Rap

[KiyoshiAkita]

So how do you feel about rap......I can stand it to an extent, some of it is even good - mostly old-skool....I don't like hearing about being all up-in-da-club or how much "bling-bling" these guys have...I just don't understand how people like hearing angry music about how rich the artist is....some rappers even tell their fans straight-up that they don't give a f*** about them, just their money.....so, yeah, I've heard a few good rap songs....
I'd like to hear some opinions on this subject...explain why you like or dislike rap.....

[Kattywampus]

I have a feeling that the responses to come are gonna piss me off.

But I will say this.. Rap and Hip-hop.. in the beginning..  THAT was some awesome stuff!  People that strongly hate all rap music..well, something's wrong with them. I guarantee there's something that qualifies as "rap" that someone will like.  All rap doesn't sound the same.  There are many different styles and flavors.  Sadly, it all sounds mostly the same in recent days.  
There are some that stand out nicely, though, like Outkast.  They were out a long time ago and had a different style than most people that were out around that time.  They were once classified as "alternative rap" because of their non-traditional style.  People like them, The Boogiemonsters, The Pharcyde, and A Tribe Called Quest fit that same category.  Their in-house samples, mixed with westcoast flavors and at times clever and intellectual lyrics put them in this category of hiphop.  If you want to listen or try out rap that stands out above the rest, I suggest trying something by one of these aforementioned bands.

DJ Jazzy Jeff (of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince) has a new album out that I wanna hear.  His usual stuff is on the line of Hip Hop (in this case, rap-style music without the rapping) and Acid Jazz.  Search for his instrumentals and mixes for a pleasant relaxing treat.  He loves to have a lot of fun with his choice of samples, which is evident in the stuff he did with The Fresh Prince (Will Smith).

One must also remember, on the subject of rap music, where it actually comes from.  This fact should make you appreciate it even more.  
The original hip hop tracks used in rap music were created by sampling!  But this is where it almost becomes a sport-- kids would take their mom's old records and turntables, and find spots on the records where they could make the needle skip and create a loop.  When layered with a 2nd record, you could create a whole new song.  This was excellent, as a lot of kids back in those neighborhoods where rap music was born were poor and couldn't afford real instruments, but wanted to make music.  

I hope I gave y'all some food for thought.  
The next time you assume that rap music is all bling-blingin', gang-bangin', kill-whitey, screwin' hoochies, think again.  More oft than not, this music has a postitive message.  Look for some of the original stuff and study the history, and you might be in for a pleasant surprise.

I love the styles, and write my music based a lot on hip-hop and acid jazz.  I've also studied the history and written papers on the subject.  =^_^=

[Kattywampus]

Oh, there's one more thing, too.

This is the best part!

You have to have a lot of talent and be able to think quick on your feet to be a real rapper!  Anyone  can recite lines over a beat, but real rappers battle it out with wits and words.  Before there was violence in the streets, there was the rap battles.  If you didn't throw punches, you threw a rhyme.  You had to be quick with a comeback or your reputation would go down!  If you were offbeat or took too long, you lose. That's sorta like playing "The Dozens".  I wish people still settled arguments that way.  Well that, and the breakdancing crews.  ^^

There are some sites where you can listen to live streams of actual rapbattles, where people battle over the internet.   Good stuff.  That's NOT talentless.

[KiyoshiAkita]

I know someone who won't even let me play good rap on his radio, it pisses me off....He won't even give it a chance...he makes his point of view on rap from the songs that are played on the radio - you know, the ones that suck(just my opinion)....I wish there were an all-oldskool rap station in my area...
I'm glad so you stood up for the music and proved some good points...well done...you make a strong statement....but you still must agree, most rap today is all about being in the club and bling blingin and killin whitey---and the beats suck....I don't dislike alot of rap because it is rap, but because it is not tasteful....don't get me wrong, I do like rap, just not the sh*t I hear on the radio...

[Choky]

Well I liked rap since I ever heard it,what pisses me off is that I used to put rap/hiphop on and my friends all said theres nothing specially great about it,but now that rap is popular I put the same songs on from years ago and they say "wow thats great!"
 I mean,cant they think for themselfs? NOW they like it because its popular to like it,damn hipocrits(or hiphopocrits,LOL!'>.What pisses me off even more is that Spain is going through a rap/hiphop stage now,but they are all rappers that sound like 80´s rappers,with lame one liner rymes and voices so unoriginal they all sound the same.For example:My friends put a new Spanish rapper thats just come out on,and half way through say something like hes the best and noone can rap(his lame rymes) faster than he can.So I get out the Extintion level event CD from BustaRhymes(for example)and play a couple of songs where he goes all out,and they all feel so stupid.If youve only liked rap for a couple of months why do you act as if you know it all?
And no,I dont care about the in the club and bling blingin´ and Im the best and dont give a f***.I just want to hear some fast,well thought out words that ryme like hell! I dont care if its old or newskool.
Ahhhhh,that was a nice rant,I feel better now. '>
The only thing I like more than rap is rock.

