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Entertainment > Why do many rock and pop fans think that rap "sucks"?

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message 1: by Anthony (new)

Anthony  Hudson (aj8thegreat) | 6 comments Lately I've been browsing the internet and I have come to notice that many fans of rock and heavy metal seem to have some unwarranted hatred for rap music. Two things about this bothers me: one is that music is all opinion and no one's taste of music is worse than anyone else's. The other is that these people usually seem to be extremely ignorant when it comes to rap music, constantly dropping names such as Soulja Boy and Lil Wayne to explain why "rap is crap". They claim that rap is only about "money, sex, bling" and other things. Now, here's the thing: I listen to a lot of rap and listen to rap everyday and I hardly ever listen to things with those topics, unless it is talking about them in a serious, deep way. I honestly don't like rap about those things, but that doesn't mean I will say that they suck. Now, back to my point. There is a wide variety (and I'd be willing to bet majority) of rap music that talks about much deeper topics and explores many more concepts. I dare one of these rap haters to listen to an Aesop Rock song, for instance, and then say that rap is meaningless. He manages to hagve so many meanigns in each line he says that his lyrics are practically open to infinite interpretation. Here's an Aesop Rock song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd_W_x...
And here are explanations to the lyrics of that song: http://rapgenius.com/Aesop-rock-dayli...
Aesop Rock is not the only. There are countless rappers withintricate rhyme schemes, deep meanings, interestingly composed stories, excellent use of literary devices, and much more. I have thousands of rap songs saved to my computer and a large amount of rap artists as well, and hardly any of my archive of rap music talks about how much money the artist is making, how much they have sex, and how much jewelry they wear. My point is that people are placing rap in a box, judging it based off of the content that is being foonsped to the population through the mainstream radio. Am I saying that all rap is meaningful and deep? No. In fact, I'm one of the main people you'd hear expressing my discontent with the direction mainstream rap is going these days. I almost don't blame these anti-rap people for their assumptions, but I do put them at fault for talking about something which, through their comments and statements, they obviously do not know much about. There is a vast amount of lyrically consious, original, and unique rap of the oldschool and newschool that many people are ignoring.
Listen to people like Aesop Rock, MF DOOM, Eyedea, Atmosphere, Mos Def, Immortal Technique, Joey Bada$$, Earl Sweatshirt, Lupe Fiasco, Eminem, (some of) Jay-Z, (some of) Kanye West, Nas, Pharoahe Monch, Kendirck Lamar, Ghostface Killah, Action Bronson, Zeroh, Royce da 5'9, Angel Haze, Capital STEEZ, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q . . .
I could honestly go on for a long while of amazing rap artists, many even better than the one's I just named. All I ask is that people give rap a chance, and stop judging it off of "I don't like Soulja Boy, so I don't like rap."
Yes, I understand that everyone has opinions,but to say that a genre "sucks" just based off of little knowledge is not only disrespecting to fans of the genre, btu also makes you sound pretty ignorant. I am a big fan of rock, but not as big of a fan of heavy metal. That does not mean I think it "sucks". I appreciate the artists in that genre and respect them, it is just not my preferance in music. And I am not saying all rock fans feel this way about rap, or that rock fans are the only people who feel this way, it's just that I have found many rock fans who do, and the rock fans who do tend to be the most hostile towards it. I am a fan of both rap and rock, but respect all other genres of music as well. Music is music, and evryone has their own respectable preference.


message 2: by Eliza (new)

Eliza | 10 comments It ruins and interupts the good music!!!!


message 3: by Chantae (new)

Chantae B. I listen to mostly rock but I do listen to other genres but if I didnt like a genre i wouldn't go around saying it sucks I just wouldn't listen to it after all people have their own preferences in music


message 4: by Lade (new)

Lade (ladet) | 269 comments I don't think that rap is a genre/type of music. I think it's poetry. http://wp.me/s1wftJ-randomss here's a link I think explains it


message 5: by Chantae (new)

Chantae B. @lade
Good point because you can put rap in rock song or even classical and its still rap


message 6: by Anthony (new)

Anthony  Hudson (aj8thegreat) | 6 comments I think that rap is an act or thing you do more than it is a genre, but I'm saying this using rap in a wider definition that would include the hip-hop genre.


