Another Reason Why Hip-Hop Sucks

[BDR]

(All that shit you just said ...)

Bravo ...

r:>)

[AtoMikEnRtiA]

Maybe Im just in a pissy mood today or this whole topic has a really scary overtone to it....but man, what the hell.

I'd like to state for the record, Im not a huge hip-hop fan and even less a rap fan. I dont know a lot about the culture, nor do I relate to much of it.

I know Im gonna piss a lot of people off and I apologize if I do....I dont know most of you and would really be dissapointed if expressing my opinion here makes me an outcast.

The majority of the opinions here are mass generalizations. If you hate hip-hop/rap, that is your absolute right - thats what makes America great. But, what also makes America great, is that we are a DIVERSE culture and whether you like it or not, hip-hop and rap are a part of that diversity.

Keep Hip-hop out of rockpage. Topic shot down

The above quote sounds like the same type of idealogy that came out of Europe in the 1930s - scary. The day Rockpage starts banning genre specific music is the day I will suspend my account. Personally I care even less for thrash, hardcore and death metal moreso than I do hip-hop or rap, but its MY CHOICE not to purchase or listen to that music if I so desire. I dont come here and get in debates or voice negative opinions on how that genre of music could be just as negative ie....burning in hell, all hail Satan, decapitating who knows what and on and on and on (does that sound like a massive generalization - hmmmm). There are extremes in almost every genre of music. Again, if you dont like it, dont listen to it. If you raise your children the way you want to raise them - then you probably dont have to worry about how they are going to be affected - they are free thinkers.

I still don't see the validity of the arguments. You're just trying to gain ground by saying that Rock is less vulgar because it falls lower on the continuum of what is vulgar. Vulgarity is a subjective thing to being with. The same arguments that you're applying to Hip-hop right now were applied to Bill Haley and the Comets and Elvis in the 1950s. The social climate was much more conservative then, so what they were doing did seem very vulgar at the time.

Well said. My folks turned out alright. I turned out alright. Im sure the vast majority of people who listen to hip-hop/rap will turn out alright too. Its what this generation wants and its being delivered to them. Rock and roll cant be king forever - though I wish it would.

I read time and time again about so many bands on here not being able to get a show or their genre of music is baised against. Here is an example of something thats going on here in State College. There is a certain hip/hop band in town that is finding it EXTREMELY difficult to get shows in town. Im not going to mention them because I dont want to open them up to the kind of crap thats been spewed on this post today. With all the college kids in town, this band has the potential to be a big hit. Ive been playing drums for over 20 years and Id like to think Im a pretty good judge of talent. This band uses samples, they have a DJ....sometimes 2. They also have a real drummer, incredible female vocals, guitars, bass, keys and sometimes horns. They hump equipment and write very intelligent lyrics. But they cant seem to get a job - WTF? Theyve won every band battle the university has had (They beat us out 2 years ago for the Moving On Battle of the Bands) they have a following. WTF? 2 of the creative members of this band also are trying to start a booking agency to promote multi-genre music. They are booking a "Diversity Tour" around the commenwealth campuses of PA, and Im proud to say we are a part of that tour. Hell....we have an alt-country kinda flare to us at times, but they supprt the hell out of us.

Yeah I guess this topic really rubbed me the wrong way. Forgive my rant. I just wish some of you spreading all the hate would just take a step back and think about what youre saying here and what youre trying to do by keeping a genre down. Would you want that to happen to you? Are you afraid of something new? You dont have to like it - but you really make yourself look like a small minded person spreading so much hate about it.

One love, one heart ~ Bob Marley

My opinion here is my opinion only. If you want to bash me about it fine, but dont bash my band - they did not write this.

Steve

You make some very valid points - yes we live in a diverse culture where all forms of music are embraced and accepted, and thats' great - God bless America for being that - but the fact is, your statement is good on an idealogical sense, but it's totally in-accurate when put into practical use. No matter where you go, there is that one or 2 forms of music that are looked down upon in that specific geographical location - and as much as people hate to admit it - this reflects entirely off culture, and civilizational clashing.. examples..

