The Use of Rap Music in Music Therapy Treatment with Adolescents and Young Adults: A Survey

This study examined how music therapists who work with adolescents and young adults use rap music in music therapy treatment. The use of rap music in music therapy with any age group or population is not well examined in the existing literature; however, it is standard practice for music therapists to incorporate the preferred music of clients, and it is likely that rap music is the preferred music of some adolescent and young adult clients. A survey was sent to 512 board-certified music therapists who reported working with adolescents and young adults. A total of 71 respondents (14% response rate) provided information about their use of rap music in music therapy treatment and their perceptions of rap music. The results indicated that rap music is being used frequently in music therapy treatment with adolescents and young adults, and it is being used in a wide variety of settings and interventions. The results also indicated that while music therapists often use rap music for rapport building and connection making, music therapists might not be well educated about rap music. The study also included recommendations for music therapists to be further educated on rap music and the ways it may be incorporated into treatment.