01/23/04: A GOOD argument

Posted By: KingDylan


It's a shame that the people defending the rap music are very ignorant themselves and have no argument, and eventually worsen the image of the everyday rap fan.

Yes, I enjoy rap "music". Yes, I'm here to defend it properly. Firstly, the only rap group I would consider a "band" is The Roots and others like them, because YES, they play their own instruments, live, and everything. So, they are a BAND. Secondly, the generalization of rap music into ONE category is possibly the worst thing you can do. That's like combining the grunge styles of Nirvana back in the early 90's with the likes of Poison and Twisted Sister back in the 80's. You just can't even compare. The "Rap" music you hear nowadays is POP music... not rap. Originally, rap emerged because of it's pro-black culture messages in the lyrics, telling black kids to be proud and do something with their life, instead of idolizing the drug- dealers and "ghetto heros" that they were exposed to.

What rap music has come to nowadays is exactly what rap originally was trying to get away from. Ignorant rappers such as 50 cent and Fabolous glorify the hatred and expose white kids to this lifestyle. For some reason out of my knowledge, this is what makes them rich and they get commended for this bullshit. If you haven't figured it out by now, i HATE rap/pop music that I hear nowadays ... I agree that it's NOISE... and not Music.

But, being a fan of the hip hop yesteryear, I feel it's my duty to defend it. Producers and rap artists USED to use live instruments for studio recordings (some still do, ie. DJ Quik, Outkast, myself) but now seem to rely on sonic originality, rather than musical originality.

As for the lack of talent, I would like to argue this, since everyone seems to think they can write rhymes. Many musicians (not just rappers) do not have as much talent as they do showmanship. For example, Bob Dylan, he's NOT a good singer, but he can write crazy lyrics, and his voice is unique. now think of 50 Cent... He Can't write lyrics, BUT his voice and his flow is unique (not necessarily "good") ... but it's different, and therefore stands out. It's like this with any music... People occasionally like to hear what they haven't heard before. Why do you think Snoop Doggy Dogg made it big? He's got nothing to say, lyrically, but his voice and his flow stood out from the rest.

That, in itself, is a form of Natural Talent, and you can't argue with me there.

Thirdly, you can't ever say that rap is not music... because MUSIC is the art of combining SOUNDS to form organized, usually (not always) harmonious arrangements ...

regardless of whether it is Synthesized (from a keyboard, which is still an instrument, since it is PLAYED like a Piano) or not.

If you don't understand what I'm trying to say or argue here, please don't hesitate to email me.

Rap isn't the only music that is played loud and obnoxiously. I felt I had to write because I find your comments illogical and without research. Maybe if you had more knowledge on the subject you were critisizing, I would have respected your comments a little more.

Pride for being white? I read it somewhere in the previous posts ... Should you really be proud of what you've done to the other races and the rest of the world? Just because white people had the resources to be technologically advanced before the other races, does that mean we should take over their country's and kill most of them? Maybe THAT'S why black people have a nack for starting new musical styles before white people, because they have respect and love. Oh yah, if you didn't know, black people invented rock and country... along with the obvious, Jazz, Blues, Hip Hop, Soul, Dance, Funk... So yes, white people, be proud that you invented Classical music. Oh, and I almost forgot the Waltz. Sorry.

Could you please open your mind a little, maybe accept the fact that white people like the music for different reasons than you may see. Same with the reason why black people make it.

By the way, I honestly hope that you're saying these things just to get on some ignorant peoples nerves... and really, I have to admit, the state of rap music today makes me angrier than you do, so it's almost okay, because I've learned to accept the stupidity of people on this planet.

I'm not trying to change your mind about anything, I'm just hoping to remind you to keep your mind open before you start ripping apart things you know very little about.

Have a great day

Peace

King Dylan

by the way, I'm white.... if it makes a difference


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