In your general location (Central PA, and mostly all rural areas) - the 2 most popular genres of music are un-doubtedbly country music, and 80s metal. Even though the 2 are completely on the opposite ends of the spectrum, it is true - and the 2 forms of music that are frowned upon are.. rap/hip hop, and "death metal, industrial metal, and metal core" -

In the city - it's a heavily dominated rap/hip hop world - however in some cities, espically growing in NYC and Baltiomore there is an un-believable hardcore movement growing like wildfire. The music forms looked down upon are country and metal

so you see - culture does lead to musical preferance - and even though we may be diverse in logic, in practical use we are as selective about music as we are anything else.

another thing that bothers me...

nightcrawler_steve said this..

Personally I care even less for thrash, hardcore and death metal moreso than I do hip-hop or rap, but its MY CHOICE not to purchase or listen to that music if I so desire. I dont come here and get in debates or voice negative opinions on how that genre of music could be just as negative ie....burning in hell, all hail Satan, decapitating who knows what and on and on and on

actually hardcore, thrash and death metal aren't as into this as they once were - if you listen to some good hardcore bands - alot of hardcore, death and metalcore bands now stem a lot of their violent music from politics, and everyday life scenarios - it's certainly not as common for a metal band to say all hail satan as it is for an emo or punk rock band to talk about slicing their wrists or throats. - so in an actual sense, rap and hip hop which in its earliest forms tackled real issues downgraded from actual issues, to ass grabbing and crotch pulling - where as metal graduated to everyday issues in life, good examples are otep shamaya and god forbid - so all in all you're right - each genre of music has it's certain extremes.. but i still dont find any as sickening or as crippling on the morals and conscience of contemporary america than that of rap and hip hop

[Banned]

Steve,

I agree with your piece on not bashing others for their choices or styles
of music. I've played (and enjoy) a diverse variety of musical types. I
have my own opinions on those who take advantage of fans, etc. I don't
have a problem with hip-hop (although it isn't my favorite style). I had a
group of friends from New England area years ago that played solely
hip-hop and R &B and let me tell you, "they f***in smoked". Great musicians, great band, and great people. All I'm saying is don't bash
others/judge without the facts, or knowing them. Just my thoughts.


Peace!

[Bit*chenWomen1029]

Maybe Im just in a pissy mood today or this whole topic has a really scary overtone to it....but man, what the hell.

I'd like to state for the record, Im not a huge hip-hop fan and even less a rap fan. I dont know a lot about the culture, nor do I relate to much of it.

I know Im gonna piss a lot of people off and I apologize if I do....I dont know most of you and would really be dissapointed if expressing my opinion here makes me an outcast.

The majority of the opinions here are mass generalizations. If you hate hip-hop/rap, that is your absolute right - thats what makes America great. But, what also makes America great, is that we are a DIVERSE culture and whether you like it or not, hip-hop and rap are a part of that diversity.

Keep Hip-hop out of rockpage. Topic shot down

The above quote sounds like the same type of idealogy that came out of Europe in the 1930s - scary. The day Rockpage starts banning genre specific music is the day I will suspend my account. Personally I care even less for thrash, hardcore and death metal moreso than I do hip-hop or rap, but its MY CHOICE not to purchase or listen to that music if I so desire. I dont come here and get in debates or voice negative opinions on how that genre of music could be just as negative ie....burning in hell, all hail Satan, decapitating who knows what and on and on and on (does that sound like a massive generalization - hmmmm). There are extremes in almost every genre of music. Again, if you dont like it, dont listen to it. If you raise your children the way you want to raise them - then you probably dont have to worry about how they are going to be affected - they are free thinkers.

I still don't see the validity of the arguments. You're just trying to gain ground by saying that Rock is less vulgar because it falls lower on the continuum of what is vulgar. Vulgarity is a subjective thing to being with. The same arguments that you're applying to Hip-hop right now were applied to Bill Haley and the Comets and Elvis in the 1950s. The social climate was much more conservative then, so what they were doing did seem very vulgar at the time.

Well said. My folks turned out alright. I turned out alright. Im sure the vast majority of people who listen to hip-hop/rap will turn out alright too. Its what this generation wants and its being delivered to them. Rock and roll cant be king forever - though I wish it would.

