Is today's "rap" even music?

[aiden]

Before I rant, this is NOT a thread dissing rap music. It's more of a personal vent to see how many people agree/disagree with me, and for me to maybe get a better understanding of the genre.

This guy at my work is always playing rap music. Artists like Lil Pump, XXX TEN and Lil Zan. I don't really understand the appeal of it, though. The lyrics are always (give or take a select few songs) about drugs, money, sex, or depression. It's not just the lyrics, either; these guys literally promote smoking as much dope as humanly possible, even if it kills you (cough cough Mr. Peep)

As a fyi, I mainly listen to 2k, alt rock, and indie, and sometimes EDM. I have also been getting into classic rap: B.I.G, Puff Daddy and the like. The first thing I noticed was the difference in the beats. Today, all you need to make rap is a good drum and kick, maybe bass, and a voice mod. To me, there really isn't any originality in the music, if I can put it bluntly.

Now, I do like some of the songs by Post Malone, and artists who really pour their heart and soul into making sure that the lyrics are original and have meaning behind the words. I don't see the point of even writing a song if the lyrics are going to be (literally):

"D Rose D Rose D Rose D Rose D Rose D Rose D Rose D Rose"

With a earrape bass in the background. Points to XXX, who can't keep his d*** in his pants.

Also, I want to point out that the majority of listeners to this music is not adults; it's kids. Not that Green Day had great music for kids way back when, but today the most common phrase in rap that I have heard is "I f**k a b***h" or something else about drugs or sex or money or disrespect. I love cursing in music just as much as the next guy, but not every line.

As a side note, what's with the names?! Is throwing 'lil' or 'yung' in front of a random word the name that you want people to refer to you by?

So, if someone wants to help me understand the true meaning behind these artists, their music, and their image, please comment below!

[Jonathan Sensei]

Rap music has always been "that genre" of music. That genre being the scapegoat for anything music-related that people consider to be bad.

I was never a fan of rap but it was never as bad as people made it out to be. As for today's rap music? Same deal, new singers. If you don't like it, don't listen to it; that's what I do.

[Alpha]

There has always been a lot of bad music I think. Stuff that just doesn't sound good. That isn't inspired. I'm not too familiar with those rappers you mentioned, but I have heard some new stuff that really didn't sound good or mean anything.

[Y2k Crispy]

Different strokes for different folks. If you don't see the appeal then you just don't. There's nothing more to it. Music is subjective my man.

[John Doe]

The thing that's closest to rap I listen to while kind of enjoying is old school 80's Chicago hip-house. Rapping over synth beats, some cool songs in that genre. It's well beyond dead though.

[Dyne]

Yes. It is.

/thread

[aiden]

İlk olarak John Doe tarafından gönderildi:

The thing that's closest to rap I listen to while kind of enjoying is old school 80's Chicago hip-house. Rapping over synth beats, some cool songs in that genre. It's well beyond dead though.

Sounds like a lot of rap today has even lost the synth. At least, what I have heard.

İlk olarak CrispyChris ✿ tarafından gönderildi:

Different strokes for different folks. If you don't see the appeal then you just don't. There's nothing more to it. Music is subjective my man.

I respect this. I do enjoy some of the songs that have a story to tell, like Chum by Earl Sweatshirt.

[Manic Jorge]

Even when I tried rap years ago it was real, a lot more real than this stuff now a days. These kids lie in songs

[bonks]

There's a couple bangers but most are pure crap

[Manic Jorge]

Even then the bangers aren't what they used to be

[Manic Jorge]

Back in the day rap was a black only thing now its moved to a everyone who's unintelligent thing

[aiden]

İlk olarak Manic Manager Jorge tarafından gönderildi:

Even when I tried rap years ago it was real, a lot more real than this stuff now a days. These kids lie in songs

I'm not sure if they see the bigger picture. Kids are taking these lyrics to heart, especially these days, when role models are scacer than ever. Not all rappers are like this, I'm sure, as well.

[aiden]

İlk olarak Manic Manager Jorge tarafından gönderildi:

Back in the day rap was a black only thing now its moved to a everyone who's unintelligent thing

I get your point, but I think it's less of a racial thing and more the idea. Some of the stories tell stories that can't be expressed through "regular words"

[Manic Jorge]

İlk olarak Mexhe tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Manic Manager Jorge tarafından gönderildi:

Even when I tried rap years ago it was real, a lot more real than this stuff now a days. These kids lie in songs

I'm not sure if they see the bigger picture. Kids are taking these lyrics to heart, especially these days, when role models are scacer than ever. Not all rappers are like this, I'm sure, as well.

İlk olarak Mexhe tarafından gönderildi:

İlk olarak Manic Manager Jorge tarafından gönderildi:

Back in the day rap was a black only thing now its moved to a everyone who's unintelligent thing

I get your point, but I think it's less of a racial thing and more the idea. Some of the stories tell stories that can't be expressed through "regular words"

I agree. I feel it may just be this generations thing

[Ves]

It’s not music. Now it’s mumble rap. Good rap ends with eminem

[Manic Jorge]

İlk olarak Gr8dient tarafından gönderildi:

It’s not music. Now it’s mumble rap. Good rap ends with eminem

Eminem is alright