Originally posted by: Fritzo
Originally posted by: Deeko
Why do you listen to whatever shit YOU listen to? I'm sure most rap fans don't consider to "be music" eiher.
There is no "formula" that defines what music is, music is whatever sounds good to you.
Actually, there is a formula. Rap is "music" that has had the melody portion removed, leaving just the rhythm. This style of music was often used in war and tribal ceremonies through history (drums beating, chanting, etc), which is where it's roots are based.
I myself don't care for rap not because of it's sound, but simply because it doesn't really take any formal talent to create musically. There is some skill involved in creating the lyric and being able to read it quickly, but that's about the extent of it. It's a lot like what the Beatniks from the 1950's did- read poems over a beat. The difference is the people playing the beat were drummers and bass players that had to learn how to play an instrument over many years. Today, everything is synthesized and clips are taken from other people's work to provide an artificial rhythm- instant gratification. This creates an environment where talent can be artificially mass produced instead of coming naturally.
So, rap music is music---but only in a very minimal sense. There are formulas for every style of music---it's how we can tell the difference between a country-western song and a polka. We get new styles of music when formulas and theories of two different styles are mixed together (for instance southern rock). Since rap doesn't really have anything to call it's own, it's at a genetic dead end...it can't evolve anymore. This is why many people blame this style of music for the downfall of the entire industry.