I read time and time again about so many bands on here not being able to get a show or their genre of music is baised against. Here is an example of something thats going on here in State College. There is a certain hip/hop band in town that is finding it EXTREMELY difficult to get shows in town. Im not going to mention them because I dont want to open them up to the kind of crap thats been spewed on this post today. With all the college kids in town, this band has the potential to be a big hit. Ive been playing drums for over 20 years and Id like to think Im a pretty good judge of talent. This band uses samples, they have a DJ....sometimes 2. They also have a real drummer, incredible female vocals, guitars, bass, keys and sometimes horns. They hump equipment and write very intelligent lyrics. But they cant seem to get a job - WTF? Theyve won every band battle the university has had (They beat us out 2 years ago for the Moving On Battle of the Bands) they have a following. WTF? 2 of the creative members of this band also are trying to start a booking agency to promote multi-genre music. They are booking a "Diversity Tour" around the commenwealth campuses of PA, and Im proud to say we are a part of that tour. Hell....we have an alt-country kinda flare to us at times, but they supprt the hell out of us.

Yeah I guess this topic really rubbed me the wrong way. Forgive my rant. I just wish some of you spreading all the hate would just take a step back and think about what youre saying here and what youre trying to do by keeping a genre down. Would you want that to happen to you? Are you afraid of something new? You dont have to like it - but you really make yourself look like a small minded person spreading so much hate about it.

One love, one heart ~ Bob Marley

My opinion here is my opinion only. If you want to bash me about it fine, but dont bash my band - they did not write this.

Steve

Amen

[nightcrawler_steve]

Atomic....

Hey my friend *said with all sincerity*. I am not trying to be right here. Thats not my point. Im trying to say that its not cool to spread hate, be so generalized and to put down or *gasp* ban a genre of music. No matter what it is or what it is saying.

I was also trying to make that point by using my personal dislike of hardcore, death metal, etc. to grab the attention of those posting hate and making generalizations. I think its a pretty safe assumption there are alot of heavy, hardcore type musicians and fans on this site (which is totally cool) Perhaps I didnt articulate it well enough. When you quoted me, you left out an important part of the quote....

Quote:
Personally I care even less for thrash, hardcore and death metal moreso than I do hip-hop or rap, but its MY CHOICE not to purchase or listen to that music if I so desire. I dont come here and get in debates or voice negative opinions on how that genre of music could be just as negative ie....burning in hell, all hail Satan, decapitating who knows what and on and on and on

What you left out is where I said, "does that sound like a massive generalization - hmmmm". Well of course it does, that was my point. Im no fool....I know that not all of that style is like that. Just like not all of hip/hop and rap is like that. And to blame that genre of music for societies problems is just rediculous. Does it affect culture and drive trends, of course, but its not the cause of societies "ills".

You make some very valid points - yes we live in a diverse culture where all forms of music are embraced and accepted, and thats' great - God bless America for being that - but the fact is, your statement is good on an idealogical sense, but it's totally in-accurate when put into practical use. No matter where you go, there is that one or 2 forms of music that are looked down upon in that specific geographical location - and as much as people hate to admit it - this reflects entirely off culture, and civilizational clashing.. examples.

Again....youre missing the point. Why hate and bash? Why cant there be acceptance. Hell even apathy. Im apathetic to music I dont care for. remember this is music...we have a choice to be affected by it. Are our egos so huge that we think we are going to change the course of the world or society with our tunes? Music is more of a "reflection" of society. It is to be enjoyed, take away some of the stress from our lives, express ideas and thoughts....help us to hook up with that girl/guy in the back of the car or on the dance floor.

so you see - culture does lead to musical preferance - and even though we may be diverse in logic, in practical use we are as selective about music as we are anything else.

Well duh....of course culture leads to preference. Again....Im not trying to make a point about anyones preference. Im stressing nobody has a right to ban anything....specifically a genre of music. And its "small minded" of someone to put down or bash another genre of music and spread hate. I dont think I can be much clearer in what Im trying to say here. And it doesnt matter if its central PA, Baltimore or Seattle.

another thing that bothers me...

nightcrawler_steve said this..

