Pop Music Promotes Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Parents of pre-teens and teenagers who spend several hours each week listening to popular music and watching music videos may be surprised to learn that as many as one third of songs in certain genres promote the use of alcohol and drugs.  

In a study just released by Dartmouth Medical School, pediatrician James D. Sargent analyzed 793 songs from Billboard charts starting in 2005 and found that 160 songs (about 21%) referred explicitly to alcohol.  The study found that the majority of songs that referenced alcohol were rap, followed by R&B/hip-hop and country.  About 42 percent of the lyrics referred to alcohol in a positive way and mentioned specific alcohol brands.  The brands in most cases are associated with advertising that depicts a luxury lifestyle of drug use, partying, sex, and wealth.

   
An earlier study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that music listened to by teenagers aged 15 to 18 affects long-term attitudes and behaviors.  That study looked at 279 top Billboard songs and found that 33 percent included explicit substance abuse references.  The majority of these songs linked substance abuse with positive sexual, financial and emotional rewards.

Artists Profit from Alcohol References

Because the FTC does not require alcohol companies to disclose how they spend money for advertising, it's unknown how many artists and music companies are accepting payment for lyrics that extol alcohol.  The Dartmouth study mentions a lucrative deal signed by Busta Rhymes and P. Diddy for their 2002 hit "Pass the Courvoisier."  The song was credited with increasing sales for Allied Domecq, maker of Courvoisier, by 19 percent.

The Los Angeles Times reports that many rappers are taking their endorsement of alcohol to another level by creating their own vanity alcohol labels.  In the video for Pitbull's song "Give Me Everything," the rapper is shown pouring a glass of Voli vodka.  Pitbull, whose real name is Armando Christian Perez, is part owner of the Voli brand.  Other rap artists who are part owners of liquor brands include Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Ludacris.  

Music Contest Presents the Other Side of Substance Abuse

To counteract the influence of popular music that promotes the use of alcohol or drugs, the National Institute on Drug Abuse recently partnered with the Grammy Foundation to sponsor a music contest.  Young songwriters were asked to submit original songs that accurately depict the risks of substance abuse and promote a healthy lifestyle. 
The winners of the contest were a pair of young songwriters identified only as Harvie and Amanda who have experienced substance abuse firsthand and were still in treatment when they entered the contest.  Their song expressed the sense of hope that treatment can bring to young people who are struggling with addiction.  Their song which is really catch can be heard here: MusicCares and GRAMMY Foundation Substance Abuse Awareness Winners.