Opinions on Rap Music

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

TC and the rest of OFWGKTA eh??? I gave them a listen...I know he's not rap, but you ever listen to Frank Ocean?? cuz he's technically part of OF...Also, the internet is a little group within OF that I recently heard music from

Yeah I love Frank Ocean. Frank Ocean and The Weeknd are two of my favorite artists in all of music right now. I'll listen to anything Odd Future except for The Internet which I thought was really bad.

 

[returnofthemack]

Totally overlooked Dr. Dre (but I did say NWA), definitely Nas and Big L. And as far as Lil Wayne, I actually have a few of his songs. He started off strong but became more and more absorbed in his giggling jester persona and he's devolved into finding a catchy beat and dropping a few one-liners. There's very little depth to his songs. I love seeing the rap appreciation on this site though!

 

[returnofthemack]

To add to that list: "Break (AOTL)" "That Power" "Hero" "Do Ya Like" "Not Going Back"

I love "That Power". It's probably the only song I have on my Ipod with a monologue that long. It was a really good album. If you guys watch Community (before NBC stupidly took it off the air), check out Troy and Abed's christmas music video, it's hilarious.

 

[SaltyND24]

Yeah I love Frank Ocean. Frank Ocean and The Weeknd are two of my favorite artists in all of music right now. I'll listen to anything Odd Future except for The Internet which I thought was really bad.

Oh man, I actually found it to be kinda refreshing...in comparison to the style of the rest of OF...I think the album needed focus...seemed all over the place at times but I think there's room for improvement.

 

[SaltyND24]

I love "That Power". It's probably the only song I have on my Ipod with a monologue that long. It was a really good album. If you guys watch Community (before NBC stupidly took it off the air), check out Troy and Abed's christmas music video, it's hilarious.

Don't even get me started on that subject...I think NBC failed when they pulled Community and kept Whitney...EPIC FAIL

 

[Pachuco]

My defense of rap music or any other form of artistic expression is to discourage others from talking **** if they don't know. It's really as simple as that. Seemingly intelligent people look really ignorant when generalizing about subjects that have much broader implications than what the surface tends to reveal. With that said, it's usually a wise thing to expand your mind and investigate further when something frustrating shackles your potential for a much fuller perspective (i.e. TRobinson). Or not . . . believe what you want. Just be prepared and hopefully receptive when someone who knows gut checks your ego.

 

[BobD]

Please no hating, you asked for our opinion and this is mine. Remember I'm old.

I wouldn't define rap as music. Rap depresses me. When I see or hear young kids dressing like, talking like or trying to act like the rappers on TV, it makes me sad.

I'm sure my feelings for rap aren't to far away from the feelings my parents had, seeing me with long hair, red eyes and AC/DC blaring from the record player.

 

[tadman95]

Please no hating, you asked for our opinion and this is mine. Remember I'm old.

I wouldn't define rap as music. Rap depresses me. When I see or hear young kids dressing like, talking like or trying to act like the rappers on TV, it makes me sad.

I'm sure my feelings for rap aren't to far away from the feelings my parents had, seeing me with long hair, red eyes and AC/DC blaring from the record player.

Well BobD, if we ever meet and have a beer, we won't have to argue what's on the jukebox. Er, uh, well, Ipod I guess. I'll have to buy one though. LOL

 

[notredomer23]

TC and the rest of OFWGKTA eh??? I gave them a listen...I know he's not rap, but you ever listen to Frank Ocean?? cuz he's technically part of OF...Also, the internet is a little group within OF that I recently heard music from

if you like OF and TC you need to watch this video..Its hilarious. And they are getting a show on cartoon network next year apparently called Odd Future

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aYrOjbdxRkU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

A Day in Ladera

 

[BobD]

Well OMM, if we ever meet and have a beer, we won't have to argue what's on the jukebox. Er, uh, well, Ipod I guess. I'll have to buy one though. LOL

OMM? I'm not THAT old!

 

[ACamp1900]

My defense of rap music or any other form of artistic expression is to discourage others from talking **** if they don't know. It's really as simple as that. Seemingly intelligent people look really ignorant when generalizing about subjects that have much broader implications than what the surface tends to reveal. With that said, it's usually a wise thing to expand your mind and investigate further when something frustrating shackles your potential for a much fuller perspective (i.e. TRobinson). Or not . . . believe what you want. Just be prepared and hopefully receptive when someone who knows gut checks your ego.

And how do you know others are ignorant... Simply because they don't like something or that theyn dont agree with you then that means they don't know what they're talking about?... An opinion was asked for. And growing up listening mainly to hiphop and having friends who still exclusively like rap, I know plenty, and stand by my original post... Kind of sounds like you're doing exactly what you're complaining about to be honest

 

[IrishLax]

Lil Wayne, soulja boy, and some other rappers today are absolute crap. I don't really like drake too much either. One of the better rappers and most underrated today is far and away j cole. I like some of the new stuff, but I mostly listen to 80s and 90s gangster rap like nwa and wu tang clan. 90s rappers like biggie, tupac and nas are the greatest of all time.

