Consuming Rap: An Examination of Exposure to Substance Use Lyrics, Lived Experiences, and Attitudes Toward Substance Use

Abstract

Although numerous studies have found positive associations between listening to rap music and substance use behaviors, the question as to whether and to what extent music that contains substance use references is associated with substance use-related attitudes remains unanswered. In this paper, I consider that the association between exposure to songs with substance use lyrics and substance use-related attitudes is moderated by lived experiences with substance use (i.e. peer pressure to try marijuana, prescription drugs, or alcohol; and/or witnessing a friend or family member abuse substances). To test my moderation model, I use data from a cross-sectional web-based survey of 70 college students age 17 to 22 to estimate multiple regression models assessing the association between exposure to songs with substance use references, lived experiences with and attitudes toward substance use. My results reveal that exposure to rap songs with substance use references is positively associated with substance use-related attitudes. My results also reveal null findings concerning the moderating potential of lived experiences on the association between exposure to rap songs containing substance use references and substances use-related attitudes.