RAP - ******s Attempting Poetry?

[VirtualG]

Whats your view on RAP? (dont just think about the basic and crappy american gangsta rap, think more like Australian Hip Hop or Brit-Rap) Do you like it or hate it? Me, personally, I think it depends on teh artist...

[cocaine]

rap is a form of music in its own, you cant really say that its "attempted poetry"

and i do like the odd bit, not overly keen on it though.

[FlyingJesus]

Slander of the highest form tbh, some rappers are far better than any "typical" poet. I know a lot of them act like they're a bit gone in the head but that doesn't take anything away from their talent - Nas is one of the smoothest lyricists when he's got a microphone and a beat, but somehow when you stop the music he doesn't seem to have a clue what he's talking about or where he's going. Does the way he lives his life affect how well he rhymes and gets a message across? Not at all.

Also I don't get why you're saying not to think of gangster rap but go for British stuff.. most British rappers I've heard are absolutely terrible and either just imitate gangster rappers or put on that annoying London accent to copy Dizzee Rascal and talk about how hard they are - it's the same but without guns and without as much talent tbh. Two rappers well known for being involved in gang violence, Biggie Smalls and Tupac, are among the greatest lyricists the industry's seen.

[LuketheDuke]

I think Rap can be used as a very powerful way to convey messages.

I know that doesnt happen too often nowadays but in the past the likes of Zach De La Rocha from RATM and groups like Public Enemy are prime examples of generating potent political messages through the medium of their music.

Saying that 50 Cent sucks big time.

[Arch]

Slander of the highest form tbh, some rappers are far better than any "typical" poet. I know a lot of them act like they're a bit gone in the head but that doesn't take anything away from their talent - Nas is one of the smoothest lyricists when he's got a microphone and a beat, but somehow when you stop the music he doesn't seem to have a clue what he's talking about or where he's going. Does the way he lives his life affect how well he rhymes and gets a message across? Not at all.

Also I don't get why you're saying not to think of gangster rap but go for British stuff.. most British rappers I've heard are absolutely terrible and either just imitate gangster rappers or put on that annoying London accent to copy Dizzee Rascal and talk about how hard they are - it's the same but without guns and without as much talent tbh. Two rappers well known for being involved in gang violence, Biggie Smalls and Tupac, are among the greatest lyricists the industry's seen.

I didn't know anyone on this forum liked Nas lmao.
Anyways yeah most british rap is terrible (havn't heard much but what i have heard is pretty awful). Although in a way its hard to compare a poet to a rapper you can still make many connections. Although now-a-days there aren't as good rappers/hip-hop artists there are still some decent ones. As for Tupac and Biggie yeah they've changed the industry forever, but for 2pac he had great lyrics in his songs and good messages and w/e but for freestyling he wasnt that great(although freestyling, and writing a song on paper is totally different). But yerr i dunno now all u hear is ****** music from Lil wayne and don't get me wrong his older stuff was good but now music is so ****.

We need more biggie, nas, vinnie paz(JMT/AOTP), and immortal technique.

[le harry]

Hilltop Hoods & Bliss n Eso are great. Poetry or not.

[Soy]

Old school rap was all about the lyrics, current rap seems to be all about the melody and sound

[Arch]

Old school rap was all about the lyrics, current rap seems to be all about the melody and sound

that actually sounds about right,
although id pick old school over the stuff now
i dunno if its just me but cars, girls, and money isnt all i wanna hear
repeated over and over with a different beat. It might sell
but its ****.

[Blinger1]

i dunno if its just me but cars, girls, and money isnt all i wanna hear

You forgot drugs and guns.

[FlyingJesus]

Might I ask what you do want to hear? "Old school" rap is more likely to be gangster rap than current stuff as these days a lot of people just rap about how rich they are, and there's still plenty of lyrical genius out and about. Chamillionaire has a new album out this year and he's great with his words, Raekwon supposedly as well although I'm not holding my breath for that one as it's been due for years. Club hiphop like Soulja Boy and Flo Rida obviously isn't gonna be too deep and lyrical as it's ringtone music and just about the hook, but rap has a long way to go still before it can be declared dead

On the note of lyrics, what do rock singers usually have their songs about? Metal tends to be just about destruction and hate even though they live fairly normal lives really, so they're fakes, and most rock music is just the same love song reinvented