I know a lot of people like rap. But I personally cannot stand it. Okay there is one good rapper and that's Eminem. And the only reason he's good is he actually raps about meaningful things like his daughters, his wife, and how his being famous affects them. But pretty much all other rappers rap about the dumbest things I've ever heard in my life. Now that's not to say all of their songs are bad. I mean, every rapper has at least one good song (e.g. 'Runaway Love'), but still. I can only take so much of these 'artists' reciting their lyrics like 'drive by shootins', 'slap that hoe', 'my lovely lady humps' and 'crank that soulja boy'.

Rappers are basically telling everyone that you can have no talent whatsoever, write down some crappy lyrics that rhyme, and say them in beat into a microphone and you'll get famous. (e.g. Soulja Boy. Seriously, do any of his lyrics make sense?)*facepalm* Artists who have actual talent like Billy Joel, Celtic Woman, Celine Dion, and Phil Collins are all forgotten about because people nowadays would rather listen to a bunch of untalented wannabes spouting some meaningless lyrics into a mic. It's unfair to people who actually have talent. Anyone can rap and make it sound cool if they wanted, but not everyone can sing like the artists mentioned above.

Okay I'm done ranting. What do you guys think about rap?

I'll tell you my opinion... It's all trash...worthless trash. Like you saud it isn't even talent. All they do is talk the whole time. Autotune and fake instruments can't reaplace the real deal. Personally, I like old school rock n roll because of the soul fact that it is every inch the real deal. Rap is garbage and that's my say.

I like a challenge. I enjoy music. Some of the musicians that I enjoy listening to make Rap music and strangely one of them is not Eminem. Perhaps it is because you listen to many of the contemporary rappers which are on the radio that your perceptions about the genre as a whole may be a little off.

I wouldn't say that it is solely the rappers who represent the current idea of what a musician is, it's many of the singers too. Take Lady Gaga for example. A large part of her success has been the production of her songs (especially from one producer in particular whose name you could probably find on your own). The "studio musicians" as they've been called are the current trend (though perhaps greater than just that as this has been happening for a while now).

But yes, much of the stuff on the radio is garbage. However, look to the old rappers and analyze the subjects in the lyrics. Most rappers fit the Black and/or African American description I'd say and many of them hail from large urban areas (most notably NYC and LA). Certain individuals (those living and raised in the ghetto) grow up in a different world than the rest of America. As a result they are not part of the social stratification that most Americans consider the norm (Upper, Middle, and Lower Classes respectively) and instead in their own world. Things like a good education and a highly paid/respected job (i.e. doctor) are not goals of many of these folks. From a young age, many young Black people grow up in a world that is seen as hopeless and I don't know if you've ever seen urban decay first hand but it's very depressing. If you add all of that up, it leads to things like nihilism, rebellion of social norms, misogyny, etc.

In Soulja Boy's case however, I think that he just listened to some 50 Cent songs and his Dad (apparently a producer or something of that nature) hooked him up. He's what is referred in the Rap community as something of a "shark" or "biter" ("sucka mc" if you want to go old school).

However, not all rap is like that. I'm sure that you may be able to appreciate someone who raps. Pete Rock and CL Smooth, the Roots (an actual rap band), and one of my favourites, Q-Tip, are above many of the rappers who talk about the same old same old stuff.

Rap can be very gritty and foul languaged because it represented the anger of those who were on the microphone. Early classics such as "The Message" and "Fight the Power" demonstrate the social awareness and unrest in these communities. I assure you that it sounds much different and passionate than anything on the radio nowadays. Rap has changed from its roots, the old guy like Eric B. and Rakim, Public Enemy, Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Organized Konfusion, Wu-Tang Clan, among many others are some of my personal favourites and its scary how much more organic and thoughtful they are in comparison to this new stuff. The old days were all about good times, some bragging, social awareness, occasionally even a love song ("Lots of Lovin'" is the best example that I can think of).

I don't like seeing things lumped together under one umbrella term (in this case rap). Rap today is different than the rap of yesteryear. The kids today are very disconnected with the real Rap. Once Rap hit the mainstream, it got commodified, homogenized, and disconnected. The stuff today (and I can't stress this enough) is not Hip-Hop. I didn't even talk about that yet but I'm afraid that I'd be boring you so I'll stop right here.

wow its funny how rap music is my favorite type of music and eminem is my favorite rapper i think rap music is really the best thing out now if u ask me

It's sad that all these people love rap...

