An Observation Regarding Rap

[Mon Rominee]

Yes, but the bigger underlying issue, as posed by Aug, is that many youth cannot give a real reason behind WHY they like it.

Sure, some get whatever message is being promoted, however banal or worthwhile it may be, but others simply cannot get beyond "the beat is bangin" or "He's hot". And this is the majority. I find that kinda pathetic.

Add to that trite, insipid self-stylings and ego-centric ranting, and it all equates to not alot of substance.

Again, I refer to the most commercial of offerings, not the whole of the genre. I would hate to be the real innovator in a genre completely overlooked because of some idiot with the latest Chrysler offering and most bangin ho yuckin and muggin on the screen preening about absolutely nothing.

Same, again, as it ever was. Pick a genre. exploit it, give it a 6 month shelf life, move on. Thank you fickle, led like sheep public.

Mon

 

[willgroove2]

Has anyone out their actually worked on making a rap song/album. It’s not that easy! I have seen guys that could play a turntable like a violin. Yes I said play. I have worked with rappers that had way more vision for their music than some of the bands that I have worked with and recorded. The music is not always my cup of tea but I can definitely appreciate the work and feeling put into the tunes. For anyone out there that likes to write off this form of music as easy, sampled s$#t lets hear your album? And how many copies did it sell?

By the way-I like to think of Bob Dylan as the godfather of rap. James Brown too.

I work with rappers all the time and and some of the misconceptions and outdated facts expressed in this thread are amazing to me.it's always interesting to me when people who live in contemporay times have very little knowlege of popular culture.for me,in my personal taste in music,miles davis is just as importent as rakim or james jamerson to me so i might be a little more opened minded about things.no genre of music is easy to do well if you don't know anything about it.

 

[Wrong Robot]

Yes, but the bigger underlying issue, as posed by Aug, is that many youth cannot give a real reason behind WHY they like it.

Sure, some get whatever message is being promoted, however banal or worthwhile it may be, but others simply cannot get beyond "the beat is bangin"

What a ridiculous thing to say. If the 'beat is banging', it's good music that is enjoyable to listen to. That's reason enough to listen to it.

Not every music has to be deep and meaningful, not every music has to be meaningless. If it sounds good, then it is good.

 

[Mon Rominee]

Sorry I don't find that terribly ridiculous. Agree to disagree then?

 

[Rick Brienzo]

Yes, but the bigger underlying issue, as posed by Aug, is that many youth cannot give a real reason behind WHY they like it.

Sure, some get whatever message is being promoted, however banal or worthwhile it may be, but others simply cannot get beyond "the beat is bangin" or "He's hot". And this is the majority. I find that kinda pathetic.

Add to that trite, insipid self-stylings and ego-centric ranting, and it all equates to not alot of substance.

Again, I refer to the most commercial of offerings, not the whole of the genre. I would hate to be the real innovator in a genre completely overlooked because of some idiot with the latest Chrysler offering and most bangin ho yuckin and muggin on the screen preening about absolutely nothing.

Same, again, as it ever was. Pick a genre. exploit it, give it a 6 month shelf life, move on. Thank you fickle, led like sheep public.

Mon

We could of had this same conversation when Elvis came out.

 

[Wrong Robot]

I'll go and hide now.
AuG

Wow. You don't honestly call yourself a musician do you? Just checking.

 

[Mon Rominee]

Hence, my repeated "same as it ever was" comment.

Sorry to have shared my take on it.

 

[Wrong Robot]

Sorry I don't find that terribly ridiculous. Agree to disagree then?

I dunno. you're trying to say that listening to music on the basis that it is enjoyable to listen to is not a valid enough reason to listen to music. That's pretty damn ridiculous.

 

[cheezewiz]

Wow. You don't honestly call yourself a musician do you? Just checking.

And you don't honestly represent yourself as being open minded and tolerant of others views, do you? Just checking.

 

[Mon Rominee]

No, I'm not really saying that at all. I'm not looking for enlightenment with my listenning tastes either, but I am looking for more than just a beat. Sorry to have put you off. Was not the intent.

 

[willgroove2]

Yes, but the bigger underlying issue, as posed by Aug, is that many youth cannot give a real reason behind WHY they like it.

