Poll: Hip-Hop/R&B/Rap Music. Does it Suck?

[Lolcano]

I hate how they just talk about bangin' hoes and shooting peeps. Isn't that degrading women by referring to them as hoes that you can just have sex with because you are a rapper? Normally if the song has a serious message(not killing people, not banging hoes) like war or peace I will listen to it.

 

[Worr Monger]

Is Rap even still around?

I CAN'T STAND R&B or Hip Hop.... it's everywhere, TV shows, events... anywhere you go.. and it all sounds so similar... I'm sick of hearing it, and I don't like the "artists" who perform it.

I can honestly say I miss Rap... I'm talking late 80's early 90's rap. I hated it back in the day... but now I miss it, I prefer it over Hip-Hop and R&B. Enough of that Justin Timberlate, Kanye West, etc. crap.

Rap isn't a genre, it's a technique used in hip-hop...

Naw.. it's definitely a genre... you know, back in the 80 and early 90's.... Dr. Dre.. Snoop Dog... Run DMC.. Tupac.. House of Pain... etc. (I don't have a lot of examples) but it was definitely not the Hip-Hop garbage we have today. Or were you not around then?

Although I will admit... they try to implement it into today's music... but it's not the same.

 

[fedpayne]

I hate rap. I like DMX.
I loath Hip-Hop. I love Outkast.
I despise newer R&B. I dig Gnarls Barkley.

There always seems to be an exception, but overall, not my cup of tea.

Haha, you know Gorillaz are essentially alt hip-hop, too?

EDIT: Also, hip-hop is fantastic. My particular favourites are Lupe Fiasco, NWA and Grandmaster Flash.

 

[-Orgasmatron-]

Naw.. it's definitely a genre... you know, back in the 80 and early 90's.... Dr. Dre.. Snoop Dog... Run DMC.. Tupac.. House of Pain... etc. (I don't have a lot of examples) but it was definitely not the Hip-Hop garbage we have today. Or were you not around then?

Although I will admit... they try to implement it into today's music... but it's not the same.

Okay, but all the artists you just mentioned perform hip-hop, in which they rap. Rage Against The Machine rap and they are a rock band.

It's fair enough calling it rap because alot of people do, but saying hip-hop sucks, rap was better, is silly.

 

[xChevelle24]

Ok then... where to start...

First off, I'm a rap fan. I can instantly see a problem with the question- why lump RnB with Rap? RnB hasn't been any good since Kells hung his mic up. Anyway, without further ado, let's get educating people!

I just want to know what some people's views are personally, I cannot stand that music i think it is horrid no originality. It is a bunch of repeted lyrics and bass. But some might like it.

It's a bunch of repeated lyrics and bass? The repeated lyrics are what's known as a "Hook", or what's known to the wider world as a "chorus". The idea is to give a song a catchy or memorable hook, that way the listener finds themselves familiar with the track the first time they hear it. The repeated bass is what's known as a "beat" (which can mean the combination of percussion, bassline, keys and any other components of that particular beat), and makes sure that the song flows well. Suprisingly, both of these are present in almost any music (presuming that it has both vocals and an instrumental), so to say that rap is unoriginal because of this is to say that all music is unoriginal.

DJ's take a hell of a lot of slack here- "Hey, you're not doing anything yourself, you're taking someone else's work and messing with it". Yeah, that's true, but to be able to "mess with it" and make it into a piece of music that makes sense to the ear, it takes a lot of talent. On to the next student...

Yes. All 3 of those genres in the title are complete and utter garbage. It is just a bunch of "ghetto" black people who grew up, probably in suburbs, claiming they grew up on the streets and making raps about the following:

- their dicks
- their cars
- their "bitches" "sluts" "hoes"
- their TV's
- their "homies"
- their houses
- their money
- their airplanes
- their shoes, shoelaces, soles of their shoes
- sex
- killing
- killing police officers

Anything I missed? Now, if you think that talking to a computer generated beat with the concept of rhyme is music, I encourage you to find the nearest skyscraper, and jump off.

In my honest opinion, ANYONE, who is given time, can write down words that rhyme.

