<p>im blasting my main man 50 as i read this thread</p>
<p>50 is a lazy excuse for rap. I'm sorry, but he's untalented, riding this "i got shot a lot so im credible" thing way too far, his voice is just irritating, he recycles all his beats, I mean come on. Check out Madvillain - Madvillainy for one example of something new, fresh and REAL. Last year, MF Doom and Madlib got together and produced an incredible, fun, unique album. The beats are an amalgam of 50's jazz and modern hip-hip, it's really incredible. And MF Doom's short, raw rhymes are just plain funny and carefree.</p>
<p>Or look at any and every album by A Tribe Called Quest; their light-hearted political and modern social messages are backed by beats that are purely classic. They are what started so much of what's around today, and they rarely if ever curse and never ever degrade women ("Now my aura's positive and I don't promote no junk"); they're actually INTELLIGENT in what they have to say--you'll actually want to hear what they have to say!</p>
<p>I think most of us are in basic agreement when we say that commercial pop rap sucks. But, people shouldn't only see the commercial rap as the only rap out there. Commerical rap shouldn't be the basis to judge the rap/hip-hop genre. There is still an underground hip-hop scene that have many good rappers. If you live in Houston, St. Louis, Philadelphia, or Chicago (I'm pretty sure there are many more cities with great rappers, but these are the ones that I'm familiar with) you should check out the underground scene for new talent. Go to an outlet store, the flee market, and etc.. A lot of the new talent are staying true to real hip-hop, hopefully if they become well-known they won't sell out and start recording garbage.</p>
<p>does anyone else notice that the same people complaining about how sick they are of rap are the same one's cussing as much as any rap artist does in their songs, yet the people defending some credible rap aren't cussing at all. just thought i'd point that out...not trying to be a (sorry but for the sake of the cliche i have to cuss) smart a ss.</p>
<p>I like older rap. Tupac and Biggie were the best there ever was and will be, hands down. Jayz is okay. I hate 50 and Eminem as well. Eminem's songs are so shallow and just pointless. Ludacris, ying yang twins, game, basically every modern rapper all suck and the idiots who are supporting these people (most of whom are complete idiots and would be working a minimum wage job.. or none at all) suck too.</p>
<p>atomicfusion, way to generalize every fan of pop-rap while at the same time avidly supporting two of the most successful and commercial rappers of all time.</p>
<p>If you actually listened to Tupac or Biggie and then listened to Eminem or Ludacris, you would see why I support Tupac and Biggie. If you would listen to their songs you would see that a lot of them aren't about chicken, waffles, and Atlanta. Just because they were successful and commercial doesn't mean anything. They still had an actual purpose in a lot of their songs and they still knew their roots. And I stick by my statement that almost all modern rappers suck and almost all the fans who "avidly" support them suck as well too.</p>
<p>Outkast is probably the most notable exception.</p>
<p>
[quote]
the rappers all look, sound, and act the same, and it's not even singing!</p>
<p>why can't we go back to 80s music?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>okay, i understand that you're a little frustrated, but you're obviously being exposed to dumb rap. listen to some zion i, common sense, or mos def. </p>
<p>and by 80's music, do you mean ummm...NWA, Kurtis Blow, and RA the Rugged Man? yeah, buddy hip hop started in the 80s</p>
<p>i'll give you a list of rappers you might be able to appreciate</p>
<p>sage francis
atmosphere
common
tonedeff
saigon
aesop rock
goretex
immortal technique</p>
<p>btw, i'm sensing some racism in your manner. chill</p>
<p>listen to some dead-prez. they specifically criticize rappers who are all bling bling.</p>
<p>I like 50 cent, ludacris, etc. Not because I agree with their message or anything, but I find them to be hilarious. The whole point of that kind of rap is to be funny. That is why lil jon actually starts singing in his songs. Talib, Roots, Aesop Rock, Jedi Mind Tricks, I listen to those sometimes but they just cant provide the humor.</p>
