Rap is Crap

It's nice to see that everyone is taking such an open-minded view of rap music, and really stopping to consider its relative merits and values with a fair and balanced system of inquiry... ;-)

Rap/Hip Hop/Whatever you want to call it...may not be your thing...If that's the case, then more power to you, you don't have to listen to rap, or even read my words...

I'm not even a huge lover of rap music, and my catalogue has maybe 3 or 4 actual RAP discs, so I'm not some well versed historian on rap music here.

But I listen to the stylistic ramblings of Mos Def, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, the Beasties (as mentioned), OutKast [who was way OFF THE HOOK for years before they were media "sensations."] and other select rap artists, and I see that there is VALUE in the genre. However, one thing that really does limit the genre of rap music in my mind, is that it does not translate into "live performance" as well.

Rap music has its place...It's not in the center of my music library, but it does live out in the fringes...A little diversity is good for everyone, and the rhythms and intense poetics of certain rap artists (Q-Tip, Mos Def, and others...you tell me...) are quite amazing, and verbally deft.

However, many less-talented rap musicians do focus on negative themes that should not be propagated by huge album sales...

That's why Rap gets a "bad" Rap (How terrible is that, TarHead? jeez...)...

But I do assert that there is value in the genre.

 

Yes,a 'lot of music' is all about sex,drugs and violence! It's sad to see crap- rappers making money off the kids.The hype,flash,videos ,it is imaginary taken for real by a lot of kids.There are good rap artists,Mary J Blige,Missy Elliott,gee,that's all that comes to mind!(that's my 2 cents)

 

You wont get shit from me, I hate rap. I cant stand rappers who make millions from their music when they have absolutely no musical talent at all. There are only a few actual musicians in the rap world. (Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, CMM and Run DMC)

 

You know the same could be said about your 60s and 70s bands that you adore so much. Those songs were about drugs and were the result of drugs. You had songs about LSD, X, Coke, you name it, lol. You people are such hipocrates. I can understand "I don't like it", but not rants like "It sucks, i hate it, rap has no soul".

 

There is a BIG difference between 60s-70s bands that were into drugs and current rap. The stuff back then was mostly a result of drugs which produced extroadinary lyrics and sounds (neither have been close to replicated because no other bands have enough talent). Todays rap is nothing more than "saying yo yo yo lets fuck this bitch and smoke a blunt yo" That takes zero talent, which is why rappers get no respect from me.

 

I hate these "rap is crap" threads... especially coming folks who have never listened to most rap. There's a lot more to rap than what's in the mainstream. A lot of mainstream rap isn't very good, but there are excellent rappers out there like, the Black Eyed Peas and Public Enemy (acts which I enjoy). Actually, I haven't listened to most rap, but there's a lot of good music in the genre. The thing is you're not going to find it on MTV.

 

how can you post on a subject you know little or nothing about. i have been an old skool rap fan for a long time now. run dmc, sir mix alot etc.... I am also a big Wyclef, Black Eyed Peas, OutKast and WuTangClan fan ​

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but have any of you ever taken time to listen to groups like DEAD PREZ ... check them out if you want rap with a message behind it. ​

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I don't like a lot of main strem stuff but some of it is just about fun, I like to listen to a good Booty Shaking song every once in a while just for the hell of it.​

 

Imortal Technique is the shit

 

Some really good rap existed back in the day... Run DMC, Beastie Boys, Tupac, Public Enemy,etc... I never liked rap too much, but these artists are rather good. Today's rap, is indeed... shit.

 

Haha, Ok. So tell me, what made the bands back then have more talent than now? You need to seriously open up, man. You're in this mindframe that they were the shit and no one can touch them. They wernt gods, they were the same as you and me, besides a mix of drugs. Don't get me wrong, I love some of that music, but there are bands now that are just as talented. They're not on the radio, which is maybe why you dont realize it. And I sure as hell can't rap, but I guess you are the almighty freestyle king. Trying listening to something besides your radio.

 

"Rap is Crap"


... word.

 

The sad thing is, rap USED to have really significance. Back in it's early days, it was used as a form of protest against social and economical discrimination in "the hood". There WAS real talent shown, and it WAS a valuable and creative artform.

Nowadays however, I'd agree that its all about da bling and da biatches. It's all been dumbed down in order to make it cool and accessible for the middle class youth of Americ. MTV and pop culture has destroyed anything good about rap/hip hop etc and its become all about the image. Baggy trousers, violence and big booty bitches is what its all about now. Teenage "thugz" everywhere, its depressing as hell.

I personally hate the mainstream shit I see everywhere on TV. It sucks, like you say theres an amazing lack of talent there... There are however, a lot of talented artists further underground, and while I dont actually LIKE their style of music, I can appreciate their talent and the issues they sing about.

All you people saying point blank that rap sucks need to look at things less in black and white. Yes, mainstream rap is shit. No, you may not even like any rap as a genre. But its just stupid to say that talented rap artists don't exist.

 

Exactly LooLoo

 

You know, I totally forgot about oldschool rap....^^'' . Some of that's actually good, like that one song where they keep on singing ''That is what we are'', where they were talking of what this world has become, it was sad, but it actually sounded beautiful ( You heard me), I'm not sure, was men in black a rap song? If yes, than it was actually good.


anyway like stated before, I can't stand rap ( besides old school).<-edited in, lol

 

Mainstream rap isn't too great! It's sad because when people think of rap music, they think about what they see one MTV/ BET and what's on the radio. It's sad! When in actuality, the best rappers aren't millionares and are hardly seen on television. Most of mainstream rap is monotonous material. If you wanna know what real rap/ hip hop is..you actually have to look for it. Mos Def, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Common, Jeru the Damaja, Gangstarr and there are many more. In my collection of music, you'll find a few people you MIGHT have heard of, but I hardly turn on music videos to see what's hot. I stay underground where the real Emcees emcee. Music that you can actually listen to without worrying if your little sister or cousin is in the room. Underground rap, Real rap, Conscience rap, or whatever you want to call it, its not mainstream. Judging hip hop from what you hear on the radio is like judging an iceberg just by looking at what's above the water. There is so much unrealized potential lurking beneath the surface.

 

didnt read the whole thread.

If you're looking for creative artistic style in hip hop (i consider good rap hip hop and mainstream stuff rap) look no further than:

Blackalicious
Gift of Gab
Lyrics Born
Jurassic 5

and many more. The problem isn't rap, the problem is media consolodation.

 

you sound like my dad. but i do like a few rap songs...theyre amusing....

 

stunt dragon, loo loo, funkyphresh , and some others know what's up.
You have to look at the whole picture.
Mainstream anything sucks.
Don't knock it 'til you know something about it, which alot of you obviously do not.
Check out the underground "conscious" rap.(good one stunt dragon)
Then get back to this thread & tell us what you thought
~peace & blessings

 

I'm actually a big fan of most hip-hop and a bit of rap, there are a few artists out there that are looking past the material wealth and are creating some work of substance.

K-Os
Tupac
Tribe Called Quest
Beastie Boys
Lauren Hill
Nas
Wycleff Jean
The Roots
Sweatshop Union
Outkast
Talib Kweli
Buck 65

and even the heavier stuff like WuTang has some very deep emotional expression and meaning, it's just real easy to got thrown off by all the vulgar language and the expression of thier ghetto counter culture

 

Maybe you're only hearing commercialized rap. Freestyling is one of the best things to do when you're high or even when you're not. Why don't you pull your hand out of your ass and stop being a close minded jackass.

Good-day sir.