The experience of music making and listening is fundamental in every perceived culture and society, and produces extraordinary effects on thoughts, emotions and physiology. Because of this strength, we are aware not only of its positive effects, but also of potentially negative effects. So we tend to classify certain forms of music, often due to cultural beliefs and identities of the oppressed and misunderstood, as controversial. Sometimes it's just new and unconventional music getting bad rap, even Elvis and The Beatles were considered morally threatening to the good of the population when they were first found on the air waves. Now, of course, they are celebrated as some of the greatest musicians in recent history.

Problem music

The current focus of controversy has shifted to rap, hip hop and other problem music genres such as heavy metal and emo. This controversy often leads to conflict and censorship attempts due to a perceived link between listening to this music and antisocial behavior. We often find ourselves forming opinions about music because of how aggressive or depressing we think it is of text or tone. That's why we could see rap and hip-hop listeners as prone to delinquency and drug abuse, heavy metal users as more violent and emo listeners as more depressed. But much of the evidence related to problem music actually opposes these views. On the contrary, many problem music users engage in music, listen to self-regulation of their emotions and improve emotional well-being.

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