Opinion of Rap Music

[Space Cadet]

What do you think of rap music?

[EightOh]

I think rap is a lot like most genres. Some of it is good, some of it is crap.

Wow, that was awesome... I think I should become a lyricist. Or... not.

Still, I like a lot of rap music and artists, and then there are some that I don't like. The end.

[Outlander00]

Man, lets hope this turn into a "rap-bashing" thread...

I've listened to rap since I've been 8, when my brother brought home a Run-DMC tape, so I am the first to say that rap has been a great great genre of music, as well as bringing new aspects to our culture as well as addressing issues. Turn-tabling and rhyming are not only skills, but art forms in certain cases.

However, rap has been too commercialized (thanks to Puffy [or whatever the hell he wants to call himself these days], Cash Money, and No Limit) and quality has taken a back seat to quantity. Its sad when good artists are outsold by crap (like Nelly), or an underground artist cannot get a leg up because record companies cant "sell his/her image". Some underground artist prefer NOT to go for commercial stardom because they do not want to deal with the record companies (for example, a friend of mine from college had many offers but turned them down because he was affraid to "sell out").

Ed Lover said when Jam Master Jay died, that "rap had died" when he passed on. I feel that rap has been dieing for a while. However, there are a few that do keep the torch going and until the quality comes back to the form, I'll be listening to those few.

[Space Cadet]

Originally posted by Outlander00
Man, lets hope this turn into a "rap-bashing" thread...

I've listened to rap since I've been 8, when my brother brought home a Run-DMC tape, so I am the first to say that rap has been a great great genre of music, as well as bringing new aspects to our culture as well as addressing issues. Turn-tabling and rhyming are not only skills, but art forms in certain cases.

However, rap has been too commercialized (thanks to Puffy [or whatever the hell he wants to call himself these days], Cash Money, and No Limit) and quality has taken a back seat to quantity. Its sad when good artists are outsold by crap (like Nelly), or an underground artist cannot get a leg up because record companies cant "sell his/her image". Some underground artist prefer NOT to go for commercial stardom because they do not want to deal with the record companies (for example, a friend of mine from college had many offers but turned them down because he was affraid to "sell out").

Ed Lover said when Jam Master Jay died, that "rap had died" when he passed on. I feel that rap has been dieing for a while. However, there are a few that do keep the torch going and until the quality comes back to the form, I'll be listening to those few.

Is Kriss Kross part of the "quality" rap genre?

[Zechs]

Originally posted by SSJ Gohan 64
Is Kriss Kross part of the "quality" rap genre?

I'm not quite sure about that one. I like old school rap back when it ment something. Now it all about bling bling, what cars you drive and how many women you can have and f@#%. I've tried to get into rap music and try and find good music like the old days but so far I'm it been hard to find. I've even tried to look at rap videos but I just can't seem to get past the crap they spew and the women dressed like whores so no I really hate the rap they sell now. I see it as nothing more than another fad over run by sell outs who rather than make art they make crap to make money.

[James]

Depends how it's used and by who by. I like it as a tool to diversify a song - I think it's a great tool. Not keen when it's used in an atypical way. Occasionally I'll hear a 'rap' song which I really like, but no as a genre it's not my favourite.

I think it can go great with singing though! I used to love the early hybrid mix of faithnomore with metal, strong singing and violent rap. Made for a great, fresh sound!

[Mynd Hed]

I haven't heard any rap on the radio or seen any rap on MTV that I've enjoyed in a LONG time. But then, I could say that for almost any genre of music.

However, I enjoy Cypress Hill, the X-ecutioners, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, De la Soul, Prince Paul, and anything even remotely connected with Dan the Automator.

In other words, mostly stuff that's not precisely underground (especially in the case of Cypress Hill, which has a huge following), but doesn't tend to get much airplay. I hate stuff like Puff Daddy (I refuse to use his silly new name) and Nelly. Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and that sort of thing are okay, but I don't like them as much as the guys I mentioned above.

[Barb Gordon]

All in all I don't like it very much. There are a few rap songs I actually do enjoy, but in general I, personally, find no point to it. But it is another generation of music, we've got loads of them. And some people are never going to like the new music that's out. It's just not my cup of tea.

~Barb

[David Lucas]

However, I enjoy Cypress Hill, the X-ecutioners, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, De la Soul, Prince Paul, and anything even remotely connected with Dan the Automator.

My friend, you have incredible taste in music.

So few people have actually heard of Del The Funkee Homosapien. All I need to tell them to get them hooked is, "He was the guy that guest starred in Gorillaz's, "Clint Eastwood".

But the Dan the Automator Remix of Sapien's "If You Must" is one of my favorite songs. Good choices my friend, and to those that have never heard any of Del's stuff, CHECK IT OUT.

I mean, he's Cube's cousin for goddsake. Cube is one of the greatest rap artist-turned-actors I've seen so far. Barbeshop was wonderful.

