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!

[Aznees]

There’s nothing wrong with disliking modern rap, I don’t like most of the mainstream stuff personally, but it doesn’t mean it’s “not music.” Saying rap is suddenly bad this decade is stupid considering there’s been vapid, shallow rap songs being made since the 90's. Good rap still exists, you just have to go looking for it. I don’t see a problem with the lyrical content, drugs and sex have been a mainstay in music as early as the 60's not just exclusive to rap, while money has been a major theme in hip-hop since the genre's inception and depression is a generally broad theme in music, but I can understand not liking modern rap songs about it because they feel more whiny than depressed.

But that’s just me.

[-V-]

It's more poetic than a lot of pop, I think. Not as poetic as a country song, though.

[76561198344401750]

Цитата допису Paradox:

Цитата допису 𝓜𝓪𝒚𝓪:

Today's Rap?

Rap has always been trash.

Huh?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9uEtplq6CI

Exactly what I said.

[aiden]

Цитата допису -V-:

It's more poetic than a lot of pop, I think. Not as poetic as a country song, though.

For sure, a lot of unknown artists have some awesome stories to tell. I don’t think that artists who are making millions and millions of dollars a year need to “sing” about nothing.

Post Malone has stated that he travels the lands, searching for things to add to his story (i.e his albums). His songs contain mostly lyrics with a deeper meaning; a lot of his songs can only fully be understood after multiple listens and reading some reviews. Take Feeling Whitney, for example; definitely not mainstream.

He is not the only one, but he is the first that comes to mind that, for the most part, doesn’t rap in the “mumble” style mentioned above. Nothing like lil Pump, at least.

[aiden]

Цитата допису Scrourm:

There’s nothing wrong with disliking modern rap, I don’t like most of the mainstream stuff personally, but it doesn’t mean it’s “not music.” Saying rap is suddenly bad this decade is stupid considering there’s been vapid, shallow rap songs being made since the 90's. Good rap still exists, you just have to go looking for it. I don’t see a problem with the lyrical content, drugs and sex have been a mainstay in music as early as the 60's not just exclusive to rap, while money has been a major theme in hip-hop since the genre's inception and depression is a generally broad theme in music, but I can understand not liking modern rap songs about it because they feel more whiny than depressed.

But that’s just me. :trump:

I see your point, so let me clarify a bit, mistake on my part.

Take a look at the lyrics to XXXTENCION’s (or however you spell it) song ‘iloveitwhentheyrun’

The amount of swearing and content in that song is absolutely insane, even for someone “pushing the limits”

[[FFK3] Trovaa]

Answer to the title: Yes, pretty much anything can be defined as music if people listen to it as music, as art is subjective.
Which is why "not real music" is just a stupid term

I have no idea why mumble rap or bass heavy rap is so appealing other than the beats being good. I do really like Tentacion since he can go from more harsh bass-heavy stuff to more calm stuff. He's just got a huge ego and ♥♥♥♥.

There's very few people with "Lil" or "Yung" etc that I know of that actually make good music, but after Lil Peep died I found out about him and he was actually a hidden gem.
I think most of them put "lil blah blah blah" as their name cause it's easier to get popular that way. It's pretty much just a trend at this point.

oh btw OP
these are a few good artists you should check out if you're getting into rap

Joyner Lucas
Samsa
RapperAtlas
Rich Chigga (more modern rap style but still talented)
Hopsin
Tech N9ne
Drunken Tiger
Boyinaband
Khary (amazing rapper)
Khai Dreams

[bearsboi]

sure, but it isn't talented music

[aiden]

Цитата допису Gremblygunk (Trovaa):

oh btw OP
these are a few good artists you should check out if you're getting into rap

Joyner Lucas
Samsa
RapperAtlas
Rich Chigga (more modern rap style but still talented)
Hopsin
Tech N9ne
Drunken Tiger
Boyinaband
Khary (amazing rapper)
Khai Dreams

Thanks man! I'll check them out.

[Sirens]

If you think Rap is barely considered a genre of music, then you would probably have a stroke if you've heard of Harsh Noise.

[aiden]

Цитата допису DeadSirens:

If you think Rap is barely considered a genre of music, then you would probably have a stroke if you've heard of Harsh Noise.

Just listened to about 10 seconds of this; sounds like something I would laugh at in a s***** ROBLOX game

[Flavor]

no

[Chemistara]

I would like to say that it's music, but a VERY bad one.

Ofc i'm probably biased since the fact that i like Instrumental-Orchestral the most

[Martlet]

No. It sounds like crap. Like what Stan heard in that South Park episode "You're Getting Old."

Yet everyone in my school just loves it and blares it.

[[FFK3] Trovaa]

Цитата допису Omabear:

sure, but it isn't talented music

no such thing mate

[Aznees]

Цитата допису Mexhe:

Цитата допису Scrourm:

There’s nothing wrong with disliking modern rap, I don’t like most of the mainstream stuff personally, but it doesn’t mean it’s “not music.” Saying rap is suddenly bad this decade is stupid considering there’s been vapid, shallow rap songs being made since the 90's. Good rap still exists, you just have to go looking for it. I don’t see a problem with the lyrical content, drugs and sex have been a mainstay in music as early as the 60's not just exclusive to rap, while money has been a major theme in hip-hop since the genre's inception and depression is a generally broad theme in music, but I can understand not liking modern rap songs about it because they feel more whiny than depressed.

But that’s just me.

I see your point, so let me clarify a bit, mistake on my part.

Take a look at the lyrics to XXXTENCION’s (or however you spell it) song ‘iloveitwhentheyrun’

The amount of swearing and content in that song is absolutely insane, even for someone “pushing the limits”

I can agree that 50ish swears in a 3:48 long song may be a bit excessive and not everyone’s cup of tea but I personally don’t think swearing is that big of a problem considering how aggressive hip-hop is as a genre.