Currently all I listen to is the game, j cole, and some skrillex(not rap at all for those that don't know)

You and I need to grab a beer sometime. At ND we even named our bookstore basketball team after the Wu Tang Clan.

As for Skrillex, I was actually just introduced to them last night by a former roommate who is a big fan of techno/house music/dubstep and all of those kinds of genres. Not sure what I think of them yet... the music video was kinda terrifying.

 

[woolybug25]

if you like OF and TC you need to watch this video..Its hilarious. And they are getting a show on cartoon network next year apparently called Odd Future

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aYrOjbdxRkU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

A Day in Ladera

Nice. That starts with "because these f@ggot @ss ni***'s cant find a f*cking intro" and then fake fight with the background chant of "burn that f*cking weed"....

So let me get this right... if a kid decided to tweet this, he would be vilified and have his character assassinated. But because they are "musicians", we find it funny and they will get a show on Comedy Network. That's great... because we need more kids using terms like "f@ggot a$$ N!gg*r", the the world's vocabulary simply does not include enough "f*cks".

 

[IrishLion]

First Post!

Now that that's out of the way, I think rap music these days is like watching a funny movie: it can be entertaining, sound good and be enjoyable, but there are some things from the content that you just shouldn't repeat to your mother.

I enjoy Lupe because even when the studios are telling him what to put in his record (like Lasers), he still pushed and said things throughout the album that actually had meaning. The funny part is, I don't even agree with half of the things he says/believes, but I will support any artist who wants to start an intelligent conversation in a genre where such conversations are becoming more and more rare. That's not to say that I won't listen to Lil Wayne and Kanye, because they can have catchy beats and whatnot, but I also know the difference between meaningless rambling that sounds good and actual good, intelligent verse.

 

[IrishMoore1]

Please no hating, you asked for our opinion and this is mine. Remember I'm old.

I wouldn't define rap as music. Rap depresses me. When I see or hear young kids dressing like, talking like or trying to act like the rappers on TV, it makes me sad.

I'm sure my feelings for rap aren't to far away from the feelings my parents had, seeing me with long hair, red eyes and AC/DC blaring from the record player.

Somebody get BobD's rap game up. He's totally right about a lot of these rappers today, but there are many others who do express real music and meaningful stuff. There's so many places he could start, but I suggest 2Pac.

 

[Pachuco]

And how do you know others are ignorant... Simply because they don't like something or that theyn dont agree with you then that means they don't know what they're talking about?... An opinion was asked for. And growing up listening mainly to hiphop and having friends who still exclusively like rap, I know plenty, and stand by my original post... Kind of sounds like you're doing exactly what you're complaining about to be honest

First of all, I apologize if you found yourself offended in any way. I was not purposefully headhunting, but rather, passionately defending a genre of music that has been mislabeled more times than I care to write. I tried to make this mischaracterization applicable to any art form really.

My intention was not to judge or misjudge your personal experience with rap music, but rather to discourage broad generalizations about the genre. With that said, I stand by the idea that an opinion can be sorely undeveloped, and for that matter, open to criticism from someone with a more nuanced understanding. I wish that opinions were treated casually, but unfortunately, they often equate to serious business and are taken as gospel truth without further investigation. I get schooled all the time, and I'm glad for it.

When making a statement like "rap music is destroying America" (or something to that affect), it's insulting to those artists/people who are working hard to overcome negative stereotypes by expressing themselves through rap/hip-hop. As far as I'm concerned, "being in the know" is simply having some basic sensitivity to the broader impact of an artform before leveling generalizations. With that said, I don't have all the answers or harbor a secret knowledge, but I can see how my original post came off as smug. That's not cool.

So, in retrospect, thanks, ACamp, for challenging me to express myself more clearly. And with that .... a peace treaty from one barrio to another. Catch the break at 1:46:

Incredible Bongo Band - Apache - YouTube

 

[notredomer23]

Nice. That starts with "because these f@ggot @ss ni***'s cant find a f*cking intro" and then fake fight with the background chant of "burn that f*cking weed"....

So let me get this right... if a kid decided to tweet this, he would be vilified and have his character assassinated. But because they are "musicians", we find it funny and they will get a show on Comedy Network. That's great... because we need more kids using terms like "f@ggot a$$ N!gg*r", the the world's vocabulary simply does not include enough "f*cks".

and the whole thing is a complete joke... they are not gangster at all.

 

[woolybug25]

and the whole thing is a complete joke... they are not gangster at all.

but that is "gangsta", correct?

That is my point.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

I go thru stages of music taste. Even at my older age (42) training MMA with younger fighters I hear alot of rap....some of it is pretty bad saying some bad stuff however, when i was younger we had our versions of those same lyrics.

 

[dshans]

Early Rap:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aGmAmJFUvzM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Without the frenetic tempo.