Now, there is a fair bit there that I disagree with, but I'm going to go from the top down. The genre of music that you have discribed there is not "rap", it is not "hip-hop", it is not "RnB". It's Gangsta Rap. Believe it or not, the "rap" that the mainstream media present is not all there is to the genre, and if you want some extra listening try Akala or Lupe Fiasco (basically anything by him). I won't give you any other names, because I know how unlikely you are to even bother youtubing those two, let alone a list of other names.

Whilst we're on the subject of youtube, if anyone can write decent rap (ANYONE can write rubbish lyrics, in the same way that I can flail at a guitar string- it doesn't mean what I play is good), go ahead. Record it and put it on youtube, show everyone how easy it is. If you want, I can even write a beat for you (or you can use a standard beat from a current song. Handlebars from FloBots is quite a nice slow one, shall we try with that?)

you can't spell crap, without rap!

music is like candy: you throw away the rapper!

i hate the whole thing. mostly because it's just about nothing at all. it's a loud of guys with thick thuggish accents saying they're going out to kill someone, slap up dere ***** and make cash, and complain about not having a cadillac

Again, one small section of rap. Go grab some OPM or some Funkoars from youtube, come back when you're not feeling so stereotypical.

Basically, stop hearing "Rap" and thinking "Gangsta rap". Gangsta rap nowdays is rubbish, I know that. Gangsta should have died with Biggie and 'Pac, when the east/west coast war was stopped. 50 Cent is crap, Soulja Boi is crap, The Game is crap. But Rap is not just those people. Rap is such a wide group of styles, it's unfair to judge it on a minority of the genre.


EDIT: Also- Kanye has taken a serious dive in my estimation since Graduation came out last summer. "Heartless"? WTF? You're a rapper, get back to rapping...

If anyone's interested in some upcoming rapper in the UK, give him a look. VDoubleO, he's touting himself as the fastest rapper in the UK (and he's proven that he can outspit Twista, both speed-wise and content wise)

Do not quote me thinking that I haven't listened to alot of different "genres" of the same fucking genre. I've listened to alot over the years, from Eminem to 36 Mafia, to Tupac, to Biggie, to 50 Cent, (and yes) I have listened to Lupe Fiasco and his song Kick, Push, and yes, I thought it was garbage, and I've also listened to Tech N9ne, and he is my favorite "rapper" if you will, even though most of his stuff is trash too.

The genre of rap, with all the sub-genres included, takes one person to do 90% of the work. They have to pick a subject, write the lyrics, make them rhyme, and that's pretty much it. Just get a computer program to make a beat. Oh, and you don't forget about them bringing up 5 of their cousins on stage at a concert to stand there with mic's in their hands repeating every line that the main "rapper" just said.

Now, when you can produce music that rhymes, fit's ACTUAL people's lives, and can be matched by 2 guitars, a bass guitar and drummer, then you can defend that as music. Until then, please stop.

 

[Worr Monger]

Naw.. it's definitely a genre... you know, back in the 80 and early 90's.... Dr. Dre.. Snoop Dog... Run DMC.. Tupac.. House of Pain... etc. (I don't have a lot of examples) but it was definitely not the Hip-Hop garbage we have today. Or were you not around then?

Although I will admit... they try to implement it into today's music... but it's not the same.

Okay, but all the artists you just mentioned perform hip-hop, in which they rap. Rage Against The Machine rap and they are a rock band.

It's fair enough calling it rap because alot of people do, but saying hip-hop sucks, rap was better, is silly.

Rap and Hip-Hop kinda merged into one... the genres do get mixed in quite well very often... but the sounds back in the 80's and early 90's are very distinct from the crap you hear today. When's the last time you heard some old skool gangster rap from someone like Dr. Dre? The sounds have very much changed.

Just like you don't really hear any early 90's grunge like Nirvana these days.... sure there are influences... but it's all lumped into Alternative or Emo, or whatever the hell they call it these days.

 

[-Orgasmatron-]

Rap and Hip-Hop kinda merged into one... the genres do get mixed in quite well very often... but the sounds back in the 80's and early 90's are very distinct from the crap you hear today. When's the last time you heard some old skool gangster rap from someone like Dr. Dre? The sounds have very much changed.

