Hip-Hop and Rap: What are your thoughts?

[Goofguy]

Can't spell crap without the rap.

And you can't spell smother without the mother.

Don't forget, you can't spell manslaughter without laughter!

On topic, I've never particularly been a fan of the genre. I like the percussion and the rhythm at times but by and large, I just can't abide by the lyrical content.

 

[deleted_by_strongbad]

my thoughts: Knowing nothing in life but to be legit...

Anyways, like EVERY genre there is a lot of good and a lot of bad here is a small bit of the good:

Snoop (who doesn't love snoop. liar.)
Wu-Tang
Non-Prophets
GM Grimm
Wu-Tang (chessboxin gets them a second listing)

There is a lot lot more, go look for it.

 

[Joshimodo]

More than any other genre of music, hip-hop suffers from colossal volumes of pricks with no talent or investment in their craft beyond bragging or getting money. Well, aside from pop music itself, which is nothing but manufactured tripe.



There ARE some decent bits and pieces, but it's nothing particularly incredible. Frankly, the best parts of rap and hip-hop are the humorous ones.



Check out Clutch - Careful With That Mic. Puts things into perspective a little.

 

[PissOffRoth]

Undeniably so, but forcing everyone in a 40m radius to listen to your choice of music still makes you a dick.

So does living in a first world country, considering every bit of your consumption comes at the price of the blood, sweat and tears of someone in a third world country.

That doesn't justify the fact that the ENTIRE CAR is resonating headache inducing sound waves that can be heard/felt over three blocks away.
Sacrificing the "full" experience is alright if you spare everyone around you the pains of having to listen to: BOOM BOOM BOOOOM BOOOM!!!! for the duration of the drive.

If you don't like urban noise, you should move to a rural area. What isn't bass will be construction, crowds, and an endless sea of motors so long as you're in a city.

And one person's "noise" is another's art. Would you hate someone's sidewalk art for making you cross the street instead? If so, please relocate yourself to a grey, cement, artless box, for you must hate the subject passionately so.

 

[webby]

I figured I would pick some of the quotes that I took most umbrage with or that simply entertained me and try to get through as many points as I can.

hip and rap: oh look some people using crap around them to rhyme... oh look a song about bitches and hos. oh this ones about drugs. another about bitches and hos. THIS ones about some stupid thing where they repeat the same lines over and over... i could write better lyrics in my sleep. one about losing your man...girl...(insert person here)... one about a man BEATING a girl... oh hey an abusive girl. drugs. bitches and hos. getting drunk. getting drunk. getting drunk. getting drunk. getting CRUNK. bad english, bad english, bad english, bad english... gang sign gang sign gang sign.

so no, i dont hate rap and hip hop. i DESPISE it. the whole culture it sparked is SO asinine and testosterone driven it makes me sick.

You seem to be taking a very narrow view of rap and hip hop and by only rolling with stereotypes I can denigrate any form of music. Things like Nu/death metal is just someone screaming into a microphone whilst someone hits every drum possible without much of a rhythm, punk is just people pogoing and spitting on each other, classic metal is just nonsense cover art and overly elaborate guitar solos.

Don't judge something until you have a firm understanding of it, I have a large hip hop/rap collection and with very few exceptions none involve beating a woman or basically any of what you just said.

Let me put it this way...

The absolute worst stuff from the 80's is better than all of the rap and hip hop in the world combined.

Unless we are talking the stuff Wierd Al does. I like him.

As a huge fan of stuff from the 80s and 90s I can almost see where you're coming from. Sadly though you forget just how many dross bands were left at the wayside to create the classics that we know of now. Every decade has is classics, using hindsight to pick them out isn't really the best way to do this. Lets not forget that at the time The Archies beat out The Beatles and the Rolling Stones to the number 1 spot though. Give it time and the cream will rise.

I'm not a big fan of either but my view is this.

Rap - Nursery rhymes with swearing and references to money, guns and bitches.

Hip-Hop - An actual music genre, personal I consider Hip-Hop to have a few good songs and it is essential rap without the chauvinistic wankers
E.G. - Rapper's Delight by The Suger Hill Gang despite having rapping is a Hip-Hop song.

I don't know where the perception that rap is simple came from. It isn't simply a matter of putting a single syllable rhyme at the end of every line. It's complex multi syllable rhymes that occur throughout the lines to give the verse transitions and allow it to flow. Keeping a syllable count so that every transition is smooth. Then, whilst doing all this portraying a story or narrative with said tight constraints. Sure, not everyone manages it which is why you get things like Soulja Boi.