In regards to that article, I agree with it on a few points, however I disagree with the way it seems to subliminally diss rap and say that certain rap artists can't be compared to certain other musicians.


Honestly, I don't like comparing artists at all, because as long as you are expressing yourself then you are doing the right thing, no need to worry about what someone else is doing.


Personally, I'm a bigger fan of words and language than I am of music. I could definitely listen to an album with nothing but rap/spoken word poetry but I would have a hard time listening to an album full of just music with no lyrics. That is what appeals to me so much with rap: it's high use of words and the ability to use them in so many different ways and get so many emotions.

I believe rap defintely has a lot of similarities with poetry, however I do not think you can simply call rap poetry. I write a lot of rap and a lo tof poetry and I can garentee you there is a difference.

My original point however is that so many people put rap in a box without even truly understanding it. If you tell me that writing and delivering rap lyrics takes no talent, then I believe you have a lot to learn.

I play a few instruments,however none of them interest me as much as writing lyrics. That does not mean however that I think they require no talent because they definitely do, so I dno;t understand where people come from saying that rap requires no talent.


message 7: by Chantae (new)

Chantae B. Rap does require a talent especially free style because its hard to talk fast while making something up as you go along and to have what you say make sense. I didn't read the article she posted but I think I will and see what it says. One more thing about rap being a talent including any other style/genre of music you have to have a talent and creativity to write lyrics that people like/can relate to and most artists can play an instrument even if they are mostly known for rap and it takes a talent to put together lyrics music and effects into one with out it sounding a mess. Also if rap is so bad why are many artists winning VMA's and Grammys and other stuff.


message 8: by Anthony (new)

Anthony  Hudson (aj8thegreat) | 6 comments @Chantae
Exactly. In my opinion any art form that not only allows the artist to express themselves but is also enjoyed by others has to require talent.


message 9: by Leha (new)

Leha | 19 comments I think at the end of the day, its something that people enjoy and we can't judge... Everyone has different tastes and varying opinions.Personally, I'm not a big fan of rap but I do listen sometimes because I've noticed that the words are most of the time inspirational and even though its said really fast, it does have a melody to it.


message 10: by Haylee' Marie (new)

Haylee' Marie  (beastly-marie) | 38 comments I'm not allowed to listen to it.. Though I do.
It really requires talent to rap and make sense so your not some lunatic. I can talk really fast and make up words but that doesn't mean I should rap... Pop and rock are somewhat different genres for rapping though now-a-days you see artists mixing their art style so rapping blends with their music. It would be crazy AND totally awkward if you would see a country singer start rapping out of the blue.


message 11: by Chantae (new)

Chantae B. Some artists who make mostly pop or rock can have songs that they rap in or have a rapper rap in. So just because it has a rock or pop sound (instruments) the artist could be rapping in it.


▂▃▅▇█۩✡۩̮✾ԲคՆՆ૯Ո คՈ૭૯Ն✾۩✡۩█▇▅▃▂ (-percabethforever-) the only reason why I dis like rap is because it weasels it's way into country and now most of the country isn't even country any more. though rap can be good rap...


message 13: by ★ Jess (new)

★ Jess  | 4295 comments Mod
For the same reason some rap fans would say "indie rock sucks" and some indie rock fans may say "country sucks" and some country fans may say "metal sucks".
Everyone has their own opinion. You may think something is genius, other people think "meh". And vise versa.


