Rap: Is it Music?

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squirrel dog

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
5,564
48
91
To some people rap would be considered music.Chanting seems more like it to me,like the monks do.
 

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
Originally posted by: GroundZero
Originally posted by: Spac3d
Originally posted by: dcpsoguy
I am talking about 99% of rap: THE VAST MAJORITY.

Tell me of a rap song that has a noticable melody, maybe some strings, guitar: I dunno.
Are you a retard? A guitar? There is PLENTY of music that doesn't use stuff like guitars. Making beats is just as difficult as using your thumb on some strings.

You obviously know nothing about rap.

show me a rapper that has a real instrument
Wow, some people are incredibly ignorant.
Depends on what you consider a "real instrument," but The Roots, Justice System, and Spearhead all have full bands. I don't listen to too much hiphop anymore, but I'll post more if I remember them.
 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
27,631
5
81
Gangster rap, as it stands now, is not music. However, rap in its original form was definitely a form of music.
 

Music goes beyond what is defined in a dictionary.
It you limit yourself to what is already written, you limit your ability to think.
 

Spac3d

Banned
Jul 3, 2001
6,651
1
0
Originally posted by: GroundZero
Originally posted by: Spac3d
Originally posted by: dcpsoguy
I am talking about 99% of rap: THE VAST MAJORITY.

Tell me of a rap song that has a noticable melody, maybe some strings, guitar: I dunno.
Are you a retard? A guitar? There is PLENTY of music that doesn't use stuff like guitars. Making beats is just as difficult as using your thumb on some strings.

You obviously know nothing about rap.

show me a rapper that has a real instrument

Keyboard's aren't instruments? They do create a lot of the beats for rap. What about synthesiers? Turn tables? They are all real instruments.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
rap isn't music? they're all foul-mouthed? go listen to jurrasic 5
 

relaxandreflect

Senior member
Jan 28, 2003
493
0
0
Originally posted by: SammySon
Music goes beyond what is defined in a dictionary.
It you limit yourself to what is already written, you limit your ability to think.

wow, that was the most profound thing i've heard today!!!!
 

ggavinmoss

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2001
4,798
1
0
Originally posted by: GroundZero
Originally posted by: Spac3d
Originally posted by: dcpsoguy
I am talking about 99% of rap: THE VAST MAJORITY.

Tell me of a rap song that has a noticable melody, maybe some strings, guitar: I dunno.
Are you a retard? A guitar? There is PLENTY of music that doesn't use stuff like guitars. Making beats is just as difficult as using your thumb on some strings.

You obviously know nothing about rap.

show me a rapper that has a real instrument

Is Acapella music?

-geoff

 

kmac1914

Golden Member
Apr 2, 2002
1,030
0
76
Originally posted by: TheShiz
it seems this topic comes up at least once a month. to simply generalize that all rap music is the same and it is all crap or whatever is an act of extreme ignorance. There is melody in a lot of rap songs, and not all of it is just foul mouthed poetry. Actually why am I even responding to this, if you really want to know something about a subject, how about researching it and listening to a variety of rap music, not just what is on the radio, then come up with a conclusion. This isn't even worth my time.

I agree with this 100%. I fail to see how in any way you can claim to be referring to "99% of rap" when you obviously have not been exposed to very much more beyond the current radio pop that constitutes 'hip-hop lite' right now. As several people have already said, there are plenty of rap songs with instruments, melodies, and all the other things that you feel rap doesn't have just because you haven't heard it in the latest Nelly song on the radio. It's one thing for people to say that they acknowledge rap is music, but just isn't their cup of tea--i feel the same way about the majority of rock and country--but its a whole different story for narrow-minded clowns like you to try to discredit something because you don't like it.
 

yowolabi

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
4,183
2
81
I understand. I can understand that being narrow minded and uninformed, there is a constant need to find others like yourself to agree with you and validate your opinions.

Your first mistake is to make generalizations of rap. Rap can be anything from freestyling without music to a full band like the Roots who are accomplished musicians. Many different sounds and instruments can be used to accompany the lyricist.

Second, the mistake is made of saying "99% of rap" or "No rapper ...." and other false statements which show that your dislike of rap is a reflex and that you've haven't listened to much of the thing you're trying to criticize. Arguing about something that you're ignorant of is pointless and is the sport of fools and trolls. What can you possibly add to the debate and from what base are you arguing if you haven't done any research on the subject you're arguing? It's like me reading an article about flying a plane and then going to debate with pilots.