Check out different groups and expand your horizons people:
Aesop Rock has incredibly lyrical depth once you get the knack for understanding what the hell he's on about (it isn't random non sequiturs as some believe)
Immortal Technique is a very politically driven person who is also excellent at story telling
Sage Francis adds a very real emotional edge to whatever he puts out there
Apathy hits you with more rhymes per line that I thought was physically possible
Madlib uses odd instrument combinations to create rhythms that get stuck in your head forever and you're happy about it

Basically, don't judge something based on the songs from that genre you dislike, actively seek out songs from that genre you do. You will develop a much deeper appreciation of the method that way. I didn't really like punk, but then I got hooked on the Ramones, didn't really like rock, things like The Who, Led Zep etc showed me the way, Metal, Maiden, speed metal was DragonForce. You get the idea. Don't get stuck with a preconceived idea of what a genre is then only listen to things that back up that stereotype, branch out and explore! To put it in gaming terms, if you hate "brown shooters" or "CoD Clones" do you write off the entirity of FPS's or do you seek out the Bioshocks and Half Lifes of this world?

Although regardless of what I listen to, death/nu metal still sucks and is just people screaming and making noise, calling it music is an affront to all that is right in this world.

 

[Jasper Jeffs]

There's a lot of ignorance shrouding it, people really should say "the majority of rappers I hear are autotuned morons rapping about money, bitches and bling", people seem to forget the very important "I hear" part though and assume everyone is like what they hear on the radio or on MTV.

I like you. You talk about things you understand fully instead of throwing in worthless two cents. I'm an advocate of underground rap, been into Rhymesayers and their affiliations for some time now, and I've been enjoying Common Market, Busdriver, and Cubbiebear lately. You have any recommendations on artists you think deserve more spread than they get?

Haha, you too! Rhymesayers are dope. I swear I'm gonna move to Minneapolis someday, everything seems to be there. I've not listened to Busdriver, been meaning to for a while now, Cubbie & Common Market are both quality, no idea how many times I've listened to The Rape. I recommend Oddjobs, Insight (or any other of his collabs; ShinSight Trio, Y Society, Soloplexus), Educated Consumers and Genelec & Memphis Reigns.

Spoiler

<youtube=edPFCQjeWtc>

That's a random Oddjobs track, they're one of my favorite groups, it makes me sad seeing artists not get the attention they should. You got any to recommend, or should I really just go listen to Busdriver?

 

[Daddy Go Bot]

my thoughts: Knowing nothing in life but to be legit...

Anyways, like EVERY genre there is a lot of good and a lot of bad here is a small bit of the good:

Snoop (who doesn't love snoop. liar.)
Wu-Tang
Non-Prophets
GM Grimm
Wu-Tang (chessboxin gets them a second listing)

There is a lot lot more, go look for it.

Aside from Snoop (Who's only made 1 good album and somehow managed to remain utter shit ever since) I just wanna point out the fact that you actually know of GM Grimm is literally the coolest thing I've seen here on the escapist forums.

 

[LiberalSquirrel]

Damn man your asking for it

I like the old school


The new stuff is just mostly bout hos and money.

Thank you. I just heard this song in Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, and I haven't been able to get it out of my head since. But I didn't even know what it was called.

OT: I like some hip-hop and some rap, and I dislike some. Just like any other genre. Kid Cudi is rapper I rather adore, and I haven't seen mentioned yet...

Spoiler: Pursuit of Happiness

 

[infohippie]

Can't stand any of it myself. Hate the sound, hate the imagery, hate all the performers I know anything about.

 

[PissOffRoth]

That's a random Oddjobs track, they're one of my favorite groups, it makes me sad seeing artists not get the attention they should. You got any to recommend, or should I really just go listen to Busdriver?

Don't got much other than what I mentioned. Been pretty hard-pressed for music lately. Computer crashes, data loss, and iTunes updates. Summer's gonna be my months for exploration, so I'm saving that list for after exams. And yes, Busdriver is insane. His style is odd, but he's undoubtedly a talented spitter.

 

[clipse15]

Can't spell crap without the rap.

And you can't spell smother without the mother.

Don't forget, you can't spell manslaughter without laughter!

On topic, I've never particularly been a fan of the genre. I like the percussion and the rhythm at times but by and large, I just can't abide by the lyrical content.

This argument never made sense to me.

Violent Movies? Totally fine.
Violent Games? Way acceptable.
Violent Music? Travesty

 

[Hollock]

I like alternative rap. But like all music it's really hard to find actual good stuff

 

[redlueliger]

Here in Minneapolis, Rhymesayers (especially Atmosphere) are legendary. The only times I'll listen to rap is if it's being performed by a Rhymesayers artist/group (especially Atmosphere) or as a Gorillaz crossover. That should say something about them.