Well, I think I get what you're saying. But yea, beats are the only thing that albums sell by these days, so you always got these huge 30 synth beats dwarfing the spitting, as opposed to a group like NWA whos beats where fairly basic, but effective. It can even be heard on Eminem stuff, if you listened to his first two albums, then his stuff off Relapse, it's amazing how much the sound has changed due to it now being more of a synth masturbation with words over the top than an actual hip-hop album with good lyrics.

So I think we're on the same page.

 

[Worr Monger]

Well, I think I get what you're saying. But yea, beats are the only thing that albums sell by these days, so you always got these huge 30 synth beats dwarfing the spitting, as opposed to a group like NWA whos beats where fairly basic, but effective. It can even be heard on Eminem stuff, if you listened to his first two albums, then his stuff off Relapse, it's amazing how much the sound has changed due to it now being more of a synth masturbation with words over the top than an actual hip-hop album with good lyrics.

So I think we're on the same page.

Basically.... also, yeah I forgot about Eminem... I would consider him to be more Rap than Hip Hop these days. Though, I haven't heard any of his recent stuff.. maybe he changed, but his early stuff was more of the Rap genre.

 

[wordsmith]

Do not quote me thinking that I haven't listened to alot of different "genres" of the same fucking genre. I've listened to alot over the years, from Eminem to 36 Mafia, to Tupac, to Biggie, to 50 Cent, (and yes) I have listened to Lupe Fiasco and his song Kick, Push, and yes, I thought it was garbage, and I've also listened to Tech N9ne, and he is my favorite "rapper" if you will, even though most of his stuff is trash too.

The genre of rap, with all the sub-genres included, takes one person to do 90% of the work. They have to pick a subject, write the lyrics, make them rhyme, and that's pretty much it. Just get a computer program to make a beat. Oh, and you don't forget about them bringing up 5 of their cousins on stage at a concert to stand there with mic's in their hands repeating every line that the main "rapper" just said.

Now, when you can produce music that rhymes, fit's ACTUAL people's lives, and can be matched by 2 guitars, a bass guitar and drummer, then you can defend that as music. Until then, please stop.

I quoted you based on what you said. You said that that list was all that rap is. If you've listened as closely as you say you have, you should know that's just not the case.

Rap doesn't just take one person to do 90% of the work, if it's a group (Tha Dogg Pound Gang, NWA, Outlawz etc.) then each person will write their own verse. If they're on stage for no other reason than to add emphasis, I'm with you 100%. Thing is, they usually aren't.

A computer program to make a beat? A person who's evidently had so much experience with the genre should know it's not just a case of "push this button, have a ready made beat", to get a decent and fresh sounding beat needs a person who knows what they are doing. You make it sound so simple when you say it "pick a subject, write the lyrics, make them rhyme, and that's pretty much it". Here's your beat- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNRTMcZzZiA , prove how easy it is and then link me. I could do with a laugh...

So you're saying that what The Beatles did wasn't "music" (either only one guitarist or no bass player), what Queen did wasn't "music" (again, only 4 people), Black Sabbath only have 4 members, Jimi Hendrix was a solo act, and the best bit about your sweeping statement? Nothing by any of the classical composers is "music", as it has no vocals.

Out of interest, what's your favourite artist(s)/track(s)? I just want to know so that I know you aren't being hypocritical or anything...

 

[stewart34]

I can see this thread has caught some attention.

 

[Oolinthu]

Do not quote me thinking that I haven't listened to alot of different "genres" of the same fucking genre. I've listened to alot over the years, from Eminem to 36 Mafia, to Tupac, to Biggie, to 50 Cent, (and yes) I have listened to Lupe Fiasco and his song Kick, Push, and yes, I thought it was garbage, and I've also listened to Tech N9ne, and he is my favorite "rapper" if you will, even though most of his stuff is trash too.

The genre of rap, with all the sub-genres included, takes one person to do 90% of the work. They have to pick a subject, write the lyrics, make them rhyme, and that's pretty much it. Just get a computer program to make a beat. Oh, and you don't forget about them bringing up 5 of their cousins on stage at a concert to stand there with mic's in their hands repeating every line that the main "rapper" just said.

Now, when you can produce music that rhymes, fit's ACTUAL people's lives, and can be matched by 2 guitars, a bass guitar and drummer, then you can defend that as music. Until then, please stop.

