If you like rap or hip-hop, why is it that you like it? I'm just wondering because I'm coming from the perspective of a Classical music performance major in college, and I don't see any musical value in it.\nI'm NOT saying that there isn't any, its just that I'm not seeing it.\nOr is it more the culture that surrounds it that is attractive more so than the music itself?\nOpinions, please?\n\nThanks
213985
Why Rap??? Rap music has been around lot longer than records show. Like your lessons of classical music teach you that it is derived from that of the European culture, rap music goes back to Africa. It didn't just begin in the Bronx or evolve from reggae and rythum and blues. It began as a way of communication for African's during slavery. Think back to the sounds of Africa, that is why you hear more drums and base lines in the music. From there you can also define the sounds of rock, r&b and classic soul, reggae, pop, and lets not forget the different verieties and variantions of Latin music. \n Thanks to my parents, family, friends and the town and the many different people and cultures I grew up with, I was exposed to everything that falls under the catigory of music. From birth it was part of my daily routine. I went grew up in a proud and prominant historical town called Oyster Bay (where Billy Joel, rap artist Run/DMC and many other musicians, lawyers, dr.s, actors, including the dog from the infamous 7UP commercials in the 70's and the 80's, politicians and so called mobsters such as John Gotti Jr. have owned a home and live and the town next to Glen Cove where  singer Ashanti is from)located on northshore Long Island, NY. Music was a major part of the schools curriculum. We had music classes, everyone in 4th and 5th grade sang in the quire and I took drum and clarinet lessons. I was 8 yrs. old when Rappers Delight by the Sugar Hill Gang was on the air. It was the first rap song to go pop bach then and be played in its entirety (15 min.). Besides that I grew up reading particular magazines such as "Word Up", which focussed on what we now call the "Hip Hop" culture and I started listening to the underground radio stations and going to concerts and venues that hosted rappers at age 11. I also grew up around people who had the same interests and views of the music which lead some to venture off in that field later on in life and  thet became successful at it.\nYou can't get an understanding of rap and the hip-hop culture as a whole just from an "eye of an earshot". Like the hippies culture included rock, ect., as their way of life, with hip hop, rap is the musical preference and our way of life that the rapper speaks of is a reflection of what we hear and see and experience but not always right and exact. You have to be able to leave lots of room for the imagination. As people we are no different from anyone else. Besides it being a way of life for myself and many others, its a billion dollar business as well. How much have you studied about the culture? Are you aware of the many things that have taken place and have been done because of this culture, rap artist and moguls such as J Z, P. Diddy, Russel, Simmons, Queen Latifa? Today you are surrounded by things that represent the hip-hop culture from television ads on down. As far as musical value is concerned, not everyone is like Wycleff. Most rap artist are not the people who make the music. Enless one is trained or it is gift from God, everyone doesn't have an ear for music, or get the opportunity to play and study music. Maybe you need to spend time with someone who is part of the culture, go to and inner city school where there are teachers who use rap as a teaching tool for specific studies, or go to a studio one day to sit in on a rap session so you can see and get a better feel at what it consists of. We know the best way to be educated about anything is to get involved. With the way the world is today it is not hard to get involved in whatever your heart desires. As in other music catigories, you have artist who don't write the rap or pick the music that we later hear once it becomes a finished product. You also have to consider where the average rapper comes from. They don't have a backround in music outside of the home and church enless they attended schools (like I did) whos curriculum included music
351376
It seems that a lot of people here are a little confused.  Here's the straight answer...\n\n"Hip hop music" and "rap music" mean virtually the same thing. However, some people associate the term "rap" with the more mainstream variety of the genre (which nowadays often includes R&B or pop elements) and reserve the term "hip hop" for the variety of the genre that stays closer to the roots of hip hop music (i.e. - speaking on social and/or political issues, storytelling, bragging about one's lyrical skills while roasting another MC, etc.).\n\nBut to be really specific, hip hop itself is a culture. Rap music or hip hop music (specifically, MCing) is just one element of that culture. The other elements of the culture are graffiti, breakdancing (aka - breakin'), DJing and a more recently added element, beatboxing.
