wrong.

have big bands come back to top the charts? rockabilly? how about psychedelic rock? country-fied southern rock? folk rock? AOR rock? hair metal? no. they all had their moments in the sun and now it's over.

you're assuming people want more of the same. which is true once they've established themselves as being different from the generation that preceded them but during the rebellious formative years most people are looking for something to separate and distinguish themselves from their precursors. it wouldn't matter how awesome some new rock bands were the kids who fuel the mainstream wouldn't go for it because it would be too close to what either their older siblings, or even worse, their parents enjoyed and still want to hear.

the main issue is acknowledging the personal growth past the focus of the mainstream or turning into the caricature you once held or the attitude shamemaker carries now.

at this point rap seems to be hitting the critical mass the 80s hair metal bands carried over from the arena rock of the 70s. virtually all image and no substance. rap has been the mainstream for the better part of a decade now it's time in the sun is almost over and it's not going to be an immediate throw back to an existing style that will shake up the mainstream again.

the issue facing most new music fans is accepting that the mainstream never cared about them or the music they liked when it was their generation's turn for attention. in this sense rap is no different than the grunge i grew up on, or the hair metal the older kids listened to. it's simply the newest t-shirt on the mainstream's back and it's starting to need a wash, but instead it'll just grab a fresh new shirt and wear it over it's current duds and hope the stains from the old ones don't show through the 'fresh', 'new', style.

there will ALWAYS be people who want to continue hearing the music of their youth, and there will always be people who will accommodate those styles but they will NEVER reach the level of mainstream popularity they enjoyed when we were 17 again.

"Caricature", I see.

Thanks for your elaboration on the musical mainstream. I've read similar statements/theories countless times before and they still don't sound anymore convincing.
Maybe we can continue this discussion as soon as Rap has left the charts. Or a new rock band we both happen to like has topped them.

Great analogy “it's simply the newest t-shirt on the mainstream's back and it's starting to need a wash, but instead it'll just grab a fresh new shirt and wear it over it's current duds and hope the stains from the old ones don't show through the 'fresh', 'new', style�

I personally think Rap will evolve into another way. I don't think it will disappear from the mainstream. There are many people who want to hear Rap. Just not the Rap they are currently hearing. But sometimes I wonder, Rap was pretty much underground until the late 70's or something like that. It might sink back into that hole it came out of.

Anyway I never saw people not liking music because their parents listened to it, but this is coming from the guy who talks to the adults at parties because the people at my age have nothing good to talk about.

but adults who go to parties with kids do?

The statement "Rap has become boring," is absurd. Mainstream Rap/Hiphop artists suck just as much as your typical mainstream rock band.

It's unfortunate that we don't have very many active rap enthusiasts at RM, because I'm sure we're missing out on some good stuff.

Maybe someone up-to-date should turn this thread into something positive and give some recommendations.

From this year


Ghostface Killah - The Big Doe Rehab
Pharoahe Monch - Desire
UGK - Underground Kingz
Evidence - The Weatherman LP
Sean Price - Jesus Price Supastar
Black Milk - Popular Demand
Prodigy - Return of the Mac
Joell Ortiz - The Brick: Bodega Chronicles
EL-P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead
Hell Razah - Renaissance Child

Below are releases from 2007 that may be worth checking out. I'll post reviews as I hear them.

Dälek - Deadverse Massive, Vol. 1: Dälek Rarities 1999-2006



Common - Finding Forever



Pharoahe Monch - Desire



Killah Priest - The Offering



Zimbabwe Legit - House of Stone


Featuring YZ, Jungle Brothers, Unspoken Heard, Dead Prez and more.

Blue Sky Black Death / Hell Razah - Razah's Ladder



Marco Polo - Port Authority



Blu & Exile - Below the Heavens



Hell Razah - Renaissance Child

You beat me to it

Thanks for the recommendations.

You're welcome.



No way close to being underground but the latest Wu-Tang Clan is the best thing they released since Wu-Tang Forever in 1997.