So, basically your definition of music is completely arbitrary and asinine, and you don't like any of the rap you've heard, either because it doesn't fit your silly definition, or because you've decided beforehand you aren't going to like it. Am I missing anything?

 

[xChevelle24]

Do not quote me thinking that I haven't listened to alot of different "genres" of the same fucking genre. I've listened to alot over the years, from Eminem to 36 Mafia, to Tupac, to Biggie, to 50 Cent, (and yes) I have listened to Lupe Fiasco and his song Kick, Push, and yes, I thought it was garbage, and I've also listened to Tech N9ne, and he is my favorite "rapper" if you will, even though most of his stuff is trash too.

The genre of rap, with all the sub-genres included, takes one person to do 90% of the work. They have to pick a subject, write the lyrics, make them rhyme, and that's pretty much it. Just get a computer program to make a beat. Oh, and you don't forget about them bringing up 5 of their cousins on stage at a concert to stand there with mic's in their hands repeating every line that the main "rapper" just said.

Now, when you can produce music that rhymes, fit's ACTUAL people's lives, and can be matched by 2 guitars, a bass guitar and drummer, then you can defend that as music. Until then, please stop.

I quoted you based on what you said. You said that that list was all that rap is. If you've listened as closely as you say you have, you should know that's just not the case.

Rap doesn't just take one person to do 90% of the work, if it's a group (Tha Dogg Pound Gang, NWA, Outlawz etc.) then each person will write their own verse. If they're on stage for no other reason than to add emphasis, I'm with you 100%. Thing is, they usually aren't.

A computer program to make a beat? A person who's evidently had so much experience with the genre should know it's not just a case of "push this button, have a ready made beat", to get a decent and fresh sounding beat needs a person who knows what they are doing. You make it sound so simple when you say it "pick a subject, write the lyrics, make them rhyme, and that's pretty much it". Here's your beat- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNRTMcZzZiA , prove how easy it is and then link me. I could do with a laugh...

So you're saying that what The Beatles did wasn't "music" (either only one guitarist or no bass player), what Queen did wasn't "music" (again, only 4 people), Black Sabbath only have 4 members, Jimi Hendrix was a solo act, and the best bit about your sweeping statement? Nothing by any of the classical composers is "music", as it has no vocals.

Out of interest, what's your favourite artist(s)/track(s)? I just want to know so that I know you aren't being hypocritical or anything...

Wow, you really seem to take what I say out of context. It's actually amazing, really. When did I say a band had to have 5 members? I merely stated the fact that when music is produced with people playing instruments, with MULTIPLE people playing instruments, I might add, that takes a lot mor talent than one or two people writing down words and having a professional make a beat for them.

I'm not going to even respond to your second paragraph, because it's utterly ridiculous.

I have many favorite bands, actually. Let's go down my iPod....
All That Remains
August Burns Red
Bang Camaro
Avenged Sevenfold
Boston
Cartel
Chevelle
Chiodos
A Day To Remember
DevilDriver
Escape The Fate
Explosions In The Sky (instrumental band)
Foo Fighters
Judas Priest
Killswitch Engage
The Killers
Lamb of God
Rise Against
Saosin
Tech N9ne
Tool
Trivium
underOATH
Yellowcard
36 Mafia

Yes, I'm very hypocritical when it comes to music.....*rolls eyes*

 

[xChevelle24]

Do not quote me thinking that I haven't listened to alot of different "genres" of the same fucking genre. I've listened to alot over the years, from Eminem to 36 Mafia, to Tupac, to Biggie, to 50 Cent, (and yes) I have listened to Lupe Fiasco and his song Kick, Push, and yes, I thought it was garbage, and I've also listened to Tech N9ne, and he is my favorite "rapper" if you will, even though most of his stuff is trash too.

The genre of rap, with all the sub-genres included, takes one person to do 90% of the work. They have to pick a subject, write the lyrics, make them rhyme, and that's pretty much it. Just get a computer program to make a beat. Oh, and you don't forget about them bringing up 5 of their cousins on stage at a concert to stand there with mic's in their hands repeating every line that the main "rapper" just said.