139919
Oh, my friggin god. Thank you. Maybe nobody at my school likes that kinda music, but apparently there are people out there that do. PS Rap is s*it.\nTo #12, what've you got against emo, anyways???
94942
Interesting topic. It's just a part the African American culture over exploited if I might say. I don't even have to listen to it to hear it or see it. I can walk outside and look at how some of these females dress, talk and act. I really don't need to listen to the radio or watch a video to have it shovelled into my head. I hear guys call each n***a every day all day. What amazes me about the word n***a is how they use it so freely, but get offended when a White person says it. It still holds the same meaning as it did back then. Then you have these females who under dress themselves to get attention or because they think it's cute and get offended when a guy calls them a b***h or a hoe. It's doesn't work that way. Way degrade yourself and get mad when you're called out on it? Why is ok for me to be called n***a or call you n***a but if "the man" says it, he's being racist? \n  Gangsta rap is just basically like telling a story. It's all about what's happening in the urban, ghetto community. But people get thrown back by it because they don't know about the struggles or lifestyles in these areas. What they get out of it is what is portrayed in music, videos and other media. If I was ignorant to what was going on in the world, it would seem meaningless to me too. \n  I do have to admit, being Black myself, gangsta rap can be a bit harsh, but that's the reality of the world we live in today. I grew up in the ghetto and I've only witnessed a few harsh things in that lifetime. I'm just glad to say that even though I was raised in the projects, I didn't let the environment dictate that as my way of life.
36702
HIP HOP AND RAP ARE DEFINETELY MAKING AN IMPACT NOW.  IF U LOOK AT THE COMMERCIALS ON TV SUCH AS CAR COMMERCIALS AND PHONE COMMERCIALS...THE SONGS THAT ARE PLAYING ARE HIP HOP.  ITS ABOUT TIME THAT PEOPLE RECONGNIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IT INSTEAD OF MAKING IT A RACIAL ISSUE.  IT REALLY IS AN ART FORM AND I ADMIRE EVERYONE THATS IN THAT FIELD OF WORK...HELL I WOULD LOVE TO BE AN ARTIST...HAHAHA
12371
I don't feel any music genre is better than another.  I just listen to the music if I like it then I like it whether it's rap/hip hop/rock/country/gospel/classical/folk etc....
539482
"if hip-hop should die before i wake, i'll put an extended clip inside of my AK/ \nRoll to every station murder the DJ, Roll to every station murder the DJ." \n-Nas "Hip Hop is Dead" \n\nhttp://www.nobodysmiling.com/hiphop/promotional_audio/86873.php               Go here\n\n\nYou awnswerd my question and thanks again
649888
When I began reading your details, all I could do was imagine it in Riley's voice. Sorry. \n\nI don't pay much attention to hip-hop on the radio these days, so I'm pretty much unable to answer this question. \n\nBut from what I have heard lately, I must say you raise an interesting question.
154809
The issue about music is a couple of days sermon on its own so im gonna try and condense it into a few words. please bear with me.Music is not just music. its about the spirit behind music.Whatever music u listen to the spirit of the person where the music originated from follows the music wherever it goes(see Davids example from the Bible 1 Samuel 16: the spirit departed from Saul because David had the Spirit of God within him which he played through the harp into Saul causing the evil spirit in Saul to leave since darkness and light cannot mix).So listening to music can open u up to spirit(s) that it is carrying.\n Also music is a form of worship to God and we all know how the devil tries to copy or at least pervert everything God does because the devil wants to be God. The devil was originally an angel of music til pride set in and then he was kicked out of heaven.(a word of advice stay away from pride dont praise yourself coz once u do u tend to lose focus on the fact that God gave u ALL you are) The devil didnt lose the gifts or talents he was created with so he uses those things to pervert  whatever he can. Now the devil knows that Christians still like entertainment and the devil intends to be worshipped whatever way he can so he cunningly infiltrated the music industry and will make you believe that anything goes as long as it has good lyrics. See i dont know where rap started from but i know half the time u cant hear what their singing anyway so they could say good stuff run thru bad stuff and youd neva know. The Bible says we should abstain from all appearance from evil(1 thessalonians 5:22).Rap appears evil- its hard to tell Christian rap from  secular rap if the two are just similar then shouldnt we stay away anyway. I definitely know about hip hop that it is a no no coz u will find that the form of music was started by people who claimed there was no God and that the black man was God. The spirit that started the music still hasnt left the music.It has just modified itself so it could appeal to more people. the devil will deceive u any way he can so dont think just because the lyrics sound right then all is well. Disclaimer i am not saying all the people writing Christian rap, hiphop, rock or whatever other kinds of music are not right i am saying the spirit behind the music isnt right.