Quote:
Personally I care even less for thrash, hardcore and death metal moreso than I do hip-hop or rap, but its MY CHOICE not to purchase or listen to that music if I so desire. I dont come here and get in debates or voice negative opinions on how that genre of music could be just as negative ie....burning in hell, all hail Satan, decapitating who knows what and on and on and on


actually hardcore, thrash and death metal aren't as into this as they once were - if you listen to some good hardcore bands - alot of hardcore, death and metalcore bands now stem a lot of their violent music from politics, and everyday life scenarios - it's certainly not as common for a metal band to say all hail satan as it is for an emo or punk rock band to talk about slicing their wrists or throats. - so in an actual sense, rap and hip hop which in its earliest forms tackled real issues downgraded from actual issues, to ass grabbing and crotch pulling - where as metal graduated to everyday issues in life, good examples are otep shamaya and god forbid - so all in all you're right - each genre of music has it's certain extremes.. but i still dont find any as sickening or as crippling on the morals and conscience of contemporary america than that of rap and hip hop

As I said above, I choose to be apathetic or accepting about music I dont care for. It would be a waste of your time to try to change my mind about it or argue the merits of how that music has evolved. I dont put that kind of music down or try to bash or ban it. It has its rightful place. Its just not for me...just like hip-hop/rap is not for you.

Bottom line *god Im beating a dead horse here* Dont hate, bash or ban any type of music. What possible good is going to come from it.

Thanks and good-night.

Steve

[AtoMikEnRtiA]

Atomic....

Hey my friend *said with all sincerity*. I am not trying to be right here. Thats not my point. Im trying to say that its not cool to spread hate, be so generalized and to put down or *gasp* ban a genre of music. No matter what it is or what it is saying.

I was also trying to make that point by using my personal dislike of hardcore, death metal, etc. to grab the attention of those posting hate and making generalizations. I think its a pretty safe assumption there are alot of heavy, hardcore type musicians and fans on this site (which is totally cool) Perhaps I didnt articulate it well enough. When you quoted me, you left out an important part of the quote....

Quote:
Personally I care even less for thrash, hardcore and death metal moreso than I do hip-hop or rap, but its MY CHOICE not to purchase or listen to that music if I so desire. I dont come here and get in debates or voice negative opinions on how that genre of music could be just as negative ie....burning in hell, all hail Satan, decapitating who knows what and on and on and on

What you left out is where I said, "does that sound like a massive generalization - hmmmm". Well of course it does, that was my point. Im no fool....I know that not all of that style is like that. Just like not all of hip/hop and rap is like that. And to blame that genre of music for societies problems is just rediculous. Does it affect culture and drive trends, of course, but its not the cause of societies "ills".

You make some very valid points - yes we live in a diverse culture where all forms of music are embraced and accepted, and thats' great - God bless America for being that - but the fact is, your statement is good on an idealogical sense, but it's totally in-accurate when put into practical use. No matter where you go, there is that one or 2 forms of music that are looked down upon in that specific geographical location - and as much as people hate to admit it - this reflects entirely off culture, and civilizational clashing.. examples.

Again....youre missing the point. Why hate and bash? Why cant there be acceptance. Hell even apathy. Im apathetic to music I dont care for. remember this is music...we have a choice to be affected by it. Are our egos so huge that we think we are going to change the course of the world or society with our tunes? Music is more of a "reflection" of society. It is to be enjoyed, take away some of the stress from our lives, express ideas and thoughts....help us to hook up with that girl/guy in the back of the car or on the dance floor.

so you see - culture does lead to musical preferance - and even though we may be diverse in logic, in practical use we are as selective about music as we are anything else.

Well duh....of course culture leads to preference. Again....Im not trying to make a point about anyones preference. Im stressing nobody has a right to ban anything....specifically a genre of music. And its "small minded" of someone to put down or bash another genre of music and spread hate. I dont think I can be much clearer in what Im trying to say here. And it doesnt matter if its central PA, Baltimore or Seattle.

another thing that bothers me...

nightcrawler_steve said this..