[Mynd Hed]

So few people have actually heard of Del The Funkee Homosapien. All I need to tell them to get them hooked is, "He was the guy that guest starred in Gorillaz's, "Clint Eastwood".

That is, in fact, just about exactly how I got hooked on Del's work. I bought the Gorillaz' self-titled and realized that I only liked the hip-hop songs, not the other ones. So later on a friend tells me, "Hey, I just heard this thing called Deltron 3030, it's a side project by Del tha Funkee Homosapien and Dan the Automator from the Gorillaz." Well, I knew I had to get my hands on it, and the rest is, as they say, history.
In fact, I just picked up "Both Sides of the Brain" today. I held off on it for a while because a friend of mine (the music manager at my work) told me she didn't like Del's solo stuff as much as his work with the Gorillaz and Deltron. But I had a Best Buy gift certificate (an Xmas present) to use, so I figured what the heck. I was pleasantly surprised to find that, based on my first listen through it, I actually like "Both Sides of the Brain" better than Deltron and the Gorillaz in many respects. I plan on scoring Del's other solo albums as soon as possible.

I'm a little new to the world of rap, as I have only just recently discovered that there's stuff out there that's WAY better than the stuff they play on the radio and MTV. Used to be the only rap I listened to was Cypress Hill, and that had a little more to do with the subjec matter than their talent, if you get my drift. (Not saying they're not talented, although there's better stuff out there.)

Anyway, I definitely recommend anything by Del or Dan the Automator to anyone who's looking for some quality rap. Especially Deltron 3030's self-titled, if you like the Gorillaz' hip-hop side, you're guaranteed to love it. It has a very similar sound due to the fact that not only do both Del and Dan work on it, but Damon Albarn (the dude from Blur who is also in the Gorillaz) guest stars on a couple of tracks as well. However, while the Gorillaz, for the most part, are just fun trippy party tunes with no real message, Deltron 3030 is a concept album that tells a story laced with social commentary, intelligent insight, and mucho sci-fi pop culture references. (The Matrix, Ghost in the Shell, Star Wars, and Transformers, among others, all get homaged.) (-:
Any time Dan and Del combine forces they come up with pure gold, and Deltron 3030 is perhaps their best work together, owing in part to the fact that they add DJ Kid Koala's turntable skills to the mix. The album just oozes over with more talent than they know what to do with.

Well, that's enough Deltron plugging for one day, heh heh heh. (-:

I also just picked up Dan the Automator's "Wanna Buy a Monkey?" today, but I haven't gotten the chance to give it a listen quite yet.

[Patrick Bateman]

Personally, I hate it. Nothing against it or those who do like it, but my ears just don't take to it. I like music to have singing, and a melodic sound, and I just don't get that out of rap. All I hear is guys yelling over a synthicized drum beat. It annoys me like the neighbor's dog that barks all night. Same effect on me.

[Chris Sanders MSX]

I like rap but it's not what it used to be, i find myself listening to it now more so for the beats than lyrics. I listen to battle rappers and underround cats for taht stuff mostly. People who were good artists back in day have tried to conform to that single formula or fall into fads and they have become just as bad as some of teh new stuff. Example. LL Cool J. I used to like this guys style and then he coems out with this new album withs oem of the stupidest songs I've ever heard. Listen to his latest single, Paradise. I litterally laugh when ever I hear this song. "GIRRL..AWW GIRLL, I JUS' WANA ROCK YA WORL" is what he says in the middle of the song. It's just sad to see what he is compared what he was.

Then too many rappers follow a formula. It's I have money, I spent my money on this, I like girls, I'm doing this to the girl, I'm describing the girl, I 'm telling/convincing the girl to cheat on her husband/boyfriend for me. And that's pretty much all the songs. And then when they try to be original we get songs like Nelly's Air..I mean Err Force Ones. Which is different but too stupid to be given the credit.

At least some rappers like Jay-Z can stray from that type of thing, His latest Album The gift & The Curse is perfect because one disc is fill of party songs the other pure flowing like only Jay can do it. Eminem is another example of good rap, The Roots, Twaileb(sp?) has a new album out and he's always brought quality. Mos Def and even Ludacris who while he does follow that formula above he doesn't take him self serious, and he's funny too and you gotta respect that. On that same side of the coin Red & Meth are two rappers with originality skills and comedic timing.

A great rap album is N.E.R.D's In search Of. I've had it for a year and I listen to it everyday , the songs never get old and they use Live instruments. So I can never complain.

Kris Kross came back for one album which they which was really nothing but sexual fluff. They were quality when they were kids but when they made that short lived comeback they kind of discredited themselves. But then again Jermaine DuPri wrote all there stuff .

A lot of the songs in rap now suck, it's just the beats/background music is so good people don't care. I always hear from my friends. "This song would suck if itw asn't for the beat". And it's always true. That's why I like when rappers beacuse it's one of the few times the words you spit take center stage. Like Benzino vs Eminem. We all know Eminem's gonna win because he was raised as a battle rapper but after listening to "Die another day" you can see that he actually took tiem to write this stuff. Unlike his other rhymes which all in a word suck. He actually got at Em a little bit but in his response Em reminded us why he is who he is.


