Growing up listening to a heavy dose of hip-hop and rap, I naturally idolized my urban heroes.

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Ms. PURNELL: Well, I feel that, basically, the rap portion of hip-hop does have a negative impact, but also what I would like to state is that there's positive rap out there however it's not being pushed into mainstream as the negative side of it.

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Now, I'm sure all of you have heard your fair share of critique of rap and hip-hop.

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Ms. NELSON: Well, I am of the opinion that it does have a negative influence on the society, but I think people are discounting the positive aspects of people who are trying to use hip-hop - not necessarily rap - as a vehicle for change.

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