Another thread started by our resident Lard Boy, CriscoKidd tried to differentiate the differences between what John Rocker said and what Allen Iverson's rap conveys. Also why is it that rappers/entertainers get away with murder while Rocker can't get away with it. I was in the grocery store today and coincidentally ran into an issue of Newsweek magazine some of you may want to pick up. The main story in it is entitled "The Rap on Rap". There are some really hard-hitting quotes from the Godfathers of Rap such as Chuck D and Ice-T. I started listening to rap music right after the Sugar Hill Gang brought out "Rapper's Delight" way back when. For the most part I think it's taken a turn for the worst over the past 10 or so years. You used to be able to listen to rap music and laugh your tail off because it was entertaining and funny. It rarely got really raunchy. Nowadays there's no rapper with the exception of perhaps Will Smith (and I'm sure I'm not exaggerating much there) that has consistently put out anything popular that wasn't based on violence or foul language. There are several really good quotes from the industry in the article; rappers from the past and present. If anybody's interested, check the article out online : http://www.msnbc.com/news/470610.asp ------------------ I got nothin'.
I don't want to get back on the double standard issue so I'll leave it alone. However I do agree with you DoD. Rap used to be a fun way of expressing yourself and tackling sensitive issues, but these days every other rapper talks about how much money he makes, how much platinum he wears, how many ho's he's banging, and right back to how much money he makes. I mean it's like they are following a cooking recipe...add part money, ho's, jewlery and fast cars and stir. At least back in the day(man I sound old!!) when a rapper referenced murder, racism, and violence there usually was a message behind it, but not these days. Rap in the new millenium is totally manufactured. They've figured out what sells and continue to shove the same crap down our throats. I guess that is why there is very little rap I like today. I read the article...some good stuff there and alot of bull$hit. Makes me want to go make my own manufactured rap album. I think I'd stay away from the $100,000 platinum smile though. ------------------ Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and pimp-slap the mother****** upside the head!
Anyone ever listened to..... Whitesnake: "Slide it in", "Love Hunter", "Spit it Out" or Guns 'n Roses: "Mr. Brownstone", "It's So Easy", "My Michelle" or AC/DC: "Can I Sit Next to You Girl", "Little Lover", "Squealer", "Love at First Feel" or Eric Clapton: "Cocaine" or the Beatles: "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" or Jerry Lee Lewis: "Big Legged Women", "Great Balls of Fire" or Metallica: "Green Hell", "Last Caress" (these were "covers" though) or any country song dealing with drinking. Don't single out "rap" for just doing what other music genres have done in the past. I don't particularly like rap so much nowadays. But, I used to like NWA, and they were just as violent as anything out there today. I have no problem with these guys singing about stuff they see everyday. ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem. DREAMer's Rocket Page
DREAMer, I do not understand the Beatles reference. If you are thinking the L.S.D. rumor, then you are wrong. It actually came from a drawing John's son, Julian, did when he was in kindergarden - the song essential explains it - the title that Julian had written was, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds." As far as the state of rap, I have no interest. I think, regardless of the lyrics, the music is just not as good. I like the "old school" rap because that is what grew up hearing, but I also like the rap from the early 90's that is more artistic - more jazzy (often with real jazz musicians). All that other crap annoys me. ------------------ Talking to a dead hare about art
Rap is a legitimate genre that arose out of something necessary in the African American community - communication. Maybe some of us don't care for what they talk about in rap but it is part of the culture. John Denver can sing about the Rocky Mountains and Willie Nelson about Texas, but let a rap guy sing about the 'hood and everyone goes nuts. We may not want to see it but rappers have performed and continue to perform a valuable service - telling us what we don't want to hear about the African American communities. It is uncomfortable but that is the nature of music. I don't know much about rap as a genre despite my many years of listening to and playing music. I do know that rap and hip hop have influenced popular music to the degree that nearly every drum or music loop you hear, every funky vocal effect and every scratch is the direct result of rappers who did it before the guys in Limp Bizkit were potty trained. ------------------ Save Our Rockets and Comets SaveOurRockets.com
Dreamer, Don't get me wrong, I'm not singling out rap. It just happens to be the one genre I listen to that I think has devolved, and it started with NWA (at least in the mainstream). I don't listen to rock/hard rock/classic rock for the most part, so I couldn't comment on that. My whole point was not that "only rap is degrading" or "rap is the worst form of degredation of human existence", but rather use it as an example. ------------------ I got nothin'.
Good points Jeff, and I tend to agree with all of them, but my question is the following : Rappers tend to say that this lets people know what's going on in the hood. I can agree with that. However, has it come to a point where it has stopped being a form of "environmental expression" and is doing nothing more than perpetuating false myths and beliefs of African Americans? I listen to a lot of rap - both past and present. To me there have only been a few rap groups I can honestly say made me think about society and what's going on in the hood. Among them, KRS ONE & Boogie Down Productions, Public Enemy, Consolidated (a white group no-less!), Paris, some Tupac, and X-Clan. When I hear what I hear today, I just think about the music, the beat, etc. The commercialization has taken away from any message. For those of you listening to rap music today, can you think of anyone that gets tons of airplay that makes you actually think and not just bounce your head? Erykah Badu comes to mind, and she's not even "rap". What bothers me the most is the glorification of killing, murder, rape, etc. by people saying they're trying to educate others. They never say that what they're singing about is wrong, per se, but somehow kids are supposed to arrive at that conclusion. Well, I'm not sure that's the right way to present knowledge. I think it's nothing more than a crutch to sell records. Gangsta hip hop is hot right now and it's what sells. Most of these guys are trying to act tough to sell records -- period. The days of BDP and Public Enemy seem to be gone and now we have the sons of NWA - the pimps and murderers of the next generation. Anyway, just observations that irk me... comment at will... blast me at will... I'm willing to listen and learn. ------------------ I got nothin'. [This message has been edited by Dr of Dunk (edited October 07, 2000).]
