In 1981, the first case of AIDS was reported in the United States. Since then, over 700,000 cases of AIDS, and over 1.1 million cases of HIV been reported. Compared to other races/ethnicities, Blacks/African Americans account for a higher proportion of new HIV diagnoses, of those living with HIV, and those who have received an AIDS diagnosis. Moreover, African-American adolescents are disproportionately burdened by HIV than any other similar group. AIDS incidences increased rapidly through the 1980s, and rapidly peaked in the early to mid 1990s. During the same time, rap music and hip-hop culture saw a shift from conscious rap to gangsta rap, in which the lyrics promoted misogyny, promiscuity, alcohol and drugs. My research investigates hip-hop culture from 1985 until 2000 and its correlation with increased HIV and AIDS cases among African American adolescents and young adults during that period. My research will also explore various cultural and behavioral factors associated with this correlation, and will further examine gender differences.