Go make an effort to listen to many different rap artists and songs and then come explain in detail why you don't think it's music. Can't stand it enough to do that? Fine. Stay quiet about it and don't start flamebait threads about it at least.
 

jaeger66

Banned
Jan 1, 2001
3,852
0
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Originally posted by: Spac3d


Keyboard's aren't instruments? They do create a lot of the beats for rap. What about synthesiers? Turn tables? They are all real instruments.

Please. A turntable is not an instrument.
 

jaeger66

Banned
Jan 1, 2001
3,852
0
0
Rap can be a valid form of art, music, and expression. The problem is that so much of it is not. There is too much trying to cash in on an image. That is why it connects with black youths, and why white kids listening to it are probably just idiots who want to annoy their parents.
 

stormbv

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2000
3,446
1
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Yes it's music. It has rhythm, it has lyrics, it's music. I had an old white guy for a music professor who agreed that rap was music. At least he had an informed opinion.
 

ndee

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
12,680
1
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Originally posted by: dcpsoguy
Here's a question that enters my brain quite a few times a day: Why is rap considered music?

Rap is simply foul-mouthed poetry with some random sound effects. There is no melody, no noticable chord progressions, or nothing that would even be considered music.

Thoughts?

can't you guys just accept that there are people who enjoy this kinda culture? "Is country music?" Same stupid question. Check my sig.
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
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hell no. many sample some music in an attempt to glean some true artistry off others though:p tis sad.


having a chick sing a few notes everyonce in a while while u blather on doesn't make it music either.
 

murphy55d

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
11,542
5
81
Originally posted by: jaeger66
Rap can be a valid form of art, music, and expression. The problem is that so much of it is not. There is too much trying to cash in on an image. That is why it connects with black youths, and why white kids listening to it are probably just idiots who want to annoy their parents.

Yeah, that's why I listen to rap. To annoy my parents. Brilliant deduction, Sherlock.
rolleye.gif
 

GRagland

Senior member
Oct 7, 2002
677
0
0
Originally posted by: dcpsoguy
Here's a question that enters my brain quite a few times a day: Why is rap considered music?

Rap is simply foul-mouthed poetry with some random sound effects. There is no melody, no noticable chord progressions, or nothing that would even be considered music.

Thoughts?

You are completely ignorant when it comes to rap music. 99% of rap is not played on BET or MTV. Where have you heard rap besides tv and the radio?? If all you have heard is the mainstream crap they play then i can see why you may not like it. I have listened to many kinds of music, and the most CREATIVE and INTELLIGENT music i have ever heard is rap.
 

jaeger66

Banned
Jan 1, 2001
3,852
0
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Originally posted by: murphy55d

Yeah, that's why I listen to rap. To annoy my parents. Brilliant deduction, Sherlock.
rolleye.gif

Well, you are from Altoona. That means that the good rap from the early 80's is just starting to show up on the daily stagecoach. Wait a few years when stuff from the 90's comes in...all you needed to be was fat to be a famous rapper.
 

Sunner

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
11,641
0
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I'd say no, not cause I don't like it(well I don't, but that's not the reason I don't considder it music).

I considder plenty of music I don't like music, and there are many extremely talented instrumentalists playing lots of music I don't like.

A few examples of music I dont like:
Any Jazz, I have an immense amount of respect for alot of jazz musicans, I just dont care for their music.
Some variants of metal, say Slayer, with one or two exceptions, I hate their music, but still, noone in their right mind would deny that they are skilled musicans.
Mozart, well I dont dislike it, it's just not my thing, but...what can I say, it's Mozart, if I need to explain why that's music Im gonna lose whatever hope I have left in humanity.

Stuff I don't considder music:
Techno, any and all techno.
Rap.
Britney, BSB, and other crap like that.

To me, a large part os what makes music is intrumental, and Rap tends to be quite lacking there, though granted not as bad as techno.
As for borderline stuff such as synths, well, I'll say it can be a good addition to other instruments, but in itself...I'd hesitate to call it music.
And writing a beat is no more music than me tapping my finger on my desk.

Just cause something has a rythm doesn't make it music.

Culture on the other hand, absolutely, Rap is most definately some form of culture, just a rather wierd one.