What’s the Rap About Ecstasy?

Abstract

Trends in ecstasy use in America during the past decade were reflected in mainstream, American rap-music lyrics between 1996 and 2003. Drawing on communication and cultural studies theory, this article provides a content analysis of 69 rap songs mentioning the club drug ecstasy. The songs are coded according to whether they contain positive, mixed or ambiguous, or negative messages about using or dealing ecstasy. Through an interpretive lens, the authors identify specific themes, messages, and behaviors pertaining to ecstasy use in the music lyrics and explore how these lyrics relate to shifting drug trends and to issues of race, class, and gender in American society.