Quote:
Personally I care even less for thrash, hardcore and death metal moreso than I do hip-hop or rap, but its MY CHOICE not to purchase or listen to that music if I so desire. I dont come here and get in debates or voice negative opinions on how that genre of music could be just as negative ie....burning in hell, all hail Satan, decapitating who knows what and on and on and on


actually hardcore, thrash and death metal aren't as into this as they once were - if you listen to some good hardcore bands - alot of hardcore, death and metalcore bands now stem a lot of their violent music from politics, and everyday life scenarios - it's certainly not as common for a metal band to say all hail satan as it is for an emo or punk rock band to talk about slicing their wrists or throats. - so in an actual sense, rap and hip hop which in its earliest forms tackled real issues downgraded from actual issues, to ass grabbing and crotch pulling - where as metal graduated to everyday issues in life, good examples are otep shamaya and god forbid - so all in all you're right - each genre of music has it's certain extremes.. but i still dont find any as sickening or as crippling on the morals and conscience of contemporary america than that of rap and hip hop

As I said above, I choose to be apathetic or accepting about music I dont care for. It would be a waste of your time to try to change my mind about it or argue the merits of how that music has evolved. I dont put that kind of music down or try to bash or ban it. It has its rightful place. Its just not for me...just like hip-hop/rap is not for you.

Bottom line *god Im beating a dead horse here* Dont hate, bash or ban any type of music. What possible good is going to come from it.

Thanks and good-night.

Steve

hey steve im not trying to change your mind lol - free will is the greatest gift we have over the animals. i was just stating my side and trying to keep a debate going and everything like that, ah well lol - i gotta get back to work anyways

[bassist_25]

Steve should be given the "Awesome Rockpage Dude" award for making an insightful and positive post in a thread that's turning very negative.

Personally, I listen to all forms of music. As long as it's well-done and and the musician(s) have something important to say (or even something unimportant to say), I'll support it.

[nightcrawler_steve]

All good Mike I think I made the point I was trying to. Have a great weekend!

[Ron]

Steve, great post. You hit the nail on the head.
Our country thrives on cultural diversity. It should be embraced, not stymied.

[Banned]

There have been several statements using the words hip-hop and musicians together. Scratching records and repeating drum tracks are not a real substitute for years of learnig to play real musical instruments.

[ToonaRockGuy]

There have been several statements using the words hip-hop and musicians together. Scratching records and repeating drum tracks are not a real substitute for years of learnig to play real musical instruments.

Great post, joe. I totally agree. I've never classified rappers as musicians, simply because there is no musical talent there. I won't go to a concert to watch someone come out, push a button, and there's the music. Gah.

While I admire beatmaking (being a drummer, you really should), it takes no talent to lift a riff or a sample from someone who created it. That's why I totally admire someone like Punkinhead or SpellboundByMetal or The Grimm, who write their own music. It's a talent that I've admitted before that I lack, and I look up to anyone who has the talent to come up with a tune in their head and translate it to song form. Kudos to all original musicians. I wish I had the ability to do that, you bastards!

[YankeeRose]

I'm with the "I'm a fan of all Genres of Music" Camp. Many Pop/Rap/Hip Hop Artists are backed by not only the "scratching turntable", but by real, live Bands, that play actual Instruments, believe it or not and they have even been known to write Lyrics! Their VOICES are their Instruments. Some that I've been known to "bust a move" to? The Black Eyed Peas and Nelly. As far as playing an Instrument for years and years, just because someone does something for years and years, doesn't necessarily mean they're any good at it. A little analogy: I know plenty who have tried to Type for years and years and yet they still "hunt and peck".




You want to know what I feel is one of the problems with getting people out of their houses and into the area area Music scene? FROGGY! I went to see "The Showman", Rick Ramsey, at The White Lady Tavern yesterday evening. It's almost like the Music on Froggy is Brainwashing people and they don't know other Music exists...Froggy was on during his breaks and after Rick was done for the evening and the few tunes I heard were blase. There was one NASTY woman in particular in a Pink top..."hey lady, the late 80s, early 90s called and they want their hair style back" is the NICE thing I thought to say to her for the condescending, downright mean way in which she spoke to Rick, but I behaved myself - I could NEVER say something like that!

[no surrender]

=7

[Bit*chenWomen1029]

>>>LAUGHS<<<<<< Picturing Yankeerose busting a move ! lol

[ToonaRockGuy]

In regards to what NS wrote, I am not even going to dignify that with a direct response.

