So, why do people like rap/hip hop..whats to like about it?

Question

No dumb answers...I really am serious. I want to know what makes hip hop and rap so popular. Ive tried listening to it, I even downloaded a heap of stuff but its still just AWFUL! What is it that attracts people to it? Why is it all about shooting people, fuc**** women, hitting women etc...whats so interesting about it?

Answer 1

beats me...people see it as ghetto poetry, i see it as crap.

Answer 2

People listen to rap for the same reasons people listen to rock, jazz, country, etc. Either A) they like it, B) they can relate to it, C) it makes them feel good, D) they can dance to it, or E) all of the above.

I do understand why people come up with that kind of conclusion about rap; that's all you see on TV and hear on the radio. But for the most part your opinion, like most everyone else's that claims they hate rap, is very one-sided. It's based on only one dimension of the genre (the vastly negative and stereotypical mainstream rap that's force fed to us on a daily basis) instead of the genre as a whole. Not all rap is like what you see on TV or hear on mainstream radio stations. If you were willing to dig a little deeper into the genre, you'd discover that not all rap emphasizes materialism, misogyny or is filled with profanity. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of hip hop artists out there who don't fit the "cookie cutter rapper" mold and talk about subjects other than sex, drugs, money and murder. For example:

- A Tribe Called Quest
- Little Brother
- Mos Def
- Talib Kweli
- Common
- De La Soul
- Dead Prez
- The Roots
- Madlib (and his alter-ego, Quasimoto)
- Five Deez
- Ugly Duckling
- Slum Village...(and plenty more)

Unfortunately, you'll rarely find any of those artists in the mainstream media because good ol' Corporate America has flooded the market with whatever "trend du jour" makes them the most money as opposed to actual talent, variety and substance. That's what the real problem is.

Answer 3

It's all a matter of perspective. I think it's usually a bit tenuous to dismiss an entire genre as having nothing to add to the art canon simply because you don't like it. To me, tracks like Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's "The Message" are outstanding. Indeed, some of the more militant rap also has an integrity and inner beauty that gives it an undeniable merit (eg, early Public Enemy).

People are probably attracted to it for similar reasons that people were attracted to the folk music in the sixties - it's often relevant, it often has something powerful to say, it's genuinely emotive, and it's something that can be related to by a marginalised community in a way that evokes the feeling "this is just for me".

Answer 4

Think about it this way, everyone is different and everybody likes different things. If you like Country not all people will agree with you. Rap and Hip-Hop became popular because the corporations saw that there was money to be made in what used to be an underground phenomenon. Like any kind of music, if marketed correctly and excessively there will be "Pop" music or Popular music because people will buy and follow the "Pop" culture.

Answer 5

Not all hip-hop is violent and misogynistic. I like De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Arrested Development, Jurassic 5 etc. Very creative and intelligent lyrics.
I think most of the so called gangsta rap that is popular today is a load of cr@p though and relies on it's shock value to sell records.
It's all about personal taste though, if you just don't like it there's not much you can do about it.

Answer 6

The beat and rhythm are quite enticing. It's just poetry to a beat. I love it. Some people despise it. A lot of rappers do degrade women, and it's sad, but a lot of hip-hop has positive messages too. I suggest you look up KJ-52, and if you like something softer and beautiful, you know, with a melody, listen to Nappy Roots-Po' Folks, or the Souljahs.

Answer 7

Naaaawwww..Datz a Dumb Question...
U must not kno Hip-Hop history....if u dnt like d ones on right now listen 2 old ones 4rm ppl like....Afrika Bambaataa,Tupac, Notorious BIG, Dj Kool herc, gandmasta flash, the fugees, Ice cube, Ice T, eazy-E, Snoop Dogg,

Those ppl and more 4rm a long time ago r the real Hip-Hop...
check this website out....real Hip-Hop
yup i kno Hip-Hop has gone loco...but .....

Answer 8

I think it's cause it's straight foward without any meaning and usually ghetto people listen to this because well, it's not very educational.

But the beat is what keeps them listening. It's good to dance to and the rhythm. i guess

I'm not really into rap and hip hop that much. but that's my guess.

Answer 9

While the lyrics to a song are a major dynamic to that genre of music there are also others. People like it for the obvious...there is something about it that they like!!! Why do you like the music you like? <> This is because it is what you like and your opinion is your opinion. Unfortunately (and I'm really serious) it is not "The World According to Alamahara" OR "The World According to dont*shout".

I hope this helps.

Answer 10

I'm old school, and enjoyed some of the older stuff, Run DMC, Boyz to Men, etc. It had a smoother, mellow, bardic kick to it, that worked ok...when it turned into gansta rap crap, I got out of it, when all they can do, is cuss, berate people, and shoot each other, that's not music anymore....that's a waste of airspace.

Answer 11

I've pondered this too. I think the music, for some, reflects status and makes the listener feel they are part of this culture. Some of the older stuff was ok, and artists like Gil Scott-Heron were brilliant!!!