▂▃▅▇█۩✡۩̮✾ԲคՆՆ૯Ո คՈ૭૯Ն✾۩✡۩█▇▅▃▂ (-percabethforever-) when van goph first started everyone hated his work so he committed suicide. I think. anyways... I like country without rap in it and rock ^-^ not saying rap is bad country also has really bad songs about girls being sex toys getting drunk and purse idiot stalking! the stalking part was one song but that's mostly y I only listen to girl country ^-^


message 15: by Fox (new)

Fox  (aegontargaryen) | 141 comments There are good messages is some rap songs, but too many of them are about things like drugs. And pop, pop music is polluted with sex, swearing, and bad influences. Most people have this image of rock music being "bad" but really indie rock and rock have the least swearing and bad influences out of those three types of music. Many rock songs have great messages, and at most high schools and he highs the kids that listen to rock and alt. rock get better grades than kids who love rap and pop. Also, a lot of rap and pop fans hate rock, and vise versa, so it really just depends on what kind of music you like. I like rock.


message 16: by spidrenflora (new)

spidrenflora | 78 comments Lade wrote: "I don't think that rap is a genre/type of music. I think it's poetry. http://wp.me/s1wftJ-randomss here's a link I think explains it"

That's just it, it's poetry with music in the background, not really music. When I listen to a song, I want to hear music, not poetry. I always hear the tune before I hear the words, and since rap is mainly about the words, I don't like to listen to it.


message 17: by spidrenflora (new)

spidrenflora | 78 comments Lade wrote: "I don't think that rap is a genre/type of music. I think it's poetry. http://wp.me/s1wftJ-randomss here's a link I think explains it"

That's just it, it's poetry with music in the background, not really music. When I listen to a song, I want to hear music, not poetry. I always hear the tune before I hear the words, and since rap is mainly about the words, I don't like to listen to it.


message 18: by A (new)

A H I don't really like rap.....it kind of ruins the song. Even if the rapper is good at rapping, I really don't like it when they insert a rap in the middle of a good song.


message 19: by Chantae (new)

Chantae B. I like the way linkin park blends rock and rap


message 20: by Stephen (last edited Mar 28, 2014 11:01AM) (new)

Stephen Perry | 1 comments This particular post came up when I searched the phrase "rap sucks" on Google. What triggered my search was the annoying habit of rap being inserted into other genres of music.

I wanted to touch on the talent aspect of rap and freestyle. It's not talent, it's a matter of training your mind to come up with rhymes. The reason I know this is because I spent my junior and senior year with friends who loved to exchange "Your mom is so fat..." type insults. In a short time I became a master at it and could think up insults at the drop of a hat. To this day I can spew forth insults on varying subjects, one right after the other. It doesn't take a lot of thought and they're always fresh and new.

I was just out of high school when the likes of N.W.A were hitting it big. I was a huge fan of rap and had been a fan of rap from the early 80's; everything from Run DMC to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. I still cherish some of the early 80's rap because I grew up with it, but I no longer listen to it, maybe once in a blue moon.

I think the reason people don't like rap anymore is they're getting tired of hearing someone ramble on in a song where the beat doesn't change throughout and the samples are from other artists that created real music; it irks me to no end when a rapper rips a melody from a song I grew up with. The genre died because it doesn't have enough content to keep people coming back. After you've sampled all the classic/popular tunes from the day, there's not much left creatively. We've seen rap "progress" into mediocrity because it's all been done before and at the end of the day, it's just poetry inserted into bland looping "music" that mostly rips off other artists.

Currently, rap has invaded R&B and pop and it's become extremely annoying (the reason for my search in the first place). The only way it can survive is to merge with other genres. Rap interludes ruin good songs. Jay Z, Pitbull and their ilk... I can't stand them. Eventually, rap will overstay its welcome in all genres of music except rap/hip-hop itself and the candle will just go out.

Rap differs from what most people consider to be moving, which is a major component in music--it has to move you. Listen to Etta James - At Last and then a rap song sampling a song you loved 20 years ago. I think you'll understand why rap is dead and why people think rap sucks.

The point the OP is missing is that you can be the most innovative poet in rap, but it still ends up being a throw-away experience. A good example is Eminem, who had a huge fan base in the 90's. Today you'll find most of those people don't care to listen to him anymore. The reason remains the same... rap does truly suck, unless you're into poetry spoken to a beat.

One aspect we haven't discussed yet is the culture that has developed around rap. Hardcore rap, violent themes, materialism, disrespecting women, sex and drugs are all good reasons not to like rap, but let's toss that aside for the sake of argument. The vast majority of rap is a platform for a rapper to grandstand and flex his ego. People find that off-putting. You can only take so much of someone talking about themselves, what they can do and how they're better than someone else. That, to me, isn't poetry at all, it's annoying.