I admit, I used to like rap. Back in the day, and for the youngsters, "the day" was not 6 months ago. I'm talking about REAL rap, like LL Cool J, The Treacherous Three, Grandmaster Flash, Run-DMC, Sugar Hill Gang, and up to Doug E. Fresh, Kool Moe Dee, Big Daddy Kane, and Eric B & Rakim. And for my money, the greatest rap group of all time, Public Enemy.

My challenge with rap is simple: Do something ORIGINAL. Rap is the most popular music in America right now, and for some reason, it's not facing the same backlash as rock has had against it: Lack Of Originality.

So-called "Big Hair" music got ripped up because of the same subject matter in songs, and all the bands sounding alike. It all came to fruition with the emergence of bands like Green River, Mother Love Bone, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, and Nirvana.

Here's a summation of every f*cking rap song I've heard in the past year:

-I've got bling.
-My Escalade has 24 inch rims.
-I've got bling.
-I can fuck 45 bitches/hoes/tricks in one night.
-I've got bling.
-I sell a million records a day.
-I've got bling.
-I roll with [insert random rap posse name here]
-I've got bling.
-My record label is [insert random label name here]
-I've got bling.
-I came from the streets
-I've got bling.
-I used to have no money.
-I've got bling.
-My homie [insert random name here] got killed.
-I've got bling.





Jesus Christ, and people say that rock all sounds the same?

I respected Public Enemy because unlike 99.9999999% of the rap acts available then and today, they had something to say. I didn't always agree with the message, but at least it proved that they thought about things in an intelligent fashion. They formed intelligent opinions, and even with a clown like Flavor Flav in the mix, presented it in an intelligent fashion.

There's more to life than bling, bitches, and Escalades. Give me something to think about.

Oh, and I can't help it. Fuck 50 Cent. I'm out.

[Banned]

If there is a vote to shun ns, I'm in.



Isn't this site called ROCKpage?

And Rock has what in connection to f*ckin crap, hip-sh*t?????

[Banned]

I would also pay a large sum of money to see Kev put a hurtin on ANY crapper.. They're all just posers, only tough with guns in thier hands and lots of thier posse behind them. (basically the definition of all punk gangsters today).

[lonewolf]

First of all, from a musician's point of view, I need to impress upon you that

the lyrics in a song are nothing more than the filler between the musicians' instrument solos.

Please...never cofuse music with poetry. Taking this a step further into the context of hip-hop....never confuse bad poetry with lyrics....

I think hip-hop beats and bass-lines would make great backup for instrument solos and even for lyrics "fill" if post-adolescent poetry and cool jazz chords were used in the process. Instrument solos? Has anybody ever heard a hip-hop instrument solo? If you do, please let me know, because 9 out of 10 hip-hop beats are a drum machine and the same goes for the bass synth. There are no instrument solos because there are no instruments, per se, and therefore no musicians.

These "artists" (roll on the f'ing floor and laugh my ass off) have no more musical background than a set of air shocks on a '63 Impala. Their lyrics are even less impressive, having all the qualities of a 5th grader obscessively playing with a rhyming thesaurus.

So, remember...with hip-hop...watch for the instrument solos....

[YankeeRose]

Nowhere was it mentioned that Pop, Rap or Hip Hop have anything even remotely similar to "Instrumental Solos" in them, or that their lyrics compare in any way, shape or form to the lyrics of what I consider "real" Music, although some of them are sort of fun, especially a few of Nelly's...for Pete's sake, lighten up. What was said is that they are sometimes backed by real, live bands that play acutal instruments...much different, any rational, un-egotistic, un-argumentative PERSON would have to agree. Just one "for instance": Kanye West, appeared on SNL's season opener and for one number he was backed by a group comprised of Violinsts and Cellists...and they did actually "just play" for a while, possibly that WAS a "solo". The bottom line is, whether you like it, understand it or not, Pop, Rap and Hip Hop are fulfilling some kind of entertainment need in the world. Believe me, if I was told I'd never hear another Pop, Rap or Hip Hop tune, it wouldn't phase me in the least.

