Like many other public issues music becomes an outlet to express people's feelings about a certain topic. Prohibition is no different, in fact many people believe jazz got its start from Prohibition in the U.S. Jazz was known for being involved with speakeasies, which became a place for jazz beginning the "Jazz Era." A speakeasy was an establishment that illegally sold alcohol at the time. Some of them were operated by people who were part of organized crime. This could be why jazz had a bad reputation at the time.
Anti-Prohibtion song by Billy Murray- "The Alcoholic Blues"
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Anti-Prohibition song by Bert Williams - "When the Moon Shines on the Moonshine"
In the 21st century, however, alcohol is mentioned in many songs. Alcohol is thought of as to be cool or rebellious, it is often referred to in Pop of Rap music. Alcohol is thought to be bad and some thoughts from the prohibition still remain. Just as with speakeasies, people feel rebellious when they drink alcohol. Especially when they are underage, because it is illegal, just as with the Prohibition and makes them feel cool. People who often break the rules are referred to as "gangsta" which could originate with gangsters (people who were part of the mafia) who had often been involved with speakeasies and crime.
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