P.S. If you like beatbox,check out KillaKela,hes even better than Rahzel.

EDIT:Im voting "I love it".

[Drake Blackpaw]

Quote (Kattywampus @ Oct. 02 2004, 11:30 am)

I have a feeling that the responses to come are gonna piss me off.

Perhaps you will be suprised the other way?

I love Outkast.  The stuff I've heard from them is amazing.  

While some of Eminem's songs rub me the wrong way, he is definitely a master at righting a cathy hook.  Here one of his songs and the hook stays in your head all day.

Rap concepts is making its way into other types of popular music.  Look at Korn or Limp Bizkit that mix rap with hard rock and metal.  

I voted it's ok, because it is not my favorite form of music.  However, I believe it does take a lot of talent to do and there is a few pieces of rap music that really stick in my head and stand out.

I put "some is good."
As a music fan, I'm always open to any music with integrity and craftsmanship.  Some rap songs are amazing (Kurupt - On Tha Grind ... Bone Thugz - The Crossroads)  Unless you've cruised in a car with some teenagers that have been rap fans all their lives, and you crank it up and really listen, you can't apppreciate it fully -- this is an amazing feeling.

[Adamina]

I also chose <Some is good> because, to put it plainly, some of it is just crap, and some of it actually seems like the words are a little more thought-out, and not all about either: "I'm the best" "My life sucks" or "lets all have sex and get drunk". Some of it has a little more depth to it.

[Drake Blackpaw]

Quote

I also chose <Some is good> because, to put it plainly, some of it is just crap

That can be said for any genre of music.  Unfortunately what gets radio play is often not the best and most creative of any genre.  

Quote

some of it actually seems like the words are a little more thought-out, and not all about either: "I'm the best" "My life sucks" or "lets all have sex and get drunk". Some of it has a little more depth to it.

The less thought out songs follow a formula that's popular and unfortunately does have a better chance to get air play.

When rap first started breaking into the mainstream, many of the lyrics were violent and/or overtly sexual.  But then the rap groups writing these lyrics came from very poor, high crime areas and those lyrics were a reflection of what life was for them growing up.  Even some of these sexually explicit or violent songs have artistic value as they do portray a picture of life that many of us don't see, but is too real for some in this country.  

Sir Mix-o-Lots "Baby Got Back" is an example of a sexual song that has a deeper meaning than what the words portray on the surface.  At the time he wrote that song, music and popular culture was pushing a view that physical beauty in a woman fit the slim, white body type.  His song focused on a physical feature common to African Americans that does not fit into that white slim physical profile.  He was essentially saying that I think the natural black woman's body is beautiful, when popular culture was saying it wasn't.

Today, I do believe much of the sexual and violent rap is written not to convey a message or show a slice of life, but to follow a formula known to get air play.  When rap started, there was a legitimate reason for these lyrics.  Today, I think they are there because it's what sells.

I dont like it, its crap, it used to be good but now all the music and clips are the same. I dont care that its rude.. my music taste is worse  '>  *Turns on some cradle of filth*

Hmmm, I'd have to say that I do not like the rap that's out there today ("gangsta" crap) but there's a lot of old school stuff that's pretty good. The only rap I listen to is Insane Clown Posse, though. I'm much more for rock.

[Romance Addict]

as far as hip-hop goes, i like underground. So far i like Asop Rock, but i havnt been able to find (or decifer) any other underground hip-hop artists.

turntableism is good too along with trip-hop (so i hear)

[Akira]

"Gangsta" rap on the whole simply sucks. Guys like Lil' John and teh Eastside Boys, or whatever, just no talent at all. Listen to most gangster rap and they're all the same, drinking, drugs, 'btiches', etc. What makes me laugh is that these guys "sing" about demeaning women and yet women swoon all over these guys in real life.

Underground rap, if done properly, can be acceptable, but its still nothing compared to good ska.

[KiyoshiAkita]

Quote (Akira @ Oct. 03 2004, 11:06 pm)

"Gangsta" rap on the whole simply sucks. Guys like Lil' John and teh Eastside Boys, or whatever, just no talent at all. Listen to most gangster rap and they're all the same, drinking, drugs, 'btiches', etc. What makes me laugh is that these guys "sing" about demeaning women and yet women swoon all over these guys in real life. Underground rap, if done properly, can be acceptable, but its still nothing compared to good ska.

Lol...Lil' John does suck...he sucks bad...he gives the music a bad name....and I can't understand either why all these women go for the types who are womanizing and disrespectful....I know a few people who act real bad towards women but still are considered "pimp" and hot by all the girls......alot of rap is good, just not discovered yet by the big producers and stuff to be put on the radio and advertised....and yeah, ska rocks....

Oh, and one more thing...has anybody heard eminem's new song on the radio? I think it sucked....It had a good beat and all, but it seems like he ran out of ideas on lyrics and started re-using alot of old ones.....and it seemed to 'up-in-da-club'ish to be good eminem stuff......but I'm still looking forward to the release of his next cd...I can't wait to hear all of his new stuff.....