 

[ACamp1900]

First of all, I apologize if you found yourself offended in any way. I was not purposefully headhunting, but rather, passionately defending a genre of music that has been mislabeled more times than I care to write. I tried to make this mischaracterization applicable as gospel truth without further investigation. I get schooled all

Incredible Bongo Band - Apache - YouTube

Cool, I was the only one who agreed with trev when you posted so I felt I too should clarify... Opinions are just that and mine is that it's not that comparable to musical genres that require much more talent and like most modern music, but more than any, it is adding to our moral decline. Just my thoughts. Enjoy your music

 

[military_irish]

Cool, I was the only one who agreed with trev when you posted so I felt I too should clarify... Opinions are just that and mine is that it's not that comparable to musical genres that require much more talent and like most modern music, but more than any, it is adding to our moral decline. Just my thoughts. Enjoy your music

Not to hop in the middle of anything but I honestly don't see how an genre of music can contribute to moral decline. I have great parents, neither one of high society but raised me great. I have listened to every genre of music from Garth Brooks to Easy-E to Slipknot to Waka Flocka etc. I have never committed any criminal act unless underage drinking is counted.

I served my country with pride and never once loss my sense of morality.

I have 7 brother all of which listen to every genre, including rap. Of all of them only one of them have a felony and that was when he was a teenager, he is currently in his 30's.

In the end I believe blaming any media outlet is a cop out for not having the right guidance from parents.

Just my humble opinion and I respect yours and anyone else's. Just thought I would throw that out there.

 

[ACamp1900]

Not to hop in the middle of anything but I honestly don't see how an genre of music can contribute to moral decline. I have great parents, neither one of high society but raised me great. I have listened to every genre of music from Garth Brooks to Easy-E to Slipknot to Waka Flocka etc. I have never committed any criminal act unless underage drinking is counted.

I served my country with pride and never once loss my sense of morality.

I have 7 brother all of which listen to every genre, including rap. Of all of them only one of them have a felony and that was when he was a teenager, he is currently in his 30's.

In the end I believe blaming any media outlet is a cop out for not having the right guidance from parents.

Just my humble opinion and I respect yours and anyone else's. Just thought I would throw that out there.

Parents are the biggest factor. As a former grade school teacher I see that. But I also see a lot more. And that is where factors like movies and music come in. I personally don't see how one can say it doesn't have a negative impact.

 

[military_irish]

Parents are the biggest factor. As a former grade school teacher I see that. But I also see a lot more. And that is where factors like movies and music come in. I personally don't see how one can say it doesn't have a negative impact.

I am not going to act naive and say there is absolutely no effect at all. But if we attempted to act out of line because of a song or movie our parents would step in and correct us on the spot.

In the end I personally feel the parents are number one at raising their children but in the same breath I personally know of kids who had no guidance that would be influenced by a song or music. That is not the rapper/singer's fault though.

 

[ACamp1900]

I am not going to act naive and say there is absolutely no effect at all. But if we attempted to act out of line because of a song or movie our parents would step in and correct us on the spot.

In the end I personally feel the parents are number one at raising their children but in the same breath I personally know of kids who had no guidance that would be influenced by a song or music. That is not the rapper/singer's fault though.

Agree for the most part

 

[Redbar]

Every brand of music has its good and bad. I do like rap, but I can't stand most rap/hip-hop on the radio and charts (Drake, lil wayne, etc.). If you want to hear great rap, listen to atmosphere, lupe fiasco (first two albums) and talib kweli

Yep, see you showed the minnesota emcee some love. Underground hip hop is night and day different from radio rap.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

if you like OF and TC you need to watch this video..Its hilarious. And they are getting a show on cartoon network next year apparently called Odd Future

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aYrOjbdxRkU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

A Day in Ladera

Yeah that video was awesome. The show is going to be called Loiter Squad and it's just Tyler, Jasper, Taco, and L-Boy. It might be good. I'm more excited for the Odd Future Tape Vol. 2, Wolf, Numbers, and Mellowhigh right now.

 

[Junkhead]

I liked NWA, Ice Cube, Too $hort, etc, back in high school. Grew out of it into a metalhead, where I have stayed.

 

[TDHeysus]

rap isnt destroying america....but the problem lies with kids listening to Rap and believeing that its all true and then try to live their lives by what they heard in a rap song.

Kids listening to Rap who are not able to distinguish truth from reality may be destroying america, but I dont think rap itself is.

I liked NWA, Ice Cube, Too $hort, etc, back in high school. Grew out of it into a metalhead, where I have stayed.

I was a metalhead as well (still am), then I was introduced to rap and Bob Marley in the mid's 80's...back then rap was about what everyone saw in their own neighborhood. Nowadays rap is about "look how many bitches i got", "look how much money i got", "I'm the greatest rapper/gangster that ever walked the planet" .....its all me, me, me, me...look at me

 

[no.1IrishFan]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DnozjvY8WGw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I just moved to Phoenix from Brooklyn, 6 blocks from where Biggie grew up. Bed-Stuy BOYEEEEEEEEEEEEE!