I mean, I like every single kind of music EXCEPT rap.

It's sad to say... But even country is O.K.

It's just really disappointing that all these children have to listen to this.

This is a song by Pete Rock and CL Smooth. It is a tribute to their close friend that died, Trouble T Roy. The production from Pete is just wonderful and the execution of the lyrics in CL's rap are some of the most heartfelt that I have ever heard (especially from him considering that he's quite monotone).

NotJon : Everything you said I agree with. I know that rap used to be good. Hell even Tupac had a few good songs (e.g. Dear Mama). But the problem is, nowadays if you play older rap songs to a younger audience, they say something along the lines of 'This isn't real rap. This is sh**.' Which is pretty ironic considering the real sh** is the stuff they're listening to. If some of the old rap would come back onto the scene, I'd like rap more (not much more, but more).

To everyone: But no one will ever convince me that rap takes any kind of talent. Sure it takes talent to write the lyrics, but not all rappers write their own lyrics either. Like I said, anyone can talk in rhyme and in beat. No talent needed. I think rappers that write about meaningful stuff (and actually write it themselves)should be called poets rather than rappers, because basically all good rap is is slam poetry put to music. (mediocre music, but still music nonetheless)

XxChaosxX : Well, most of the GOOD rappers write their own lyrics. I'd say that it takes talent to write a rap song and it takes some more talent to rap them in a way that sounds good.

Hip-Hop is generally a feel good form of music that often expands on the past and builds upon it. "Trouble Man" by Inspectah Deck for example (also produced by Pete Rock) takes the song "Joy" from Isaac Hayes, one of my favourite artists (AKA "Chef" RIP) and he changed it up. He made the bass line more pronounced and added harder drums to match the tone of the rap.

Sure, it's not as complex as art music like classical, however, it's not supposed to be. It's the music of the people. It came a long way from simple break beats and confronting the crowds. It seeped through the urban areas into more mainstream genres of the time. The DJ portion grew tremendously from simple scratches into this:



The vocal aspect of it was revolutionized over time as well. Melle Mel began the conscious raps with "The Message," Rakim created flows and complex rhymes, Chuck D unleashed his anger over tracks like "Fight the Power" and "By the Time I Get to Arizona," many others after that really went in all directions. Some slowed down (B.I.G.), some increased their velocity (Bone Thugs), some REALLY went faster (Blackalicious), some added R&B (the Fugees/Lauryn Hill) and it just kept going for a while. I didn't even get to beatboxing, breakdancing, or graffiti.

These five were the main forms of expression for those kids.

It's a lot harder than it looks. But I agree with you, most kids don't understand this music and most could care less.

I hate rap to be totally honest. I like Eminem, and 2Pac and Notorious B.I.G. are pretty good too but other than that I hate rap. Almost as bad as country.

Not a real big rap fan, myself. Partly because it doesn't really speak to where I'm at, and partly because I grew up around music, my father was a professional musician back in the day (as in the touring kind, kids), and partly because most of what gets put out isn't even worth being called bad poetry. There is a bit of good stuff out there, but not much. Most revolves and sex, drugs, violence and the word "yeah", with gratuitous cursing thrown in for good measure. It's all Blondie's fault.

Cyprian : Actually, it's more of N.W.A's fault for that (though, their foul language is understandable and paints a stunning depiction of what living in Compton was like). There's plenty of good stuff, it's just harder to find nowadays.

Damn gorilla music is what i call it. but there are some good rappers i can actually say i like. Nelly is one. he has alot of song u can tell he put alot of thought to. personally i like oldies most. nothin better than the feelings the associate with their music back then. chicano wrap is my second best but thats on a personal note. everyone has their own opinion an what music is. i might not like rock an metal but i have many friends that worship the stuff. their intelect is beyond me but whatever floats your boat

rojasman2006 : Gorilla music? That sounds pretty racist to me.

sophielove23 :
Zamiel : What do you think?