\n\n whether u know the truth or not the truth stil remains the truth. i hope this truth will set someone free. u dont have to take my word for this music thing. Go to God and ask that the Holy Spirit will tell you Himself more about this music issue.When Jesus was going to the Father after His ressurrection He promised to send us the Holy spirit to be our helper.(John 14:25-27) If u ask that He helps you , u will find that anytime whatever music is played your spirit man within will either be disturbed or be at peace. Also ask for the gift of discernment(1 Corinthians 12:9-11) that u may grow in this respect and live to please our Father in heaven. Take care y'all and may God bless you. with love. P
422176
i've only heard it very briefly on TV for a promo it was HELLLLLLA annoying!\nwhy does it seem that rap music these days are biting off of children's music?  it's so unoriginal and retarded.  i love rap & hip-hop, but this is just pathetic!
401898
You aren't crazy - with all the garbage that's being pumped on the radio stations its hard to find a genre that's good. I stick with RnB 70's - 80's and I  love some jazz. I only listen to hip hop underground ( Taleb Kwele - Dwele - Papoose etc.) and like Rock from the 80's. I have a guilty pleasure for the bee gees. :)
619393
That is exactly why I don't listen to mainstream music. I'm in highschool, and it really ticks me off when i hear kids blasting degreating crap from cd players, cars, ipods, etc. I think it's really sad that those songs make billboard, and get awards. They are apart of the giant drop in society. If you think it's funny to hear those types of lyrics, you're sick. I know what you mean totally. And i'm not just saying this because I was brainwashed by parents, church, school. I am a non-christian, freespirited, girl with hippie parents who don't force me to not listen to stuff like that. It's totally my opinion.  I wish someone would start a boycott or something. Thanks for posting this question!
605770
Well for me it's the beat and the lyrics. That is what will grab my attention. Now I don't listen to rap with alot of vulgar language in it or that is degrading in any way. \n\nMost people I know like rap because they can really relate to it and the lyrics behind the story. Hope that clarifies any questions.
558866
That is a very good question.  My guess in general, because American Youth is uninspired, lazy, unoriginal and so desperate to fit in that they cant think or feel for themselves.  Hip Hop was great back in the day…days.. many many many many days ago.  I think the term the 'kids' like to throw around now is "old school".  But I think it’s like a lot of music out there that starts out pure and good and ends up going from T-Rex to Motley Crue.      \n\nI have several friends who like the stuff and there is nothing wrong with them..well, there is definitely something wrong with a few of them but that’s another topic for another day.  \n\nI fear it’s here to stay and as long as I don’t have to be subjected to it, let the lambs have their muzak.  Problem with that is, all the clubs are playing it.  I don’t know if DJ’s now feel obligated to play it or if they to have lost all their originality as well.
605725
I don't hate rap (and I'm a 60+ grandmother).  What I don't like is the profanity; the use of the "n" word; the "dissing" of women & police; the encouragement of drug and alcohol use; and the need to play it (as well as other popular music) so loud that my walls vibrate when you drive past.\n\nThe ability to string words together that stay true to the beat, rhyme, and make sense amazes me.  Listening to a rapper is like listening to stories told by the grandmother around the fire circle long, long ago.
487730
Because back in the Grandmaster Flash days and then in the Beastie boys days it was all about hip hop music.  Now it's all about bling and money not the meaning of rap and hip hop.  It is really ashame.
664048
I hate rap.  I'm a country fan. I also like listening to some rock, but rap just seems to be not as full of talent.  People are talking to a beat.  I don't mean to offend anyone, that's just my personal preference.