Now, when you can produce music that rhymes, fit's ACTUAL people's lives, and can be matched by 2 guitars, a bass guitar and drummer, then you can defend that as music. Until then, please stop.

So, basically your definition of music is completely arbitrary and asinine, and you don't like any of the rap you've heard, either because it doesn't fit your silly definition, or because you've decided beforehand you aren't going to like it. Am I missing anything?

I'm flattered that you chose your very first post to attack me, just flattered.

I don't like rap because what certain people have made out othe genre, granted I didn't like it much before, either. But as I have said about 3 or 4 times already on this forum, music is personal preference. Your culture, background, childhood, etc. all play particular roles in what kind of music you're going to be interested in. The end.

 

[wordsmith]

I quoted you based on what you said. You said that that list was all that rap is. If you've listened as closely as you say you have, you should know that's just not the case.

Rap doesn't just take one person to do 90% of the work, if it's a group (Tha Dogg Pound Gang, NWA, Outlawz etc.) then each person will write their own verse. If they're on stage for no other reason than to add emphasis, I'm with you 100%. Thing is, they usually aren't.

A computer program to make a beat? A person who's evidently had so much experience with the genre should know it's not just a case of "push this button, have a ready made beat", to get a decent and fresh sounding beat needs a person who knows what they are doing. You make it sound so simple when you say it "pick a subject, write the lyrics, make them rhyme, and that's pretty much it". Here's your beat- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNRTMcZzZiA , prove how easy it is and then link me. I could do with a laugh...

So you're saying that what The Beatles did wasn't "music" (either only one guitarist or no bass player), what Queen did wasn't "music" (again, only 4 people), Black Sabbath only have 4 members, Jimi Hendrix was a solo act, and the best bit about your sweeping statement? Nothing by any of the classical composers is "music", as it has no vocals.

Out of interest, what's your favourite artist(s)/track(s)? I just want to know so that I know you aren't being hypocritical or anything...

Wow, you really seem to take what I say out of context. It's actually amazing, really. When did I say a band had to have 5 members? I merely stated the fact that when music is produced with people playing instruments, with MULTIPLE people playing instruments, I might add, that takes a lot mor talent than one or two people writing down words and having a professional make a beat for them.

I'm not going to even respond to your second paragraph, because it's utterly ridiculous.

I have many favorite bands, actually. Let's go down my iPod....
All That Remains
August Burns Red
Bang Camaro
Avenged Sevenfold
Boston
Cartel
Chevelle
Chiodos
A Day To Remember
DevilDriver
Escape The Fate
Explosions In The Sky (instrumental band)
Foo Fighters
Judas Priest
Killswitch Engage
The Killers
Lamb of God
Rise Against
Saosin
Tech N9ne
Tool
Trivium
underOATH
Yellowcard
36 Mafia

Yes, I'm very hypocritical when it comes to music.....*rolls eyes*

Hahahahahahahahahahaha

Sorry, I honestly find it funny that in your first post you call rap "utter garbage", then name two rap acts amongst your favourite bands... Then you say you're not hypocritical Seriously dude, you crack me up. Anyway, to business:

When did I say a band had to have 5 members? I merely stated the fact that when music is produced with people playing instruments, with MULTIPLE people playing instruments

Now, when you can produce music that rhymes, fit's ACTUAL people's lives, and can be matched by 2 guitars, a bass guitar and drummer, then you can defend that as music. Until then, please stop.

Hmm... Looks to me like you're contradicting yourself... According to the second post "real" music consists of a vocalist, 2 guitars, a bass guitar and a drummer... Even if you meant "multiple people playing instruments", you sure as hell didn't say it.

May I just ask, which part do you mean by "my second paragraph"? My second paragraph is

Rap doesn't just take one person to do 90% of the work, if it's a group (Tha Dogg Pound Gang, NWA, Outlawz etc.) then each person will write their own verse. If they're on stage for no other reason than to add emphasis, I'm with you 100%. Thing is, they usually aren't.

and I can't see why you'd find that utterly ridiculous.

I'm still waiting for that link, by the way.

 

[xChevelle24]

I quoted you based on what you said. You said that that list was all that rap is. If you've listened as closely as you say you have, you should know that's just not the case.

