Is it just me or has Rap music gone to the dogs?

Question

I being from NYC living in the inner city, and growing up in the 80's and 90's naturally grew up listening to rap. In those times when rap music wasn't mainstream, the music was about something. Be it an outcry of the horrendous poverty and discrimination minorities grew up around, or just having fun and letting your voice be heard.

With the onset of gansta rap (I once liked but now despise because I matured) is when things started to go downhill.

Hate, violence, degradation of women, selfishness, greed, and all other decadent behaviour associated with most, not all, rap music.

African Americans (heck any music of African descent like salsa for instance) have been very creative and contributed significantly to music..However in my opinion this last contributions-rap music-is a detriment to our society.

I can't stand it, it literally makes my blood boil. Worst still cause I'm still in the "hood" and this is the cRAP that everyone listens to.

What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

The only good hip-hop album to come out this year was Lupe Fiasco. Hopefully he can bring the substance back to it.

Answer 2

I hear you. it's like it went to the dogs and then some idiot went and let the ******* dogs out.

and it's sad because there is so much potential for it to be a creative form that really has room for a lot of different kinds of expression.

there are still dudes out there making great rap music, but it's sad cuz not many people listen to them. people prefer the trash as long as there's some booty shaking in the videos.

but what makes it even worse is that rap music is on top of the world right now. it is the king of pop music, and it dominates the scene. I fear that what that means is that in 7 years everyone is going to be embarrassed about that horrible racist sexist greedy commercial garbage that represented such a gawdawful period in fashion and music that no self-respecting person will be caught dead having any rap music in their collection.

so all the people who are doing it for real are going to be even more lost and forgotten.

Answer 3

There is actually a movie about that. Rap used to be about social issues and everyday life in the inner city for the average person. the beat, the hooks. It was all real. It was our culture. It was upbuilding. All black women were queens or nubian princesses.
Taken from parties and placed on the radio, movies, television, everywhere. Now, my daughter listens to music that degrades humanity. Especially us. It has become a big money making colossal commercial titanic.

Answer 4

I feel you fully, compadre! I dig rap a lot but I can't help feeling that that art-form is taking a steep nosedive.

In the good old days, it had meaning and substance.

But nowadays, there are too many clowns saying what people want to hear.

Take the transition of Ja rule as a case study: he started out street and now he's doing silly duets that demean women and promote materialism.

So I listen to the sort of rap I want. I don't have to be "current".

Answer 5

I went off rap in the 1980s

though in comparison the message of most current rap songs is hos and drugs and prison

a good tune for all our children to be singing yes?

When I listen to 80s rap it is all about making the best of a negative situation, current rap is about persecution and retribution in prison, and who has the most drugs and the most hos.

All my criticism of rap music will accomplish nothing, I hope some will go back to rap music's roots

Growing up in the ghetto and making the best of yourself

Answer 6

I agree with you, rap music only speaks about half nake d women, hustling, or how they are so gangsta, but these rappers rap about things they know. They represent the streets of where they grew up. We need more rappers like Will Smith, Mc Lyte, or Queen Latifah.

Answer 7

My thoughts are that rap music isnt the only music to be worried about. Also their are still many rappers who rap about real s hit. But if you look at how this world is turning lately...it's not suprising to me that it shows in todays music. Society influences music and vice versa.

Answer 8

Rap/Hip Hop is evolving; expanding it's fan base, at the same time and consequently, losing most support from the traditionalists.

Answer 9

I have to agree, most (but not all) of hip-hop and rap has changed significantly. Most (but not all) is about slapping some ho, getting some @ss, getting some head, getting high, or shooting someone. It's definetely not how it used to be....... I like the beats though.

Answer 10

I totally agree. The rap music of today does not stimulate the mind in any way or promote anything positive. It does, however, ensure that there will forever be plenty of individuals walking around our wonderful country believing that sex, drugs, and alcohol...oops, and we must not forget "bling"...are the keys to success. Quite sad!