No racist pun intended. most wrap gives me a head ache an look at the way rappers dance. I'm jus sayin. if gorillas had a favorite choice... rap for the win

NotJon : I think he meant that the words are so incoherent that it sounds like gorillas trying to talk. I don't think he meant to call black rappers gorillas. But I can see how you thought that.

rojasman2006 : Just be more careful and clarify better next time. A phrase that is not meant to be racist can be easily taken that way.

In my honest opinion, all rap is garbage. Oh some guy rhyming while a beat plays in the background is not music, or singing, or even talented at all. Anyone can do that and make it sound like the crap I hear everyday. Real music takes talent, singers have to sing, drummers have to play drums, etc. and be good at it.

I like all kinds of different music, but rap is the most awful thing that I've ever heard. Worse than country, Pop, and even Bluegrass. I don't even like the old stuff, sorry. It all sound the same to me and it all sounds like (c)rap.

One thing I really don't like though with the newer stuff is that they take parts from good songs and add it into their crap pot and ruin it. What's the matter? Can't think of your own garbage so you gotta ruin someone elses song?

Just wanna say that no matter what anyone says, it's not going to change my opinion one bit.

Alright, rap hating rant over.

I like Rap music but Old School Rap that is. I can't stand this new era of rap!

Eazy_187um_KiLLa : Lol I had a feeling you'd say that with your user name and all.

Kerubi : noted, i'll be sure to be more coherent with the things i say, but u hit it dead on. i cant understand anything rappers say so it jus sounds like a buncha gorilla grunts to me jejejej.

rojasman2006 : Were you trying to reply to me? I think you clicked the wrong person. Oh well it's okay. I'll let him know.

Kerubi : Hey babe. He was trying to reply to me not you. He just goofed a little.

NotJon : It does sound racist, but he did explain himself. I say it's more flaming against the music.

rojasman2006 : Everyone has their opinions, you just have to learn how to reword them better. Phrases like "Damn Gorilla Music" can be taken in several different ways, including racism.

I don't like Rap much either...But I DO like Kanye West. Other than that, it's all too much for me. I listen to Rock instead. (: Or metal. Or punk. Anything like that.

sophielove23 : Yeah I saw what he said, it's okay now I suppose.

Kerubi : Well that's one way to look at it. However, most often the producer will rework the sample to match more of a hip hop sound and beat. I mean, I love Isaac Hayes, but Pete Rock really perfected the instrumental for "Trouble Man."

Well, you don't need much talent to sing or play an instrument. Look at Bob Dylan, the guy is arguably among the most respected and praised musicians of the 20th century and yet he couldn't read music or sing very well. It's not just talent, it's what you do with it. It's about the message, the sincerity of the words. Both of the songs that I posted are a testament to this. "T.R.O.Y." is a biographical tribute to a departed friend and "Stem/Long Stem" and its use of forgotten samples and finding the right combination of tracks just sounds epic.

It's a shame that you don't have an open mind about this. You don't need to accept what I say as the ultimate truth or whatever, but don't just say that you won't listen to a different perspective.

I love rap music, it's one of the greatest types of music on Earth. With Classified, Eminem, Drake, and the NWA. It's music, no matter what.

What people think about rap music today is what people thought about rock and roll in the 50's and 60's. Soon it will evolve enough for all to enjoy.

alexanyways : Well, your response was exactly the opposite of what everybody else said.

The thing is, I don't think it will evolve. Rap has been around for what, 20 years? I think it's getting worse, actually.

I'll just stick to my punk and metal, and I'll be okay.

Hasn't every sort of music gotten worse? You've gotta think these things through.

I love rap unconditionally. No matter what. The whole genre can't be messed up by one or two bad rappers. You've just gotta go with the flow.

alexanyways : You do have a point... all of the music is gradually getting worse.

To each his own, I guess. I personally don't like rap, but I don't care if other people do.

NotJon : All I was saying is that no one will make me like it in any way no matter what they say, I understand that some of them like the ones your mentioning actually have meaning to them, I just don't like the music, that's really all there is to it.
It's fine that you like it and others like it, it's just not my cup o' tea. And as for the talent thing, I meant that for me personally to like the music, the artist has to have at least some talent or it's going to sound bad to me. I really am open minded to pretty much everything there is, I just am never going to like rap because I dislike everything about it.

the_casualty : You must have a huge tolerance to ignore people listening to rap, with the clunky headphones that are bigger than your face, and they're blaring on somebody's shoulder, for everybody to hear.

