Hip-hop is so often put down for being and aggravator of violence, crime, substance abuse and misogyny, but honestly, if that’s the case, then you’re probably not listening to the right kind of hip-hop. Because there are so many great hip-hop artists out there who are rapping about real social and political issues that need to be brought into the spotlight. As well as occasionally about women’s’ backsides.

These days, hip-hop is doing a whole lot more than just raising awareness about some of the major flaws in out society (as if that wasn’t already enough). Now, hip-hop could actually be influencing our culture for the better, in three major ways. Yes, that’s right, hip-hop could actually be making the world a more dope place to live. Holla! (Can you tell a very white female is writing this?)

1. Hip-hop as a treatment for mental illness

Struggling with depression, anxiety or just a bad case of Monday moodiness? Two doctors at the University of Cambridge think that grabbing your headphones and pumping some Kendrick Lamar may be able to help make those blues disappear.

This isn’t just some obscure theory either, and a full study is being conducted into the effects that hip-hop can have on those with mental health issues such as depression and even schizophrenia. Dr. Inkster and Dr. Sule believe that artists who rap about overcoming hardships and obstacles in their life can be empowering and uplifting to those who are struggling with their own problems, particularly if they’re dealing with similar issues.

Hip-hop artists often rap about overcoming drug abuse, financial difficulties, living in low socio-economic neighbourhoods, crime and racial abuse, all of which can be major contributors to mental illness. Dr. Sule believes that listeners can relate to a number of these issues and will feel inspired when they hear stories from hip-hop artists who have risen above suffering and come out on top. It provides the one thing that so many mental illness sufferers need: hope. In his words:

“We believe that hip-hop, with its rich, visual narrative style, can be used to make therapies that are more effective for specific populations and can help patients with depression to create more positive images of themselves, their situations and their future.”

While not all of us have experienced life in the hood, there’s so much more that we can take away from hip-hop lyrics. Often you’ll hear about rappers surviving through bullying, problems with their physical health, body insecurities, or drinking and drug problems. Hell, a bunch of them are even advocators for getting clean and making sobriety the new black. Many write their lyrics with the intention of helping those young people struggling with mental illness–it’s their way of letting their fans know that yes, everything is going to be okay.

2. Hip-hop as a tool against racism

In the words of the wise and almighty Jay Z, hip-hop is working wonders for bridging the gap between races:

“I think that hip hop has done more for racial relations than most cultural icons. And I say, save Martin Luther King, because his dream speech we realized when President Obama got elected. This music didn’t only influence kids from urban areas, it influenced people all around the world. Racism is taught in the home. I truly believe that racism is taught when you’re young, so it’s very difficult to teach racism when your kid looks up to Snoop Doggy Dogg.”

Jay Z goes on to talk about how “techno” and “hip-hop” clubs that were once separate have now become integrated to include music and people of all kinds.

“Once you have people partying, dancing and singing along to the same music, then conversations naturally happen after that. And within conversations, we all realize that we’re more alike than we are separate.”

It’s a standpoint that has both supporters and skeptics, but there are a number of people who agree that hip-hop is having a positive effect on racial relations. Steve Stoute, author of The Tanning of America, discusses the way hip-hop culture has infiltrated into everyday life across the globe. Stoute points to the way the hip-hop vernacular and culture has become trendy amongst the world’s youth, and even created an ad agency that focuses on helping large companies appeal to this part of their demographic to sell more products.

Dr. Dre once famously commented of white rapper Eminem:

“I don’t care if he’s purple, as long as he can rap.”

While there is still a ways to go in terms of bridging the gap between the races in the hip-hop industry, this statement showcases what hip-hop is really about: the music. It is something that everyone can enjoy and join in with, no matter their race or upbringing.

3. Hip-hop as a source of female empowerment

Traditionally, the hip-hop world was one that was male-dominated and, all too often, a little sexist. The degradation and objectification of women was a reoccurring theme in rap lyrics, but all that is starting to shift.

It started back in 90s, when artists like Queen Latifah and Missy Elliott starting promoting a bit of fem-power and self-love, and now more and more lady rappers are bursting onto the hip-hop scene, forcing the old boys club to start changing its ways.

Hip-hop is becoming a great example of how opinions can be changed and that progress is possible, and now there are a whole host of successful female artists who are crushing it on the rap scene. There’s a long way to go before things can be considered “equal”, but at least women are getting a chance to have their voices heard.

Last year, Nicki Minaj responed to MTV about constantly being called a “female rapper”:

“I do not see myself as a female rapper anymore. I’m sorry, I see myself as a rapper. Like you said, I’ve worked with the greats and I’ve held my own with the greats. They respect me so I should respect myself enough to see myself the same way they see themselves.”

Sure, not all of these fantastic points can be applied to all rap music, but there’s no doubt that hip-hop is a huge cultural influencer. And if hip-hop can be wielded for good, then we may just have one of the greatest tools for social change ever created. So, crank the volume and if your mum yells at you to turn it down, just tell her you’re changing the world.*

*Attention: your mum probably won’t care.