[Rushjunkie2112]

Hey KiyoshiAkita ever heard of Bubba Sparxxx?

Talk of creative how about harmonica and fiddle in a rap song!

Yeah Bubba is from the south and his down home feeling exudes though the entire album.

http://www.bubbasparxxx.com/


Deliverance is my favorite album and "She Tried" is my favorite track.

[P_Z]

Its very very talentless. It has no melody, i dont care about what they talk about... my grandma can do better

[KiyoshiAkita]

Quote (rushjunkie @ Oct. 04 2004, 11:55 am)

Hey KiyoshiAkita ever heard of Bubba Sparxxx? Talk of creative how about harmonica and fiddle in a rap song! Yeah Bubba is from the south and his down home feeling exudes though the entire album. http://www.bubbasparxxx.com/ Deliverance is my favorite album and "She Tried" is my favorite track.

Yes, I've heard of him, but never listened to any of his music....I would probably know a few songs if I heard them....I checked out the site, but for some reason none of my media players are working so I couldn't listen to anything....I'll fix the problem and then check it out....
I've never heard a fiddle or harmonica in rap, but it sounds like an interesting concept....I have a feeling that I'm gonna like the style....

[Choky]

Quote (P_Z @ Oct. 04 2004, 5:11 pm)

my grandma can do better

Damn,your grandma must be good...any samples? '>


Hmm,yeah Eminem,I like his stuff because it normally makes me laugh,and its well put together.The latest one I heard was "My Band"(D12) the video was great,LOL!
*Adds Bubba Sparxxx to "must download soon" list* '>

[KiyoshiAkita]

Here I go again about Eminem's new song.....It sucked...the lyrics are crap.....the only thing that sounds good about it is the beat, and that's all Dre.....
But, then again, after seeing the video the song was all that much better....Eminem always has funny videos, but kinda corny.....I'm still looking forward to his next release....

[Kattywampus]

I agree about the stuff on the radio now.. 95% is horrid.
It bothers me so much..

And if you wanna hear something AWESOME, there's this Japanese group called M-flo that does some of the *BEST* hip-hop/rap you will ever hear.  They tribute all flavors of the old school.  What's really interesting about them is they speak awesome English, so a lot of their songs are half Japanese, half English.  They are very good with our slang, too.

DL "How You Like Me Now"  and "Orbit-3" and "Hands" by M-flo.
..or hell, there's really nothing by them that sucks!!

IM me if you can't find anything and I'll gladly share.

P.S.  To Lizard:  There's plenty of rap music with melody.  Too bad you haven't heard any.

[Hat-Kun]

Rap?  No.  Just completely, utterly, fully, outright no.

[Choky]

Quote (Kattywampus @ Oct. 06 2004, 8:47 pm)

there's this Japanese group called M-flo

Do you like Rip Slyme too? '>

[RavenWolf]

I hate gangsta rap. It’s pontless, all they are sing about is "banging hoes" and "busting caps in someone’s @$$”

[InertiAWolF]

I'm sorry but, I love rap.

[KiyoshiAkita]

Ok, here's what I realized.....For any of you who think ALL rap is completely talentless.......try listening to some of the R&B stuff today.....now I know it's not all bad, but still.....It's not like these r&b singers have to think quick on their feet....they don't even have to write their own songs......sometimes they don't even actually sing.....they just have to get on stage and look pretty and move their lips.......and all the songs sound the same........
Here's an example of how stupid some of these songs are...
Next - Too Close
I wonder if she could tell I’m hard right now, hmmm
Yeah, come on, dance for me baby, ha ha, yeah
Ut oh, you feel that? alright
Come on, don’t stop now
You done did it, come on, uh, yeah, alright, hold on

1 - baby when we’re grinding
I get so excited
Ooh, how I like it
I try but I can’t fight it
Oh, you’re dancing real close
Cuz it’s real, real slow
(you know what you’re doing, don’t you)
You’re making it hard for me

All the songs on you requested
You’re dancing like you’re naked
Oh, it’s almost like we’re sexing (oh yeah)
Yeah boo, I like it
No, I can’t deny it
But I know you can tell
I’m excited, oh girl

2 - step back you’re dancing kinda close
I feel a little poke coming through
On you

Now girl I know you felt it
But boo, you know I can’t help it
You know what I wanna do

Repeat 1

Baby us dancing so close
Ain’t a good idea
Cuz i’mma want you now and here
The way that you shake it on me
Makes me want you so bad sexually
Oh girl

Repeat 2

Now girl I know you felt it
But boo, you know I can’t help it
You know what I wanna do

Repeat 1

Repeat 1

I love when you shake it like that, ah, ah, ah
I see that you like it like that, oh, oh, oh
I love when you shake it like that, ah, ah, ah
I see that you like it like that, oh, oh, oh

Repeat 1 while:

I like the way you move
You’re making me want you
Oh the way you move
I like those things you do
But you’re a little too close

Repeat 1 until fade

See, the songs about getting a hard-on while dancing......how stupid.....