Rap doesn't just take one person to do 90% of the work, if it's a group (Tha Dogg Pound Gang, NWA, Outlawz etc.) then each person will write their own verse. If they're on stage for no other reason than to add emphasis, I'm with you 100%. Thing is, they usually aren't.

A computer program to make a beat? A person who's evidently had so much experience with the genre should know it's not just a case of "push this button, have a ready made beat", to get a decent and fresh sounding beat needs a person who knows what they are doing. You make it sound so simple when you say it "pick a subject, write the lyrics, make them rhyme, and that's pretty much it". Here's your beat- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNRTMcZzZiA , prove how easy it is and then link me. I could do with a laugh...

So you're saying that what The Beatles did wasn't "music" (either only one guitarist or no bass player), what Queen did wasn't "music" (again, only 4 people), Black Sabbath only have 4 members, Jimi Hendrix was a solo act, and the best bit about your sweeping statement? Nothing by any of the classical composers is "music", as it has no vocals.

Out of interest, what's your favourite artist(s)/track(s)? I just want to know so that I know you aren't being hypocritical or anything...

Wow, you really seem to take what I say out of context. It's actually amazing, really. When did I say a band had to have 5 members? I merely stated the fact that when music is produced with people playing instruments, with MULTIPLE people playing instruments, I might add, that takes a lot mor talent than one or two people writing down words and having a professional make a beat for them.

I'm not going to even respond to your second paragraph, because it's utterly ridiculous.

I have many favorite bands, actually. Let's go down my iPod....
All That Remains
August Burns Red
Bang Camaro
Avenged Sevenfold
Boston
Cartel
Chevelle
Chiodos
A Day To Remember
DevilDriver
Escape The Fate
Explosions In The Sky (instrumental band)
Foo Fighters
Judas Priest
Killswitch Engage
The Killers
Lamb of God
Rise Against
Saosin
Tech N9ne
Tool
Trivium
underOATH
Yellowcard
36 Mafia

Yes, I'm very hypocritical when it comes to music.....*rolls eyes*

Hahahahahahahahahahaha

Sorry, I honestly find it funny that in your first post you call rap "utter garbage", then name two rap acts amongst your favourite bands... Then you say you're not hypocritical Seriously dude, you crack me up. Anyway, to business:

When did I say a band had to have 5 members? I merely stated the fact that when music is produced with people playing instruments, with MULTIPLE people playing instruments

Now, when you can produce music that rhymes, fit's ACTUAL people's lives, and can be matched by 2 guitars, a bass guitar and drummer, then you can defend that as music. Until then, please stop.

Hmm... Looks to me like you're contradicting yourself... According to the second post "real" music consists of a vocalist, 2 guitars, a bass guitar and a drummer... Even if you meant "multiple people playing instruments", you sure as hell didn't say it.

May I just ask, which part do you mean by "my second paragraph"? My second paragraph is

Rap doesn't just take one person to do 90% of the work, if it's a group (Tha Dogg Pound Gang, NWA, Outlawz etc.) then each person will write their own verse. If they're on stage for no other reason than to add emphasis, I'm with you 100%. Thing is, they usually aren't.

and I can't see why you'd find that utterly ridiculous.

I'm still waiting for that link, by the way.

Rap is utter garbage.

There. My final opinion. Have a nice day!

 

[wordsmith]

Rap is utter garbage.

There. My final opinion. Have a nice day!

Therefore your final opinion is flawed (utter garbage and your favourite band are mutually exclusive). You too!

 

[Eatbrainz]

i love rap music!

 

[danosaurus]

Rap is utter garbage.

There. My final opinion. Have a nice day!

Therefore your final opinion is flawed (utter garbage and your favourite band are mutually exclusive). You too!

*giggle*

 

[stewart34]

There are some good defining qaulities of the Genre, for without it there would not be a whole lot of decent dance to music. In Punk and rock there is headbanging and that is about it. In this genre you have much more of your own style to dance to.

 

[wikicated]

I wouldn`t say the entire genre sucks, just large amounts of it and even a metalhead like me can enjoy the odd bit of public enemy

basicly this^
i like gnarls barkley and gorillaz
and i occaisonly listen to sage fancis and matishyahu(hasidic rabi rapper person)