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.