"Good" rap? Does it exist?

[imported_bum]

Yes. I think some of the garbage they play on TV and radio gives rap a terrible image. A lot of people are also turned off from all rap because many songs involve "the streets" or drugs and gangs, etc. If you really want to enjoy rap, you will probably have to listen to some of that without immediately judging the music. But I'll find a couple links to good songs that aren't all about those things. (I'll edit them in)

edit: Forget what I said about the content thing, just listen

Wu-Tang Clan - Triumph

2pac - Changes

Nas - One Mic

Bone Thugs N Harmony - The Crossroads

Bubba Sparxxx Deliverance

That's a start, maybe I'll add some later. Finding good videos is sometimes hard.

 

[Alone]

Originally posted by: anxi80
there is no such thing as good rap/hip hop and if anyone tells you differently they're delusional. rap music is in large part responsible for current urban decay and is only corrupting the minds of our youth while it continues on its downward spiral. it teaches our youth to do whatever is necessary to try and make it in this world; whether it be to lie, cheat or steal. if you seriously want to hear good music then i suggest a perry como or hank williams album.

This is your opinion. Keep it that way.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
The closest thing to rap music that I LOVE:

Maxi Priest feat. Robbie Williams - My Culture
Very, very, very good song.

Not Maxi Priest. The artist is Maxi Jazz. This is an interesting and good song, but I wouldn't call it rap. Thanks for posting it. :thumbsup:

 

[thirtythree]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FO9ar-kjUbw -- Don't know how much he's considered rap.

 

[futuristicmonkey]

beastie boys

 

[anxi80]

Originally posted by: Alone

Originally posted by: anxi80
there is no such thing as good rap/hip hop and if anyone tells you differently they're delusional. rap music is in large part responsible for current urban decay and is only corrupting the minds of our youth while it continues on its downward spiral. it teaches our youth to do whatever is necessary to try and make it in this world; whether it be to lie, cheat or steal. if you seriously want to hear good music then i suggest a perry como or hank williams album.

This is your opinion. Keep it that way.

actually i quite enjoy hip hop. but i just felt like playing the role of devils advocate and also decided to try and structure a better argument against rap music other than the worn out 'rap = crap' or 'rap sux!' comments.

btw op, i highly recommend giving mos def a listen. or even better, the roots. great hip hop band that plays with all live instrumentation. ive heard from many a people who detest rap music that they will admit that the roots put on one if not the best live act shows. these guys give 2-2.5 hours a night and tour around 200 days a year, every year. even the media and public voice of the band, the drummer ?uestlove takes his free time to update fans and answer their questions and engage in discussions on the bands web forums. if thats not dedication to the genre, then i dont know what is.

 

[schneiderguy]

Jurassic 5

 

[slackerinabox]

Kudos to you for admitting to not liking rap but giving it a chance. It's good to expand your horizons - sign of an intellectual. Thumps up!

I'll make suggestions in a bit after searching YouTube, but your attitude is right.

 

[flunky nassau]

Originally posted by: anxi80
it teaches our youth to do whatever is necessary to try and make it in this world; whether it be to lie, cheat or steal.

Please don't make a generalization about an entire genre of music unless you know for sure that 100% of all rappers condone this.

Remember, before rap, rock was the devil's music.

 

[slackerinabox]

Deltron 3030
Jedi Mind Tricks
DJ Shadow - Beautiful video by Wong Kar Wai!

 

[amol]

One rap song I like right now is "Starlite" by Panacea

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Mqrqony6SDM

I don't usually listen to rap/hip-hop, but I liked this.

 

[thirtythree]

One more--don't really like the artist, but I like this song/video for some reason

 

[slackerinabox]

Cage - amazing artist on my favorite label (Def Jux)

 

[slackerinabox]

El P and Aesop Rock

 

[slackerinabox]

Mr. Lif - high brow sh1t!

 

[pyonir]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XGufRiMnpGI

 

[slackerinabox]

Buck 65 - soooo good..

 

[Cabages]

I dont understand what the obsession is with 2pac and biggie. Just because there dead, it doesnt make them any better.

I havent listened to too much of biggie, but I can honestly say 2pac isnt all that great.

 

[flunky nassau]

Originally posted by: Cabages
I dont understand what the obsession is with 2pac and biggie. Just because there dead, it doesnt make them any better.

I havent listened to too much of biggie, but I can honestly say 2pac isnt all that great.

You can't deny 2pac's influence on the youth though. But as far as skill (does anyone really care about a rapper's skill anymore?), his rhymes & rhyme structure weren't that impressive.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: thirtythree
One more--don't really like the artist, but I like this song/video for some reason

Not bad.

 

[Kadarin]

A lot of people seem to like certain songs or artists because they like what the artist has to say and/or how the artist delivers his or her message. To these people, the quality of the lyrics is important, and is sometimes one of the most important considerations in determining whether or not the song is a good one. I don't look at music that way... When I hear a song, the lyrics in many cases are really only important in how they sound, as another instrument. I listen to the music, and the music itself may or may not connect with something inside me.

 

[thirtythree]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
A lot of people seem to like certain songs or artists because they like what the artist has to say and/or how the artist delivers his or her message. To these people, the quality of the lyrics is important, and is sometimes one of the most important considerations in determining whether or not the song is a good one. I don't look at music that way... When I hear a song, the lyrics in many cases are really only important in how they sound, as another instrument. I listen to the music, and the music itself may or may not connect with something inside me.

This is a bit off topic, but what's your impression of San Jose State University? Decent reputation?

 

[Midlander]

I don't know who said it first, but I agree:

Rap is to music what Etch-a-Sketch is to art.

 

[wicktron]

Zion I "Fingerpaint" -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8FeB4aITsA
Del The Funky Homosapien "At The Helm" -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G19ASzz9iz4
Atmosphere "Trying To Find A Balance" -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbEwHJX95QE

Just some examples... If this thread lasts, I'll come back with some more.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: thirtythree

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
A lot of people seem to like certain songs or artists because they like what the artist has to say and/or how the artist delivers his or her message. To these people, the quality of the lyrics is important, and is sometimes one of the most important considerations in determining whether or not the song is a good one. I don't look at music that way... When I hear a song, the lyrics in many cases are really only important in how they sound, as another instrument. I listen to the music, and the music itself may or may not connect with something inside me.

This is a bit off topic, but what's your impression of San Jose State University? Decent reputation?

Yeah, that's a bit offtopic I did not attend SJSU, but IIRC it does have a decent rep.