Sure, some get whatever message is being promoted, however banal or worthwhile it may be, but others simply cannot get beyond "the beat is bangin" or "He's hot". And this is the majority. I find that kinda pathetic.

Add to that trite, insipid self-stylings and ego-centric ranting, and it all equates to not alot of substance.

Again, I refer to the most commercial of offerings, not the whole of the genre. I would hate to be the real innovator in a genre completely overlooked because of some idiot with the latest Chrysler offering and most bangin ho yuckin and muggin on the screen preening about absolutely nothing.

Same, again, as it ever was. Pick a genre. exploit it, give it a 6 month shelf life, move on. Thank you fickle, led like sheep public.

Mon

kanye west on his new CD has a song called "crack music" that uses the addictive quality of crack cocaine as a comparison for the addictive quality's of rap music."I like the beat" or "I think that guy/girl who sings that song is hot" is why 80% of people like music anyway these day IMO

 

[Wrong Robot]

And you don't honestly represent yourself as being open minded and tolerant of others views, do you? Just checking.

No, I don't, where'd you get that idea?

 

[cheezewiz]

No, I don't, where'd you get that idea?

Alrighty then. At least you are honest about it.

 

[AuG]

Wow. You don't honestly call yourself a musician do you? Just checking.

Get out da way, get out da way, MOOOOOOVE!


An outstanding piece of musicianship if I do say so myself.

No, normally I don't call myself a musician. I'm not that conceited. Maybe a student of music, but I'm no musician.

AuG

 

[Wrong Robot]

No, I'm not really saying that at all. I'm not looking for enlightenment with my listenning tastes either, but I am looking for more than just a beat. Sorry to have put you off. Was not the intent.

Yes, that is fine and dandy *FOR YOU*. If that's what you're looking for, then go look for it. Knock yourself out, I couldn't care less. But your statements were disqualifying anyone who appreciates rap music for having a nice beat. Marginalizing enjoyment found there, which is... ridiculous.

 

[Wrong Robot]

Get out da way, get out da way, MOOOOOOVE!


An outstanding piece of musicianship if I do say so myself.

No, normally I don't call myself a musician. I'm not that conceited. Maybe a student of music, but I'm no musician.

AuG

Ya, didn't think so. It's risky business calling yourself a musician, then you gotta start appreciating all music. gasp.

 

[cheezewiz]

Ya, didn't think so. It's risky business calling yourself a musician, then you gotta start appreciating all music. gasp.

Wow. A new level of condescension. Even for you.

 

[Wrong Robot]

Wow. A new level of condescension. Even for you.

Obviously I'm just jibing around. But to be serious. I think that if you want to call yourself a musician, you have to recognize the value in all music, not just what you like. I think the ability listen to anything, without ego or pretense, is where a musician ought to be. That's just my opinion though. I don't think I'm a musician either.

There are musics I don't listen to, but that doesn't mean I won't listen to them. If I don't listen to something, it's solely based on the music, and it won't stop me from listening to something else in the same genre.

 

[cheezewiz]

Obviously I'm just jibing around. But to be serious. I think that if you want to call yourself a musician, you have to recognize the value in all music, not just what you like. I think to be able to listen to anything, without ego or pretense, is where a musician ought to be. That's just my opinion though. I don't think I'm a musician either.

Don't you think it is possible to appreciate the talent that goes into a genre of music, and still not like it? I'd be the first to admit I can't rap. I'd be the first to admit there are those that can. I don't like to listen to it. Tell me, do you listen to much classic country? I don't either, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate it.

 

[Wrong Robot]

Don't you think it is possible to appreciate the talent that goes into a genre of music, and still not like it? I'd be the first to admit I can't rap. I'd be the first to admit there are those that can. I don't like to listen to it. Tell me, do you listen to much classic country? I don't either, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate it.

Yes, it is of course possible! But AuG's post was going out of his way to devalue any shred of appreciation one might find in rap music, which, to me, is pointless and mildly offensive.

I love american folk music, Appalachians stuff, mountain music, bluegrass. It's good stuff. That's kinda like classic country isn't it?