Anyways, music is declining, because of the lack of thought that goes into songs. But with rap, it's not all glam and techno, it's mainly spoken word, with advanced vocabularies, (if you can say that), so it's technically smarter than the modern day dance music we hear every day on the radio.

Kerubi : I don't care that you don't like it, I even said that I wasn't trying to force it on anyone. I was merely saying that it's not good to just say that "I won't change my opinion one bit." It sounds very close minded.

Also, you said that it doesn't take talent (as do many other people that argue against the authenticity of the genre as music), however, I have never heard any of the people who have said that make their own raps.

NotJon : I wasn't implying that you were forcing it on me, I was just trying to explain what I meant in my first post when I said, 'Just wanna say that no matter what anyone says, it's not going to change my opinion one bit.' That's all.

And I wont change my mind about it because I've heard a lot of rap(my three brothers would listen to it and nothing else) and I don't like how any of it sounds. I am open minded, I'm just picky once I try or, in this case, hear something. I've listened to old, new, male, female, etc. rap and I just can't enjoy listening to it at all.

And as far as I see it, rap is basically a poem that someone is reading of while music plays in the background. If they didn't write it themselves, then they truly have zero talent. And if they did, then that's fine, I just find songwriting and actually singing more talented then writing a poem and reading it off.

All in all, this is just my opinion, no one has to agree with me at all. I could be absolutely wrong in every way to you, and that's fine. We're all entitled to our opinions.

I'm also personally sorry to you NotJon if I had made you mad in any way, I really wasn't trying to make it sound that way if I did.

Kerubi : Let's just agree to disagree. I'm sure everyone has an irrational dislike of something due to their siblings or whomever. It's okay, I never get mad at things like this. I may get depressed lol, but not angry. I'm not depressed though.

I think that hating rap is fashionable. That's where all the haters come from. Rap is like every other form of music: There are some good songs, and some horrible songs. Genre doesn't define quality. Rap is good. A lot of my friends are really into it. I like it too, but it isn't my favourite.

Everybody has there own opinions in music. I don't like rap at all. I don't like because I've grown up listening to rock all my life. Thing about rap is that I can't find any emotion in the singing, it's just a blank expression. It's that I like to feel what the singer is singing. That's why I prefer rock over rap.

I don't even like Eminem. They just turn up the bass all the way and read a poem that has mostly swears in it. Maybe they make original songs, but I would never count it as music.

Rap isn't bad. Every genre of music is the same to me. Some good songs, some bad. There were some good artists, and some bad ones. A few people I know that say they've been listening to only a few tracks. And I honestly think that's how a good amount of people think about it, they only listen to a few rap songs before they officially declare they hate rap. Try listening to every variation of rap *coughcoughSonicAdventure2Battlecough* and maybe everyone will like something about it. I don't listen to much rap myself, but I like it.

Please don't flame me over this D:

vizwiz123 : I know that some people only listen to a few songs and then judge the entire genre and I think that's stupid. If you're gonna pass judgment on something, at least give it a good chance first. However, I have given it a chance. I've listened to a wide variety of rap and I just can't stand it. I respect your opinion, but I can't agree with it.

XxChaosxX : Out of curiosity, have you ever listened to De La Soul, Organized Konfusion, A Tribe Called Quest, or GZA?

XxChaosxX : Well, that's cool with me. At least you didn't flame me, and I do respect your opinion.

NotJon : No I haven't. Sorry. Why are they rap groups?

XxChaosxX : Lol, just some of the best ones (and some of my favourites, especially OK).

Never cared for rap myself. The closest thing I get to it is Mindless Self Indulgence. It's just got a musical style to it that I don't care for and I'm kinda picky about what I listen too.

i personally think new school rap is a plain heap of trash. i prefer old school rap that has a positive message, not people talking about, shooting,killing, doing drugs, all that other crud. im african american and every time i tell some one i listen to alot of besides rap they stare at me like i nuked america. i just cant stand rap. and for some people who listen to it , its a crying shame.

