Please explain the "attraction" of Rap.?

Question

Why is it so popular? Most rap is not even music. It is just someone yelling poetry with some sound effects in background. Also, why are there so many shootings in the rap "culture?" Can't the various artists get along like artists in other musical genres? You don't hear of Mick Jagger driving by Paul McCartney's house and opening fire. You don't hear of Willie Nelson walking in a bar and beating the crap out of Toby Keith. What gives?

Answer 1

The attraction of rap like any other music form is subjective. How many of the people answering this question like opera but yet it's a viable music form so simply because you do not care for a particular music form never question it's right to exist. Yes while Paul McCartney never pulled a drive by on Mick Jagger can we call Keith Richards the poster boy for responsible behavior In the early days of rock and roll Beefs existed between many of the artist for instance Little Richard being gay bashed, There was supposed to be quite a riff between Jerry lee Lewis and Chuck Berry and of course The King of Rock and Roll himself was known to ruffle a feather or two himself. But this nonsense we see between rapper is mostly corporate driven. We have artist with little to no talent but they can portray the look that goes over in music video and sell sneakers and jeans and if one can do this well he/she will be given the keys to the kingdom I'm sure some of you may have seen this happen Ice-Cube, Queen Latifa, Ludicrous and of course Snoop Dogg. So today we have so many disillusioned you men and women that don't want to be artist they want to be famous and they will do anything to get there (brings new meaning to "By any means necessary" )Those born around 1958 were shown images of law and order, doing the right thing and strong family values today with fragmented families and get rich or die trying mentality this is why we see what see in the entertainment industry. I was there for the birth or hip-hop and this was not what was perceived in the beginning (typed while I listen to Miles Davis)

Answer 2

Its all about what you grew up with and if you can relate to the words. Good rap is about the struggle on the streets. Theres shootings in the hip hop culture because most of the rappers still got ties to the streets and gangs. The reason you dont see other geners artist shooting each other is because most other geners artist never came from a childhood where their father left before they were born, thier mother was a drug addict, they had to live in the housing cause they had no money and they didnt have nobody shooting at them just cause they live in the wrong block or know the wrong person.

Answer 3

I honestly cannot stand rap/hip-hop/r&b. No, it certainly is NOT my cup of tea. The odd, and few tracks I do enjoy, and don't mind some and recognize the talent (less than 1% I'm talking here). However, I think some of the videos are hilarious (like, 'embarassing' hilarious) and find it ridiculous how they protray themselves and what the are ranting about. And do the people who love this stuff really buy into all the stupidness?
Maybe the song might be great, but the video has been seen a million times over. Slut girls, cars you can't afford, clothes that don't fit either sex, grills, booty, bling, and bull ****!
If I could gag and roll my eyes even more I'd start to bleed.
Great, now I'm 'dis-re-spekin'.

Answer 4

First of all, just because some of it rhymes, that doesn't make it poetry by a long shot.

The simple answer is that rap was created by people who could not sing, for people who could not comprehend music. The back beats and samples are supposed to provide simple, rhythmic pulses, mocking the natural body's patterns...sounds that appeal to the subconscious. That's why listening to it makes you feel 'zoned out', because it's a basic form of hypnosis. That's what creates the culture.

Rap eats our brains.

What's more, the thug life culture is perpetuated by the music because it fosters primal instincts - tribal behavior e.g. gangs and shootings, theft, degrading women, etc. If you watch the primitive tribal chants of undeveloped nations, they involve simple drum-beats, jumping up and down, and bragging about their conquests, their tribe or themselves.

Before calling me a racist, please understand what I am saying: That rap culture fosters and creates a modern-primitive culture where base human instincts are brought to light. This has nothing to do with ethnicity and everything to do with reversion to primal, tribal instinct...at the root of every human's psyche...which is anarchical, anti-civilization.

Are there talented and worthwhile artists out there who produce quality rap/hip-hop music? Of course! But they are few and far between. For the most part, the music begets the message which begets the lifestyle. It's a self-perpetuating, self-destructive cycle.

Answer 5

It's the BASS that people love...lots o' bass

I doubt Paul McCartney or Mick Jagger came from a tough upbringing...Most Rappers are speaking from a rough childhood...their families are still living in the neighborhoods where dodging bullets is as common as tying your shoes....

Answer 6

Rap appeals to all the other rebellious people that think life is better if you are humiliating, ripping off, or degrading other people. Rap is appealing to people that want to go through this life and get everything for free and then brag about what they have. Rap is appealing to people who really don't get what a productive member of society is. Sure rappers make a lot of money and spend a lot of money.......but actually, they are getting their money through fraud. By fraudulently convincing teens and thought challenged people that the rapper has talent and getting these people to spend money on their so called music. Rap doesn't take talent, it only takes a person that can talk.......lot's of people can talk, very few are really saying anything.

Answer 7

Good beats...but I'm referring more to hip-hop, I guess. A Tribe Called Quest is more hip-hop/rap, but the lyrics are very positive. Black Eyed Peas and The Roots are pretty good as well.

Answer 8

Sorry, I can't really tell ya. I can't stand it myself. I don't even get why it's so popular. Everyone in my house except me listens to it. To me most rap is crap. All they sing about is drugs, sex, and their cars theirs only some my ears can even stand, But what I thing the attraction is the fact their sing about crap they(and regular peolpe) can't and probably don't have unless it's fake. Oh yeah and so women can shake their fat asses(scary). Not to mention most rappers are ulgly anyway.

Answer 9

It is the Music of Streets, didn't you grow up in the Hood!! the people in the Hood made hip hop what it is Today.

Answer 10

It's either you have it or you don't and you don't have it it's not for everyone...

You listen to what you want and don't try to figure out my culture it's more to Rap/Hip Hop then what you see on TV