I've heard it evolve from party rhymes over disco records to the cultural icon it has become. But what has surprised me the most is the effect rap music has had on the modern relationship.

It is not uncommon for a 20-something male to refer to his girlfriend as his "bitch," often right there in front of her face. Then she will grin and return the endearment and refer to him as her "nigga."

Now, I don't know where you grew up, but my momma would get on a plane just to slap my face for talking to my wife that way.

That's not where it ends. We are even borrowing the roles in our relationships from the likes of Snoop Dogg.

Every guy is a pimp now. I heard a 7-year-old white kid from Douglas tell me that he "didn't have no love for them hoes!"

I didn't think that a computer class was the proper place to explain to him what a hoe actually is, but I had to go there anyway.

Later that day, in the same class, an 11-year old girl told me she wanted to be a stripper when she grew up. Computer class quickly turned into an episode of Doctor Phil.

I'm floored by the effect rap music has had on America. The message in most popular music is comical at best. How can anyone actually believe that an overweight, unemployed, wannabe drug dealer, who rhymes "jiggy" with "fifty," can somehow demand the complete attention of 20 supermodels and throw lavish parties in the Hamptons?

Do you really think that Beyonce uses the term "booty-licious" on her resume? But as absurd as it sounds, most single men are secretly trying to live out a player lifestyle that they discovered listening to DMX CDs.

Multiple hookups are the norm now. Most couples move in together without actually doing any real dating. And I am convinced most young men don't feel complete unless they have a "baby's mama" blowing up their cell phone.

Popular music has caused digression back to the Neanderthal relationships of the past. I mean the ancient past, not the "sit and watch sports while she does the dishes" relationships of the last century.

I'm talking missing link, grayback gorilla relationships.

It's frightening to realize that we are back at the watering hole again. The local night club serves as the attraction. The males of the species stand around the perimeter of the dance floor, waiting for the alcohol to take effect so they can take away a female of the species to mate.

It's not National Geographic folks. It's the way we date now, thanks to 2 Live Crew.

The reality is that it is easier to love them and leave them than it is to love them and keep them. We give up too easily and are way too lazy in our relationships.

Here's my solution: the next time someone catches your eye, pull up your pants, turn your cap around and ask them out for coffee and conversation instead of spending the weekend searching for them in the bars downtown.

Be sure to find a place that plays jazz, just in case you're feeling a little cave-mannish!