<p>I despise rap.</p>
<p>"rap music" is an oxymoron. It's just as bad as emo, punk and grunge <-- no skill 3 chord genres.</p>
<p>Well, everyone, I've arrived. I've haven't been posting on CC for two weeks now, as I had my posting privileges revoked for something stupid that I wrote (I don't even remember what it was, but I know it was completely unneccessary). And during that time, I've been closely monitoring this thread to make sure that no one said anything completely ignorant. But, like I thought was going to happen, we had a couple of posters basically saying how "all rap is bad" and such.</p>
<p>However, I'm out to prove that this is NOT the case. Now, before you jump down the screen to hit the "Post Quick Reply" button, please-- hear me out. And here me out well.</p>
<p>I'm just as sick as everyone else out there of the "money, cash, h0's" kind of greasy rap that quote on quote "mainstream" rappers such as 50 Cent, Ludacris, Mystikal, etc. (the list goes on and on) produce and promote. But what people need to understand is that even the so-called rap "greats" (like the late Tupac or Biggie, as many people have already mentioned) put out these very types of songs: if you have further questions on this, consult the songs "Fair Exchange" and "Ten Crack Commandments", respectively. Even Jay-Z does this, on more than one occasion I might add. While he does have such classics as 22 Two's, he does have such contradictions as "Popping Tags" and "I Love Girls". I personally have a problem with the subjects that many rap songs are derived from, but I can't knock the talent that these people put into their songs. </p>
<p>How can you say that you "despise" an entire genre of music? One that has thousands of songs in it's collection? All rap isn't bad. All rap isn't about blunts and dimepieces. </p>
<p>Now I'm not saying that rappers shouldn't brag a little. That's a part of the hip-hop culture that shouldn't be forgotten about. Good artists can and should showcase their talent and sometimes, the best way to do this is to boast a little. But not like G-Unit.</p>
<p>I propose that we make a list of good rap songs out there to listen to, instead of just rappers who have reputations for clean rap.</p>
<p>Here are a few to get us started:</p>
<p>Jay-Z- Anything (for you)
Immortal Technique- Leaving the Past
Nearly anything from "The 18th Letter", by Rakim</p>
<p>I'll dig up some more too. But everyone else should contribute, too.</p>
<p>"Magic Wand" by Whodini.....Whodini rocks! Wooo 80s rap!</p>
<p>i add to the lsit</p>
<p>Sage Francis: Sun vs. Moon
Immortal Technique: the fourth branch
Atmosphere - God Loves Ugly
Aesop Rock - No Regrets
Aesop Rock - Daylight</p>
<p>Bump</p>
<p>Here's the list so far:</p>
<p>Jay-Z- Anything (for you)
Immortal Technique- Leaving the Past
"The 18th Letter"- Rakim
Magic Wand"- Whodini
Sage Francis: Sun vs. Moon
Immortal Technique: the fourth branch
Atmosphere - God Loves Ugly
Aesop Rock - No Regrets
Aesop Rock - Daylight</p>
<p>I love hip hop. Binary Star put it perfectly...theres the top 40 version of hip hop...aka hip pop, and then theres hip hop. You need to learn to differentiate to appreciate the true nature of hip hop. Heres my additions to the list:</p>
<p>Jay-Z- Anything (for you)
Immortal Technique- Leaving the Past
"The 18th Letter"- Rakim
Magic Wand"- Whodini
Sage Francis: Sun vs. Moon
Immortal Technique: the fourth branch
Atmosphere - God Loves Ugly
Aesop Rock - No Regrets
Aesop Rock - Daylight
Atmosphere - The Woman with the Tattooed Hands
Binary Star - Honest Expression
Black Star - Respiration
Gang Starr - Moment of Truth
Mos Def - Rock 'N Roll</p>
<p>Anything by Public Enemy, but especially listen to Don't Believe the Hype, Bring the Noise, and Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos</p>
<p>update:</p>
<p>Jay-Z- Anything (for you)
Immortal Technique- Leaving the Past
"The 18th Letter"- Rakim
Magic Wand"- Whodini
Sage Francis: Sun vs. Moon
Immortal Technique: the fourth branch
Atmosphere - God Loves Ugly
Aesop Rock - No Regrets
Aesop Rock - Daylight
Atmosphere - The Woman with the Tattooed Hands
Binary Star - Honest Expression
Black Star - Respiration
Gang Starr - Moment of Truth
Mos Def - Rock 'N Roll
Public Enemy- Don't Believe the Hype
Public Enemy- Bring the Noise
Public Enemy- Black Steel
Public Enemy- Hour of Chaos</p>
<p>Jay-Z- 22 Two's
and early 90's LL Cool J</p>
<p>Eminem-STAN</p>