sex with men, at greater rates than any other population.

Risk factors for HIV transmission include alcohol and drug use, risky sexual behavior (i.e.multiple partners, lack of protection, not knowing you or your partner’s HIV status), and lack of sexual health education. But these aren’t typical topics of discussion after listening to a new Nicki Minaj song, which may be part of the problem. What will it take to change the trend? It can’t be just knowledge. In a survey of NSU students, most are aware of HIV and a large number have been tested. Getting tested is a start, but it is certainly not enough to protect people from making poor choices that are highly promoted in some of the music of today.

We like to blame the media that promotes risky behaviors. Many songs talk about self-absorption, risky sex, and substance use, which in combination may equate to irresponsible behavior (aka poor choices). Today, music tends to focus on what feels good and looks good and not necessarily what is good for you. But, many of you will say it’s just music. But think about what happens when a song like “Anaconda” comes on at a party? I would imagine there might be a lot of twerking going on. I suspect that the tone will change dramatically and some people will get loose, even unconsciously think about sex, or imagine Minaj’s rotund rump from the video. Think about the popular TV shows or movies. Do you see safe sex or responsible drinking the majority of the time? Do we see the consequences of these behaviors on the screen, in the music? Not nearly as much as we should.

But, honestly, I can’t blame the music, TV, or movies. If they were to blame then the rates would be even higher. So what is the problem? What will it take to get young adults to understand the seriousness of the problem? I wonder if we all took responsibility for making good choices and being a role model for the younger population if it would make a difference. What makes you make the decision to take care of yourself for the long haul versus the moment of fun that could affect the rest of your life?

Is Nicki Minaj’s new song the problem, or is it much bigger than that? You make the choice.