Has hip-hop and rap lost it's meaning and true message?

Question

All you see now on MTV and BET is nasty vidoe hos, grills, eye-blinding bling, and 24 inch rims. What ever happen to "The Message"? What ever happened to talking about the issues that are really happening to the Black community now. Why has rap/hip-hop gotten so materialistic and pointless? Why have women in hip-rap only been reduced to hos, baby makers, baby mamas, and acessories?

Answer 1

I totally agree. Hip Hop used to be about black black empowerment and neighborhood pride. Any one who thinks rap music has never had a positive message has not been listening to it for very long. Gangster Rap became popular because they were talking about the negative things that were going on in there neighborhoods because they wanted to change them, not glorify them. But the controversial aspect of the music resulted in record sales. **** Tha Police was about the unfair treatment of inner city youth. The unfair treatment resulted in this song. they would not make a song about something like that back then for money! So the whole rapping about what ghetto your from became what was popular and labels started to cash in. But now rappers have money so that's all they have to talk about. Most people want the stuff that they have so that is why they listen to it. And most people like to be spoon fed and music is no different.

Answer 2

I agree whole heartedly. Rap has changed alot. I'll tell u the main reason why it has changed. O.K. its all about sales right now. Its all about standards and how high people set them. Lets say ur a rapper. You're just now coming out and ur having fun. You get all the attention, cars, houses, interviews and so on. You go platnuim in ur first album. Everything is going great. Some time finally passes and now ur under pressure. In order to keep the things that u have u have to come out with a cd. U see before, it was easy to make music because u were enjoying urself. Its not the same when ur music goes from being ur passion to ur job.

But thats not the whole thing. A lot of rappers, sorry to say, are not as educated. Most artists that actually make it, make it on luck, connections, or real skill. Real skill isnt always there for some, only s select few really kno what their doing. If u were a producer and u asked someone would u be interesed in the music industry. They would jump at the chance because they know its money involved. There just looking for the immediate gratification that they have money and not realizing the big picture which was the first paragraph. This is the exact reason why my name is Armageddon. It Means the war to end all wars, the ending of something bad and the begining of something good. If u put it into hip-hop it means that I plan to take out as much (bad) as possible and try to bring back what we really used to call rap and hip-hop.
This is just a summed up version of what I know. But everthing I know is to much to put into this. Im coming out with a book " Hip-hop, the days till the end". I'll be able to tell You everthing you need to know about the this subject. But tell u what, you can email me if u want to ask me more questions.

Answer 3

Yes! Yes! and Yes! Pretty insightful for such a young lady. I can say honestly that I am a child of hip hop/rap.......Rap emerged during my adolescent and its ascent in the music world (although I have absolutely no musical skills :)) I take pride in and ownership. My generation did that! And to look at where it is today, especially after so many ppl doubted that rap would last, and tried to make sure it didn't last. We fought through all the negativity and made hip hop a mainstay. The only thing I can compare it to is the Civil Rights Movement....so many Black ppl sacrificed and fought for our rights and today look at what we've done w/that progress......We are moonwalking towards eradicating all that progress. I still listen to our old skool rappers and there has yet to be a new rapper that has grabbed my attention in a positive way..........and that's very disappointing.

Answer 4

Since when did you listen to music to hear a message and have your life changed? I personally turn on my stereo for entertainment. If I wanted a inspiring message I would turn on the gospel station or something.
This line of argument could extend to all genres of music, where is the "message" in rock? Where is the "message" in country?
Music is for entertainment, you are obviously not entertained by rap so you should try other genres. I for one enjoy listening to rap and could care less about the "message" or lack thereof.

Answer 5

yeah i agree,way too many ho's in the videos.
it looks like the only thing they care about now is looking fly and having there ho's.i agree of they cout back on some of the stuff it would have more meaning to it.
the music is still cool though

Answer 6

I don't mean to offend anyone, but when has hip-hop and rap HAD a meaning or true message?!

Answer 7

You should listen to Common,Talib Kweli,and Lupe Fiasco.Oh yeah and you should listen to rappers from Virginia i.e.,Pharrell,Roscoe P. Coldchain,Fam-Lay,etc. They aren't bad.

Answer 8

It never had a meaning or a message, it's just music

Answer 9

i agree wit u...only some rappers send messages in their lyrics, but they're not that popular

Answer 10

*gives standing ovation to Esoteric*

Please give that man "Best Answer!" I couldn't have said it better myself.