Your Current Opinion on Rap Today?

[Croaker42]

Much the same, although for a reason. Old rap (early 90's and earlier) is a legitimate expression of a peoples frustration and disenfranchisement, in much the same way as blues is. Rap in those days was a potent act of rebellion, Fuck Tha Police is almost an act of social uprising.

Nowadays? A bunch of arrogant rich people rhyming badly about how big their cocks are. Fuck that.

/This. Rap as a history of social dissatisfaction and an urge to communicate within a community, it is respectable as a political art form. It also holds value today as an example of how things were, how they were changed and serves as reminder the way things in an enlightened society should never be. Today =/= in power or msg and certainly not worth listening to.

 

[Klarinette]

I feel like they have nothing to say anymore. I think that's what a lot of music used to be about.

 

[Byrn Stuff]

Rap? Who talks about rap anymore?
Rap died when Eminem got white and had a wife and a kid.

Are you implying that Rap died as a genre of music when Eminem left, or are you saying that it ceased to be controversial/incendiary? In either regard, I think you're mistaken.

Everyone here is right all rap is just sex and drugs and hoes. While we're on the subject all metal is about murder and satanic worship right?

Are you serious? Not even 'mainstream metal' bands have lyrics about either. I listen to metal virtually non stop and I couldn't tell you the last time I heard a song about either murder or satam

I think you missed the fact that he was showing how ridiculous it is to generalize to the entirety of a genre.

No no im totally serious! I was listening to what everyone listens to at school which is Slipknot and it was saing stuff like "I'm going to slit your throat and fuck the wound" so that must be what ALL metal is about right?

Rap? Who talks about rap anymore?
Rap died when Eminem got white and had a wife and a kid.

Are you implying that Rap died as a genre of music when Eminem left, or are you saying that it ceased to be controversial/incendiary? In either regard, I think you're mistaken.

No, I am just under the impression that it just happened to be around that time when Rap became overshadowed in the mainstream by R&B. And that Eminem [and others during that early 2000 period] was the last major mainstream rapper. After 8 Mile majorly publicized the whole scene, rap had a Renaissance and then over a few years the mainstream turned back to the safer and denser R&B sounds.
But I could be completely off base. >_<

No way. Since Eminem you've had artists like Lil Wayne, Drake, and Souljaboy (ya, I'm not much of a fan either, but it's true) getting popular play on crossover stations. Not only are they getting play though, they're also making money off of the mainstream audience, which is harder to say for other rap acts.

 

[senorcromas]

Well, it used to be good...

It's just too bad that all they rap about now is their Mansions, which, if they are to be believed, are "Somewhere in Wincansion."

Also, autotune ensures that audiences will be annoyed with mimimal effort.

 

[Aesir23]

While I don't hate ALL rap, I absolutely despise "gangster rap".

 

[bakonslayer]

snip

No way. Since Eminem you've had artists like Lil Wayne, Drake, and Souljaboy (ya, I'm not much of a fan either, but it's true) getting popular play on crossover stations. Not only are they getting play though, they're also making money off of the mainstream audience, which is harder to say for other rap acts.

Sorry, these are repressed memories. I'll give you Lil' Wayne and Drake. But I refuse to believe Soulja Boy Tell 'Em is any more than a one hit wonder.

 

[RabidusUnus]

Actual rap I can bare to listen too.
"SOULJA BOWAH UP IN DISS OOOOOOOOOOOO" Isn't music. I refuse to classify it with other music.

 

[JakBandit2208]

I love rap I've grown up with it but most of the mainstreamers have destroyed what it once was Only mainstream rappers I will listen to are Common,Kanye(yea I know he's a dick),Lupe Fiasco,Mos Def, Kid Cudi and Eminem probaly forgetting a few but you get the jist Rap has become a mess.

 

[Dimbo_Sama]

There are no NWA, Public Enemy, or Wu-Tang Clans knocking about anymore. And those who are still good, like J5, Redman, Dead Prez etc... don't get any attention.

 

[Eggsnham]

Recent Rap and Hip-Hop has gone downhill, but there are still some good artists, you just have to know where to look.

 

[Byrn Stuff]

snip

No way. Since Eminem you've had artists like Lil Wayne, Drake, and Souljaboy (ya, I'm not much of a fan either, but it's true) getting popular play on crossover stations. Not only are they getting play though, they're also making money off of the mainstream audience, which is harder to say for other rap acts.

Sorry, these are repressed memories. I'll give you Lil' Wayne and Drake. But I refuse to believe Soulja Boy Tell 'Em is any more than a one hit wonder.

He has two complete albums and numerous guess spots. "Crank Dat Souljdaboy" alone was probably the most downloaded song of that year, but as I understand it, he is the second youngest act with the most numerous radio hits. His superior? Michael Jackson. From "Kiss Me Through the Phone" to "Turn My Swag on" he's been making money hand over fist laughing at anyone who says he's not a force to be reckoned with. Even Wale calls out his fans on his Mix Tape when says that Souljaboy fans will do what other hip hop fans won't: pay for the album.

 

[Jeronus]

There are good rappers out there. I just wished they rapped about more than money and fucking. It used to be about trying to survive in a brutal environment and the struggle of a disenfranchised people. Nowadays, it's all about the sex life of rappers and product placement. Seriously, how many times am I going to hear about spilling expensive alcohol in night club before rappers realize we know they're rich?

 

[Julianking93]

I hate it and don't listen to it.

That's about as far as my opinion goes.

 

[Burningsok]

it's shit today, all the rappers have to repeat themselves, like they have lost their talent to come up with creative lyrics. Plus they use auto-tuning devices to sound cool which is just a way to cover up their terrible singing abilities. Even regular hip hop singers are using the auto-tuning method. No real hard work and talent is needed to sing now, it's shit. only a few rappers today can still come up with great lyrics. Eminem is one of them.

But then again I don't really listen to rap that much. I'm more of a metal kind of guy. The non-scream kind that is.

 

[Snotnarok]

Brass Monkey! That funky monkey! Brass monkey chunky, that funky monkey!

That's the rap I like ...........Beastie boys that is.

 

[Burningsok]

There are good rappers out there. I just wished they rapped about more than money and fucking. It used to be about trying to survive in a brutal environment and the struggle of a disenfranchised people. Nowadays, it's all about the sex life of rappers and product placement. Seriously, how many times am I going to hear about spilling expensive alcohol in night club before rappers realize we know they're rich?

Exactly i agree, but I think it got old after a while. Now rappers really can't think of anything else to rap about. The only rapper I fully respect is Eminem. Even though he got in trouble with the law a few times, he cleaned his act up and is actually doing very well with his life.

 

[Quiet Stranger]

only good rap is white rap, and I don't mean that in a disrespectful kind of way I just mean white rappers like Eni....whats his name (cant spell it), Beastie boys, and Classified have "silly" rap songs you know like the Beastie Boys intergalatic and music videos, from what I've seen of Black Rappers just has to do with whores and bitches and drugs and killing each other and lots of swear words strung together

 

[firedfns13]

My personal opinion is that rap nowadays is complete and utter shit.

Used to be good, now rotten trash.

This. Autotune needs to go die in a horrible and tragically satisfying firey explosion.

 

[Neurowaste]

Underground rap? A wild talent appears! Anything else I try and ignore as much as possible.
Right now my favorite rappers are Jedi Mind Tricks and Immortal Technique. Keep in mind this is coming from a guy who's favorite bands are Neurosis and Mastodon.