Some of the main factors of music in general that cause legal ramifications are sexual content, suggestive violence and obscene language. Censorship is an attack against our first amendment right guaranteeing the freedom of speech. However if a song or album is deemed obscene the first amendment does not protect this. The mass media has been involved in the many, so-called problems that music causes in society today. The attempted censorship of music is not just because people need a cause to fight.

In today's society there are many problems that experts feel are directly related to music. Some of these problems are suicide, murder and sexual assault. Many people argue that music is not the sole purpose for entertainment purposes. Many parents and experts argue that rappers and musicians use vulgar, profane, sexually explicit lyrics to ta

rget the teenage market because money is a major issue and this kind of media is a hot commodity. Another popular subject that has taken heat and was attempted to be censored is politically charged music.

Most of the lyrics can be interpreted in many different ways. For some it may bring creativeness and for others the same lyrics might bring destructive behavior. The music only brings out the deep feelings that a person keeps inside and is afraid to show.

One on the most notorious examples is the shooting at the Columbine High School in Littletown, Colorado. There two teenage gunmen shot and killed fifteen students and woonded many others. Ultimately the parents and the media with all the Chaos needed to find a scapegoat. Marilyn Manson, acclaimed most provocative musician ended up being that scapegoat. Apparently the authorities have found a CD of the artist in one of the gunman's home. So the blame for the shootings was not on the gunmen, but on the entertainer. People often associate anyone who looks and behaves differently with illegal or moral activity. By them dressing different and listening to hard-core music, these gunmen became outcast in their school.

The predecessor to Ice T's stance on cops would be the rap group Nigga's with Attitudes or NWA. They received a lot of abuse for a song simply titled "Fu*k tha Police." However the most modern controversy over controversial politics and anti-police messages belongs to the Los Angeles based rock/rap band Rage against the Machine. At a concert in Philadelphia front man Zach de la Rocha made an announcement to the crowd, "we would like to send a brief message to the members of the Fraternal order of Police her in Philadelphia" then they covered NWA's "Fu&k tha police." (www.RATM.com) Rage is no stranger to protest, censorship or threats. They are supporters of a new fair trial for convicted cop killer and death row inmate Mumia Abu Jamal. Mumia himself is also a victim of censorship. Mumia recorded several bits documenting prison life that were played on national radio stations until Senate majority leader Bob Dole and the FOP pressured national radio stations into not playing them.(www.RATM.com) Rage themselves have been boycotted by police on several occasions. Two years ago they played a show in New Jersey to raise money for Mumia's trial expenses and were boycotted outside by numerous policemen.(www.RATM.com) It had no effect on concert goers who are there for the music not the politics. The police who boycott Rage have also targeted NBC for allowing Rage to appear on the Conan O'Brien show and to perform their song "Test

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