I've studied music for five years including a degree.DJ_DEnM said:snip
As long as a piece of audio art contains either melody (tones which differ in pitch) or rhythm (tones which have a timing structure) it is music.
Regardless of what anyone else thinks, it is music, whether you personally enjoy it or not is a separate discussion.
What constitutes fine music (as in fine art) is of great debate, however the consensus seems to be that like all art forms it is down to expression, the artists being able to express something which could not be expressed through any other medium, something that resonates with us as a species. This is probably where the argument lies, a lot of people state that unless music meets the fine art criteria it is not music, which is far from true. However it is often this non fine art that is celebrated amongst the uninitiated, same as any art form, what sells the most is deemed the best whereas that is rarely the case. I am not one for bashing something due to it's popularity and will defend every persons right to express themselves, but you don't need to buy into the idea that there is a right and wrong in art, it's whatever you like that is right, that is it.
plus if you wanna hear dub step (which was created in my hometown like 5 years ago) which is a little different there is plenty of variety outside the mainstream