Why do people get the wrong idea about rap music?

Question

All they think it's about is bitches and hoes and drugs and shooting....so tell me your point of view.

Answer 1

As someone who's not a fan of rap (just 'cause I'm more of a rock kinda guy, I do respect that it is an artform), it's mostly because that's the image that's presented by a few of the more successful artists. A lot of the hit videos and singles seem to hold pimping, excessive jewelry, alcohol, etc in high regard. Granted not all rap is like this, and there is a lot that is positive. Just like any form of music, there are all different varieties with all different messages, but it's the success of the few that create the public image for the rest, even though they don't necessarily represent them.

Answer 2

Some is, and most isn't. There's some very intelligent rap out there, much of it in the underground and some of it in the mainstream too. Unfortunately, some of those artists who get the most exposure are the ones who base their music around sex, drugs, and violence, and the media's tendency to give these artists more coverage doesn't help out rap's cause.

The best way to prove anyone wrong about a sterotype like this is to introduce them to the artists with intelligent lyrics and sophisticated beats (i.e. Ghostface Killah, Murs, Soul Position, The Roots, MF Doom, etc.) They'll quickly realize they're mistaken.

Answer 3

That's mostly what I have seen of rap music. When I turn on MTV, I see black men with guns, surrounded by black women wearing hot pants, giving the men lap dances (btw, this is a fabulous message to give to young women!).

Sometimes, the image you choose to project is the one that people actually believe about you. If rappers wanted to have a different image, they could try switching things up a bit - maybe wear pants that fit (I have to assume there are a couple of guns hidden in there), or smile while they're "singing", instead of scowling all the time (they don't give an impression of 'nice'). Like that Jewish rapper (I forgot his name)...You don't look at him and think "thug", because he dresses like a Jewish guy, not a criminal (man, I'm sure I'm offending someone with that sentence - no offense intended, btw).

At any rate, that's my perspective, for what it's worth!

Answer 4

Most of the songs are about that stuff. Name five rap songs in the secular world that doesn't talk about that stuff. I just don't have a high opinion of that genre of music. Those bad rap songs ruined the good ones. I also don't like the fact that every week, some new person of the street is the hot rapper. Anyone can talk fast with music in the backround.

Answer 5

A lot of the lyrics discuss those topics, at least the "popular songs" do. Also rap music, for the most part, does not take as much talent as other forms of music. For the most part, it is just someone talking over a computer generated drum beat.

Answer 6

people sometimes just believe what they hear or see. like in rap videos you have girls that are barely dressed dancing around and you have guys that are like staring them down and just wann get them home. then if you listen to the lyrics you hear things that don't sound right like these days you can hear most rappers rapping about someone else, drugs, and most of all sex. sex sells these days. so people tend to be judge by what they see and hear and just assume that everything of that kind is like that so yeah. there are only 2 genres in music that face this problem which is rap and metal. but to get into metal is a whole different story.

Answer 7

i love straight forward, Mos Def, and Talib Kweli. i imagine that's because they are better huge-spread and performed on mainstream radio. I agree that there is a few quite reliable rap music which couldn't just about b****** and hoes and how a lot money they have and the vehicles that they stress. yet regrettably it really is what looks to promote and be promoted. I understand what you're saying.

Answer 8

I think rap music is da best!(After Death Metal ofcourse) But it's the bomb! I haven't met many ppl who hate or get the wrong idea about rap yet! All the people I know love it!(Well, most) Anywayz, rap music is really good! <3

Answer 9

didn't like rap period...some have catchy beats like ridin', but 90% of rap songs contain some sort of suggestive themes that shouldn't be included in music and if you are gonna include them...slow down so we know what you are saying so we don't need lyrics to follow along (which is easily done with classic rock)

Answer 10

I just don't care for the hip hop/rap style of music. Has nothing to do with the lyrics.