Post by Ceci on Apr 29, 2007 15:25:39 GMT -5
I heard the comments from "Mad Radio" specifically dealing with the meaning of rap music. And respectfully again, I have to disagree with the comments said that the genre of music is something that could not be understood. Here's the reasons why.
1)Rap music discusses conditions in the inner city. It's not so much about discussing only "drugs" and "violence". It is giving a voice to people who wouldn't have any other way to express themselves on these issues because the politicians don't listen. Mainstream America does not listen. And of course, when it comes to what dignitaries of color say about race, economics and social disparity, people ridicule them and vent their spleen about what they say (check the comments about Reverends Jesse Jackson, Sr. and Al Sharpton for this).
2)It is a historical art form that has stretched back from the late 70's, which began with Grand Master Flash and Mellie Mel and Whoudini. When rap began, they discussed what was around them and it took off into other art forms. I think that there are older people among us who cannot forget the historic partnership of RUN DMC and Aerosmith when they combined to record "Walk This Way". The other famous song comes from Grand Master Flash and Mellie Mel when they did "White Lines" a song about Cocaine, its use and the repercussions of what happens.
It caught on so much that during the time, Blondie did their famous song, "Rapture" in the early 1980's. Deborah Harry raps in the song.
3)We have to look at who listens to rap. Of course, it is assumed that only people of color listen to it. But most of the people who buy rap records are white, suburban kids. Why is that? Could it be that they are disaffected in some way and that rap reaches out to them in ways that the politicians can't? The other thing is that it shows that rap is far more influential to the larger popular culture than what it is made out to be.
4)This does not mean that I condone the degredation of women and people of color in the genre. I have other opinions why. But right now, I would like to focus on its message and what it presents in the larger context. And the larger context here is giving a voice to the people. When the dominant culture does not listen to its sub-cultures, somehow the only way to get through to the larger culture is to do it through song. Just like Billie Holiday sung about lynching in her signature tune, "Strange Fruit", rappers back in the day and in the present deal with the unspeakable subjects in society and how they feel about it. This is especially the case when they use rap as a way to speak about politics and society, openly using beats and music to criticize what is going on.
5)Lest we forget people like Eminem, Limp Biskit and the Beastie Boys among other musicians who have used the genre for their music due to its popularity. Even people like Madonna ("Vogue"), Nelly Fortado ("Promiscuous"), Fergie ("Fergilicious"), Gwen Stefani ("Wind it Up"), Good Charlotte ("Little Things") among others have used rap in their song to accentuate the message they were trying to present. So, this genre is not only relegated to one type of musician. It has influenced a whole generation of muscians who have not only made music, but has incorporated the spoken word into the presentation of their songs.
In short, rap is not as unintelligible as people make it out to be if they look at it.
Just my .02.
What does everyone else think?
1)Rap music discusses conditions in the inner city. It's not so much about discussing only "drugs" and "violence". It is giving a voice to people who wouldn't have any other way to express themselves on these issues because the politicians don't listen. Mainstream America does not listen. And of course, when it comes to what dignitaries of color say about race, economics and social disparity, people ridicule them and vent their spleen about what they say (check the comments about Reverends Jesse Jackson, Sr. and Al Sharpton for this).
2)It is a historical art form that has stretched back from the late 70's, which began with Grand Master Flash and Mellie Mel and Whoudini. When rap began, they discussed what was around them and it took off into other art forms. I think that there are older people among us who cannot forget the historic partnership of RUN DMC and Aerosmith when they combined to record "Walk This Way". The other famous song comes from Grand Master Flash and Mellie Mel when they did "White Lines" a song about Cocaine, its use and the repercussions of what happens.
It caught on so much that during the time, Blondie did their famous song, "Rapture" in the early 1980's. Deborah Harry raps in the song.
3)We have to look at who listens to rap. Of course, it is assumed that only people of color listen to it. But most of the people who buy rap records are white, suburban kids. Why is that? Could it be that they are disaffected in some way and that rap reaches out to them in ways that the politicians can't? The other thing is that it shows that rap is far more influential to the larger popular culture than what it is made out to be.
4)This does not mean that I condone the degredation of women and people of color in the genre. I have other opinions why. But right now, I would like to focus on its message and what it presents in the larger context. And the larger context here is giving a voice to the people. When the dominant culture does not listen to its sub-cultures, somehow the only way to get through to the larger culture is to do it through song. Just like Billie Holiday sung about lynching in her signature tune, "Strange Fruit", rappers back in the day and in the present deal with the unspeakable subjects in society and how they feel about it. This is especially the case when they use rap as a way to speak about politics and society, openly using beats and music to criticize what is going on.
5)Lest we forget people like Eminem, Limp Biskit and the Beastie Boys among other musicians who have used the genre for their music due to its popularity. Even people like Madonna ("Vogue"), Nelly Fortado ("Promiscuous"), Fergie ("Fergilicious"), Gwen Stefani ("Wind it Up"), Good Charlotte ("Little Things") among others have used rap in their song to accentuate the message they were trying to present. So, this genre is not only relegated to one type of musician. It has influenced a whole generation of muscians who have not only made music, but has incorporated the spoken word into the presentation of their songs.
In short, rap is not as unintelligible as people make it out to be if they look at it.
Just my .02.
What does everyone else think?