Is Hip Hop vs. Rock really the issue? Or are people using that as cover for the real issue: Black vs. White?

Question

Come on now, we might as well face it. Hip Hop is black oriented and Rock is white oriented. I've seen alot of these questions where people bash the opposite genre but I dont think thats what this is really about. Anybody with common sense knows that a debate over which race is better than the other would be politically and morally wrong. I feel, that people are subconciously using Rock and Hip Hop as a substitute. There's just somethings where the line between Black and Hip Hop gets hazy, the same goes for Rock. I remember comin up I with argue with Rock (white) fans and they would mock me and my boys by saying in a fake black accent, "yo yo yo, my brother whats up?" and do this exaggeratted walk and cross their arms. Me and my boys in return would put on a "surfer boy" accent and say, "Totally dude, righteous man, gnarly waves!" and violently shake our heads while pretending to play a guitar. See what I mean?

I'm talking about the rock fans who go into the hip hop section to tell us "it sucks" and vice versa.

Answer 1

I feel your pain…however…

I don't think it is about race. The new Millennium is a far cry from the 1950's, for example.

All rock originates from the blues - which is as Black as it gets! It is ironic that it takes a band like Living Colour to remind us that rock comes from Black Blues. But when Black Sabbath did it, the world closes its eyes to that fact! Bless Clapton for paying homage to the roots!

That would also mean that any genre that vaguely resembles pop and rock 'n' roll, or even jazz - has a Black origin! Jimmi was/ is the finest representative!

And while I'm at it - electronic music probably has the strongest beat of African origin that I can think of!

I seriously think:
People are sick of modern rap and R & B because of the quality (unsatisfactory, to put it mildly) of music that mainstream record companies dish out in this Millennium.

Mind you, there is good, modern hip-hop out there - but how many people are exposed to it? I have seen hip-hop DJs recently. Phenomenal (but underground/ unknown)!

As for rock - considering the mainstream choices out there - discerning kids would rather pick rock over rap. Yes, mainstream radio rock isn’t that great either – but that brings me to my next point…

But sadly, what most people are unaware of is - hey - popular music isn’t just American! There is phenomenal World Beat music out there. There is phenomenal European rock music out there!

If only they knew - then perhaps they’ll see that they need not be annoyed by the record company’s poor choices of music. We can then concentrate on loving good music - instead of warring over bad music (yes, I dare say there is such a thing as 'bad').

Answer 2

It's totally a cover up for Black vs White. I've seen the comments when a White person posts a question like "Rap or Rock?" The deluge of answers leaves no doubt in the readers' minds as to their true feelings on race. It's too bad rockers think that only White people feel emotions and can express them in music. I try to have an open mind by listening to every kind of music there is. Not saying I like it all, but I try...

Answer 3

I do not determine whether or not I like a song based on the race of the person singing. I don't quite understand why people have to continue dragging racial points into EVERYTHING. Not every single event is race related. Living Colour is a great rock n roll band of the 80's and you know what, they are black. On the same token, Eminem is white and I never really cared for him. So it is not the individuals, it is the style of music. Some prefer rap, others prefer rock.. and shoot, some even prefer classical!

I think you need to drop the racial quirks and learn to understand that someone enjoying rock music, is simply just that... no more no less.There are racist people out there who will make fun of both black and white people, but music certainly isn't the culprite.

Answer 4

I doubt it. It's just the few people on here and another couple in this country. In my school, it's mostly rap and hip hop, with some rock. I can safely say that there are more white people than black people in the school.

Besides, many black people have been in rock bands. White people have been rappers. Plus, rock took great influence from the blues in the beginning, which was ultimately a "black" genre. During the beginning, we had a couple rock 'n' roll artists that were black (Little Richard, Chuck Berry, etc.). The greatest guitarist to ever live--Jimi Hendrix--was black. Living Colour was a band of entirely black people. There is also Lenny Kravitz.

Answer 5

I think you make a very good argument....you could be right in a sense....though both sides have talented artists of the "opposite" race (Living Colour-Rock; Eminem-Rap), I think sometimes people on both sides fail to appreciate the art in both genres....I'm white, and though I'm rock to my soul for the most part, I hold many Hip-Hop, R & B, and Rap artists in high regard and love their music. Music of any genre is special in it's own way, and the artists who perform these songs should be given the same amount of respect throughout...after all, not everyone is or could be a musician...it's a special gift and talent not everyone is blessed with.

Answer 6

It's not a black and white issue. It's a culture issue. Hip hop culture was birthed and nurtured in the black community. Black kids grew up listening to it and have a much deeper appreciation and understanding of it as an art form than those who did not grow up in that culture.
The same goes for rock.
Personally, I think people who are so shallow that they feel the need to go bash someone else's musical tastes have unresolved issues that need to be addressed. Music is subjective.

Answer 7

Why do African Americans always think its a racist issue? I remember when African Americans thought Michael Vick was being picked on because of being black (What has beating dogs have to do with being racist) I honestly think blacks overuse whites are racist there are white racists but there aren't as many in the modern day. I just like rock it has nothing to do with the people who sing it I cant really dance to rap And they have a curse word within every 10 words.

Honestly I don't have anything against blacks but the way they use whites are racists is sometimes irritating

I really dont think it has anything to do with race Im the only kid in my class who likes rock everyone else goes for rap
(I'm not white or black just to add I'm puerto rican)

Answer 8

I think Rock and Hip Hop/Rap have nothing to do with race. The rock band Living Colour is black. Kid Rock and Emienem are considered Rap. Run DMC did a song with Aerosmith,a rock band. I personally prefer Rock not because I'm white, but because I just like it.

Answer 9

it isnt about Black vs White. There are black Metal people like Mike Smith from Suffocation, awesome drummer. Then there are white rappers like Eminem.
Its not about Black vs White.
They are just 2 different genres that people are into, the thing is, when people get into either of the genre, they tend to relate it to the other one saying their's is better, so therefore, it seems like a dispute, which it really isnt. Its just rock lovers saying rap sucks, and rap lovers saying rock sucks.

Does it even matter to you?
let em be, listen to Rock 'n' Roll and be happy and have a great life. Screw everything else

Rock forever my friend
cheers!

Answer 10

I am not racist, but i don't get into rap. Sure i like some rock , but i like other genres as well. Being a musician (guitarist) has taught me that talent has no limit on race, BUT i'm a little more open minded than your average "White dood Rock Fan" ...that's just me. I can't / won't speak for rock fans of today , cause mostly the new stuff is crap. I can also declare that some black musicians have influenced and inspired me in my musical endeavors, i come from a period where - it doesn't matter what skin color you are , if you're a good musician , i love ya.