Rap is a good genre but you gotta pick and choose who you listen to and why. Want fun and skill but little content try Busta Rhymes or ludacris. Want straight rap try Eminem, Jay-Z or Nas. Want some stuff that will get you thinking, try Mos Def or The Roots. Just to name a few.

[Bartak123]

Originally posted by Barb Gordon
All in all I don't like it very much. There are a few rap songs I actually do enjoy, but in general I, personally, find no point to it.
~Barb

Hate to go offtopic, but does music ever have a point ?
Should rap have a point to it? Does it matter?

In my opinion, rap has to be held to higher standards when it comes to lyrics, since thats was rap is. It is pure lyrics, like reading poetry out loud.

[Outlander00]

At least some rappers like Jay-Z can stray from that type of thing, His latest Album The gift & The Curse is perfect because one disc is fill of party songs the other pure flowing like only Jay can do it. Eminem is another example of good rap, The Roots, Twaileb(sp?) has a new album out and he's always brought quality. Mos Def and even Ludacris who while he does follow that formula above he doesn't take him self serious, and he's funny too and you gotta respect that. On that same side of the coin Red & Meth are two rappers with originality skills and comedic timing.

Its Talib Kwali, Chris

I think you and I have the same sentiment. There are not too many rappers out there that take it seriously anymore, even those who are considered part of the old school (like L.L.). There are others, like Jurassic 5, Black Eyed Peas, Slum Village, Xzibit (despite him having that formula, he still shows his skill and lyricism), 50 Cent, De La, Dell (both whom someone already mentioned), Common (Chris, youre from Chicago and dont give him any love? )... And others that are great at what they do but hardly get any play anymore, or never did in the beginning. And its sad, especially those of us who grew up in the middle of the good stuff, because the art form and culture has become a shell of its former self.

Im starting to get into Nas again (I wasnt feeling him after because of his 3rd and 4th discs) because some of the tracks on Stillmatic and his new disc.

Jay-Z is funny, becuse he has gone through so many changes in persona that he doesnt know what he wants to be anymore (either the party and "bling-bling"ing rapper we have come to know, or the guy who brought out Reasonable Doubt).

[James]

Originally posted by Bartak123
It is pure lyrics, like reading poetry out loud.

But that is what all lyrics are, surely - poetry to music?

Another band that uses rap but isn't classified is The Bloodhound Gang - some very clever - if gross - rhymes and image constructions there. Again and example of the verbal skill being used in a genre which isn't considered rap music and as I said, I think for me that's where it works best.

[Outlander00]

Originally posted by SJJ
But that is what all lyrics are, surely - poetry to music?

It is more complicated than that, but to put it simply... yes. But it takes talent to do it because youre combining the element of poetry, which in certain cases, takes a certain amount of talent to read outloud due to the pantameters of the poem, and setting it to a beat or instrumental like singers have to do. There are certain mechanics to follow and its not as easy as it sounds. It takes a certain amount of skill and intelligence to do it in a way that people will get into.

Also, there are those who can (and, sometimes, do it regularly on their albums) freestyle, which adds the element of thinking quickly of lyrics, while following a pantameter, WHILE doing it to music you have not already accustomed to. Those who can do it the best (currently) are Common, Eminem, Xzibit, Jay-Z, Beanie Siegel (which I would wish he would put out another album), Mos Def, Talib Kwali, and KRS-One to name a few (there more, I assure you).

[Space Cadet]

Originally posted by Chris Sanders MSX

Kris Kross came back for one album which they which was really nothing but sexual fluff. They were quality when they were kids but when they made that short lived comeback they kind of discredited themselves. But then again Jermaine DuPri wrote all there stuff .

Heh, their "Jump, Jump" and "I Missed Tha Bus" was pretty good for them.

[JDuncan]

Rap is just a bunch of clicks and whistles.
There are some good rappers out there, though. Like MC Chris and Three Times One Minus One.

[Beat]

I love rap. But these days, it's harder to find people who actually rap about something. That's why I listen to more and more old-school stuff lately.

[mbaker]

Originally posted by Zechs
I'm not quite sure about that one. I like old school rap back when it ment something. Now it all about bling bling, what cars you drive and how many women you can have and f@#%. I've tried to get into rap music and try and find good music like the old days but so far I'm it been hard to find. I've even tried to look at rap videos but I just can't seem to get past the crap they spew and the women dressed like whores so no I really hate the rap they sell now. I see it as nothing more than another fad over run by sell outs who rather than make art they make crap to make money.

I agree, Zechs. I now see rap as an over used fad run by sell outs who would rather get payed for making crap. Rap was interesting in the late 80's, and early 90's, but when punks like Nelly. 2 Putz, P. *****, Feminem, Snoop Doggy Doo came along, I switched to classic rock, and anime techno.