 

[Andothul]

I think about 80% of rap and hip hop is trash
but every once in awhile there is a deep or talented artist that
reminds me that it is a valid and often poetic way of making music out of words

 

[Konaerix]

Undeniably so, but forcing everyone in a 40m radius to listen to your choice of music still makes you a dick.

So does living in a first world country, considering every bit of your consumption comes at the price of the blood, sweat and tears of someone in a third world country.

That doesn't justify the fact that the ENTIRE CAR is resonating headache inducing sound waves that can be heard/felt over three blocks away.
Sacrificing the "full" experience is alright if you spare everyone around you the pains of having to listen to: BOOM BOOM BOOOOM BOOOM!!!! for the duration of the drive.

If you don't like urban noise, you should move to a rural area. What isn't bass will be construction, crowds, and an endless sea of motors so long as you're in a city.

And one person's "noise" is another's art. Would you hate someone's sidewalk art for making you cross the street instead? If so, please relocate yourself to a grey, cement, artless box, for you must hate the subject passionately so.

Are you telling me to change my life simply because some jerk is being inconsiderate to others around him?
Also, I have yet to hear any kind of construction, crowd, or motor that makes a noise that feels like someone is pounding my head with a sledge hammer.
While music is art, and rap/hiphop is undeniably music, no other form of "art" is so disruptive. Sidewalk art can be simply turned away from, the same can be done with movies, games, or books. Most music is like this as well. Just plug your ears or something of the like. Not rap/hiphop, the amount of bass cannot be drowned out be plugging your ears nor can it be stopped by anything other then TURNING DOWN THE BASS. Just to reiterate, I don't truly hate Hiphop or rap, I hate the disturbances and effects it causes.

 

[Jasper Jeffs]

That's a random Oddjobs track, they're one of my favorite groups, it makes me sad seeing artists not get the attention they should. You got any to recommend, or should I really just go listen to Busdriver?

Don't got much other than what I mentioned. Been pretty hard-pressed for music lately. Computer crashes, data loss, and iTunes updates. Summer's gonna be my months for exploration, so I'm saving that list for after exams. And yes, Busdriver is insane. His style is odd, but he's undoubtedly a talented spitter.

I always identify him with Imaginary Places off Tony Hawk haha. I'll definitely pick some of his stuff up.

Here's my contribution:

Spoiler: The Coup

That was fucking funky, definitely getting this groups album(s) as well. It's bittersweet sleeping on albums, I miss them when they come out (which kinda sucks) but now my ears are in for some long awaited awesome.

 

[CptShiv]

same as everything else: 90% is crap, 10% isn't.

 

[Nautical Honors Society]

I am a big hip-hop fan (rap is just a part of hip-hop they are one in the same not two different entities), but as with all things some is great and some is crap.

 

[Goofguy]

On topic, I've never particularly been a fan of the genre. I like the percussion and the rhythm at times but by and large, I just can't abide by the lyrical content.

This argument never made sense to me.

Violent Movies? Totally fine.
Violent Games? Way acceptable.
Violent Music? Travesty

Pray tell, where did I mention that I didn't like the lyrical content because of its violence? Also, I wouldn't consider it an argument as I'm not trying to refute someone else's point. It is a question of taste. I do not care much for the lyrical content and its delivery. While many rappers are skilled artists in their own right, it's not MY kind of music. Does that mean I ask my friends to change the rap/hip-hop music they're playing in their car while I'm riding shotgun? No, it just means I don't have any of it on my own iPod.

 

[lwm3398]

The world forgets Tupac and we aren't getting another one, so this discussion is null. If you want a direct answer, it's because the mainstream is polluted.

Why are you mad about Rhymesayers being the one main defense for rap and hip-hop if they're not mainstream, not polluted, and come very close to Tupac's level of meaningfulness in their lyrics? Besides, they aren't the only example. K'naan, Citizen Cope, Nas, Jedi Mind Tricks are others. All of those are non-mainstream artists that aren't on the Rhymesayers label (Scratch that, Jedi Mind Tricks may or may not be, pardon my ignorance) that can be used as examples of good rap and hip-hop.

Besides, it's not about what the genre really is, because it's not Lil' Wayne and Soulja Boy and that whole group isn't a part of the rap genre. The problem is, people perceive them as rappers, when really they're just pop artists with even less originality.

I think that's my problem. The perception of what rap is, and that people perceive rap as something much worse than what it is, when what they're listening to is just spoken pop with a lot of bass.