[Banned]

Did the goon rapper actually play a musical instrument??? how long has he pracitced this instrument???

the SNL bit was staged for television only.. go look at all the rap right here on Atlantic cable...there is certainly a lot of it. ...not count how many times you see a crapper playing an instrument.. go ahead......we're still waiting.....

They show thier bling, gold teeth and do a lot of crotch grabbin, but I do not see music being made. Drum tracks and record scratching are not making music.

And God help this society if that excuse for entertainment is filling a real need. This music is being shoved down our throats in the name of diversity and open-mindedness. some people are so open-minded that thier brains are falling out.

[Mistress_DB]

Gonna agree with Kevin on liking some of the old school rap. The Beastie Boys' License to Ill album is a favorite. I like some of Will Smith's stuff too. (granted not sure if you can call all of Will's stuff Rap) Queen Latifa has put out some good material as well.


I forget where I was going one day but I had a car pull up along side me in a parking lot. The girl behind the wheel was blasting this rap music at a really loud volume. Not sure of the song but the female rapper was basically saying how she wanted someone to lick her in various places on her body (some of them being a tad explict). I look back and she's got a toddler sitting in the backseat. About the age where they tend to repeat everything they hear. Not only was the volume a tad excessable for such a small child, I'd be a little worried about young missy repeating said lyrics at a very inappropriate time ( IE: middle of a church service).

Granted I still like to crank the radio in the car. I always have. But I don't think my stereo is gonna rattle the windows of the vehicle 2 cars behind me on the blvd.

[tornandfrayed]

I think that rap evolved into an outlet for people who don't posess traditional "Musical Talent". THis way the "artist" can put a lot of hateful, degrading lyrics together with a beat and some effects and get a recording deal.

The pioneers of Rap created something that was unique and new, I remember the first couple of rap recordings I heard and thinking "well this is so cut and dry that they might get three or four artists three or four recordings"

Shows you what I know!

For the record I really did not like rap back then either.

I also believe that quite a few rappers count on shock value to sell CD's. Some of the things that they gat away with saying are amazing!
And very few people seem to complain..

Peace!

[Ronnyd]

Well said,I only joked to make people laugh.
I remember when a bad boy had long hair,rode a harley, and played rock and roll.I just can't wait to see what is next.
Maybe Classical protest music.

[lonewolf]

Nowhere was it mentioned that Pop, Rap or Hip Hop have anything even remotely similar to "Instrumental Solos" in them, or that their lyrics compare in any way, shape or form to the lyrics of what I consider "real" Music, although some of them are sort of fun, especially a few of Nelly's...for Pete's sake, lighten up. What was said is that they are sometimes backed by real, live bands that play acutal instruments...much different, any rational, un-egotistic, un-argumentative PERSON would have to agree. Just one "for instance": Kanye West, appeared on SNL's season opener and for one number he was backed by a group comprised of Violinsts and Cellists...and they did actually "just play" for a while, possibly that WAS a "solo". The bottom line is, whether you like it, understand it or not, Pop, Rap and Hip Hop are fulfilling some kind of entertainment need in the world. Believe me, if I was told I'd never hear another Pop, Rap or Hip Hop tune, it wouldn't phase me in the least.

I mentioned it from a trained musician's point of view. If hip-hop is to be compared with other forms of music, to be fair, you have to look at its form and content, or lack thereof.

Yes, I agree with you that hip-hop fulfills some need...just like a syringe full of smack fulfills some need.

[BDR]

the lyrics in a song are nothing more than the filler between the musicians' instrument solos.

Being someone who plays the "vocal instrument," I have to disagree with your statement, lonewolf. Lyrics, the notes by which those lyrics are guided and the inflection used to structure those lyrics to fit the "feel" of a song, are as vital as any other part of a song. More often than not, lyrics I'm performing go "against the grain;" off-beat accent points, climbing a scale while the melody is decending, etc.

Also, I think any lyricist would argue that an important emphasis is always put on the message delivered by his or her lyrics ...

... if it were just "filler" then every song would go, "la-la-la-la-la-blah-blah-blah-blah ..." and my job would be a lot easier, because I wouldn't have to memorize any words.

r:>)