In the 80's the formula went from innocence to one of hate and divisiveness. In the 90's rap changed to full swing hardcore. In the 00's rap tried to reinvent itself to stay relevant. In the 10's, so far, rap can only survive when mixed with another genre, because of all of the reasons mentioned above.

Rap sucks in peoples minds for a variety of reasons, but I think the one that sticks with me is rap culture and ego, which I don't like. I think most people ignored the culture or had a passing idea that it was cool. When that wore off and people saw the culture for what it was, egocentric, fake and vulgar, they dropped it like a hot potato. That's not to say all rap is like this, but the vast majority is.

The one final thing that isn't being considered is that people outgrow rap and its immature trappings. Rap culture is centered around being a fake personality. When you grow up you cast the fantasy aside for reality. More mature music is what's appealing to you. Music that has emotion and feeling and is free of ego. Music that is completely original. When's the last time a rap song tugged at your heart strings? When music is devoid of emotional content (not counting anger and hate), originality and true talent, it's not appealing.

That, in a nutshell, is why rap sucks.


message 21: by B.L. (new)

B.L. Jones (bljonesbooks) | 5 comments Because it does. End of.


message 22: by ❥Katlynn (new)

❥Katlynn (katlynnvn) To me it's just shorter rhymes in the lyrics, and repeats itself and I hate how some rap songs have a rapper with a monotone voice I mean if it has a beat and a catchy bass or whateverucallit:P I'd like it


message 23: by Fox (last edited Oct 05, 2014 10:20AM) (new)

Fox  (aegontargaryen) | 141 comments Rap is better than pop. Pop sucks. At least some rap has good meaning. I personally just don't like the sound of rap, and a lot of songs do have bad themes-but then a lot of rap had good themes too. To me pop is just terrible and corrupt and stupid and makes my ears bleed. I also hate it when people say 'drop the bass' because I just think of this.

So yeah. Pop sucks. Rap isn't my taste. Rock on.

Rock stars are even the best role models. if you look at who is most likely to be married and have kids and not do drugs, there are more rock stars than pop or rap that fit on the lists.

Now here is a sassy gif(s) of Jack White



message 24: by rzells (new)

rzells (rayraya) | 11 comments I hate rap


message 25: by Chantae (new)

Chantae B. those are the best gifs I have ever seen


message 26: by Fox (new)

Fox  (aegontargaryen) | 141 comments ❄ sʜᴀʜᴅɪᴀ ❄ ᶫᵃᵈʸ ᵒᶠ ʷᶦᶰᵗᵉʳᶠᵉᶫᶫ ❄ wrote: "You do realise that pop music means 'popular music', right?"

Sometimes. Pop is also a genre though.


message 27: by Fox (new)

Fox  (aegontargaryen) | 141 comments Chantae wrote: "those are the best gifs I have ever seen"

I know! jack is king.

ALSO I GET TO SEE FOO FIGHTERS NEXT SEPTEMBER!!!


message 28: by Jazzy (new)

Jazzy (stairstepjitters) | 135 comments I think rap is like any other genre, it has its good moments and its bad ones. Rap gets a fairly bad rep because in a lot of the popular rap songs, there is swearing and far too many references to a booty in the club. People can't see past that to listen to artists who rap about more than that and actually can string together a mostly original beat.


message 29: by Tommy (new)

Tommy Vercetti | 1 comments Grrarrr! I HATE rap music to death! Especially when it's played at bars and nightclubs! It totally destroys the entire nightlife fun. Ruins it with all the profanity and the glorification of gang life, crime, illegal drugs, and all else. Even now, a Rap "Tsar Bomba" has detonated over the nightlife atmosphere in Southwest Florida just last year. No less than 8 or 9 bars and clubs are infected with the rap virus in Southwest Florida, including all 5 of them that are popular hangouts for students at Florida Gulf Coast University.


message 30: by Jazmin (new)

Jazmin °•JFC•GFB•° | 41 comments cuz they have opinions


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