I don't blame people nowadays for hating rap music. The stuff that has been popular for the past 10 years has been HORRIBLE for the most part. Complete garbage.

That said, I do enjoy rap music, but 99.9% of the rap music I like was released before 2000

If you want to listen to some great rap music listen to some stuff that was released in the 90's or late 80's a lot of great rap albums were released during that time.

Where to begin...I've had a lot of different construction and warehouse jobs where the radio is on all day, and some of the time the station is on classic or alternative rock, and

sometimes on rap. I cannot tolerate rap, to me, it sounds retarded, especially when I'm working. Rap slows me down at work because I cannot understand what they're saying, so

it just sounds, I don't know, unintelligent.

tRIUNE : You should find a better word than "retarded."

The reason you may not understand it is due to the use of slang (I'm guessing you're referring to that). I remember in my literature class we were discussing the diction used by rappers. It can be comparable to the language used by the writers a few hundred years ago (like Shakespeare). It's meant to be hard to understand. The writers back then used so much symbolism, metaphors, strange syntax, among other tools to create very (almost artsy) civilized writing. The language used in rap is to cater to a certain audience as well. That audience understands it.

Many rappers did not grow up in the same stratification socially as say you or even me. Most are not even in the lower class/middle class/upper class; they're out of the loop. Their everyday lives can be much more miserable. Different things are valued here. Education and proper English are not among them. That is not to say that they are unintelligent, many people have risen from the depths (even in Rap) to do great things. What is often valued here can be heard in much of the lyrics.

A big trend that has been going on for about two decades has been the glorification of the gangster/ghetto lifestyle. Some musicians in this genre try to create a facade (numerous), others try to paint a grim reality (Nas, specifically Illmatic), many others brag of the fruits of such a lifestyle and leave out the negatives of the individual associated with it (numerous). Not all rap centers around this however, there are many musicians who use the Rap/Hip-Hop sound in their music (many that would not even be considered Rap to untrained ears).

The style of Hip-Hop based music lies in its reworking of past works, use of a break beats (and other samples), rapping (but not always), and pretty much goes from there. There's this sub-genre of Hip-Hop called Trip-Hop that is pretty much Hip-Hop but more England based and the focus is more on the Hip-Hop sound than on the usual Hip-Hop lyrics. That's a good starting place in my opinion for those who are interested and haven't opened up to the music created and popularized in NY.

Rap is music that best speaks to me.Artist like Lil Wayne,Drake,50 cent and Eminem are some of the best rappers of this Generation.

Ive never really cared for it myself.They never sing about things I can relate to.

Rapping is nothing but a trashy way to express yourself (well not all of songs are trashy).
Either way, everyone can rhyme and beatbox(my opinion on the beatbox thing and possibly on the rhyming ) so it is really pointless.

becerra95 : Have you seen what the real rappers and beatboxers can do? I'd like to see you attempt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foEU2WHdOzA or this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjYobyChFqo.

I don't like your binary thinking and oversimplification of a culture that you fail to understand. Bob Dylan couldn't sing, read music, or play instruments particularly well, and yet he is one of the most praised musical artists of the 20th century. It's not just natural talent (which no one really possesses). Bob Dylan was revolutionary in his songwriting; that's the thing that really set him apart from other musicians. Before him, no one wrote their own lyrics and if they did, they weren't as serious or as heartfelt.

According to your argument -- since obviously everyone can rap and beatbox -- everyone can also sing and play instruments too. That doesn't mean that they can sing or play well though. I'm serious, make your own music and see how far you get with that attitude. If it's so easy I'd like to see you try.

It's one thing not to like a certain kind of music, it's quite another to criticize others who have spent their whole lives honing their skill(s) and look down upon those who don't live a lifestyle like your own. You think people wanted to live in the ghettos and witness urban decay before their very eyes? I'd like to see how positive you can be when everyday you live in a place like Newark. Expression in any form is better than staying quiet and killing each other.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlCrc4HKb_4
Dangerous Mindz by Gravediggaz


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE_AZkAf7MY

All Alone(No One to Be With) by Slick Rick

Doomsday Productions is another great one to check out.