Here’s what I’m doing. I’m going to sticky this thread on “Is rap music?” This will be the offical thread for the critique of rap as a musical style. If you want to have a discussion on rap music as a style, feel free to have it here.(any new threads on the subject will be moved) By that I do not mean the image of mainstream rap artists. That is a different issue altogether. The mainstream image and the music as a style are two different things. Please keep this in mind. If you think that rap is not music, that is fine. There will be no censoring of opinions. HOWEVER, this thread is not for, 1)random insults, 2)quasi-racist talk, 3) or any other tomfoolery.

Have a nice day

Spiff...never out of good ideas.

That's definitly true. Of course this is true in lots of pop music. Plently of artist don't write their own music and get all the credit. So I don't see why rap should be singled out. The issue of the performer getting all the credit while plenty of other people contributed is present in many types of music.

ah the problem with comunicating on the internet. I can't tell if that's a compliment or sarcasm. oh well

It wasn't sarcasm, I promise. You're right. It is done in a lot of styles of music. Rap/Pop is just the first thing that came to mind. The pop section is full of pansies I'm sure, so I decided to go into the rap. Seriously though, the sticky poll was a good idea.

sticky is good idea

The sad thing about this thread is how incredibly close rap/hiphop is to pop or rock. I mean, you think Busta Rhymes and AC/DC are in different worlds? They're like kissin' cousins compared to Balinese gamelan or Beijing opera or Aboriginal Australian music.

I mean, take Balinese gamelan. The first time I heard it, I thought I was listening to pots and pans banging around (I know, I feel stupid saying that now, but it was a real shock to me!). Of course, once I learned about it, I found out that it's actually a very intricate musical craft that requires a full-on orchestra playing with EXTREME precision. I started hearing the patterns and rhythms that would have escaped me otherwise. And I slowly began to appreciate it as a musical form. Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly no expert on Balinese gamelan and I don't listen to it regularly, but I can definitely nod my head and go "Yeah, I totally respect people who play or enjoy it."

It just seems very small-minded to me to rag on an entire genre of music, or to claim that something "isn't music." Rap employs a ton of skill, ferocious rhythms, thumping beats*, a mastery of language and an ability to rhyme. Of course it's not all good, but it's certainly music. And it's fine not to like rap, I mean hey, maybe it's just not your cup of tea. But to marginalize and belittle something you just don't like... well... I can't respect that.

BTW, his isn't completely directed at you, indiepunk, it's partially a response to your comments and partially a general expression of annoyance I have with "rap isn't music" people. If you're thinking "Hey, I never said that!" then I'm probably aware of that too, no worries.

*And remember, drums are one of the most universal and basic forms of music around the world

Actually, a lot of rappers do write their own lyrics and this is also why a lot of lyrics are personal/strange. As for the music, a lot of them get a producer to do it all for them/with them and most of them don't get the credit they deserve but I still don't see why rap isn't music. There is rhythm with sound and vocals...what do you call this?

Also, can you please not call people jackasses for not agreeing with you?

Sorry about that (e). I'm an asshole, and I apologize. I wasn't saying it wasn't music there. I just got bored. Anyone remember "Young MC". Now THAT was rap music!

What ever happened to Hajonus