It fucking bugs the shit outta me. Seriously, a bunch of guys running around claiming that none of the other guys are "gangstas" and they are the only "tru gangsta" when none of them are even close to being a "gangsta." It's fucking derogatory, promotes people to possess firearms when they aren't even capable of rational thought. And more! Its fucking useless.

There is some intelligent hip hop out there. Paris, A Tribe Called Quest, and Arrested Development stick out in my mind right now, but I'm sure there's others. The lot of mainstream hip hop (mainstream music in general, really) is absolute dreck, but you shouldn't dismiss an entire genre because of it.

Rap / Hip-Hop = OK
Gangsta Rap = VERY NO

Mandi-Hop = WORD!


But, really, Tribe and Arrested Development are teh awesome. Sara, you amaze me sometimes.

I'm listening to Arrested Development right now, occasionally closing my eyes and imagining the Mandi Dance.

Have you heard Paris? I'll make you a CD if you haven't.

Good god. A CD? They still have those?

Posted by MutantMandias Good god. A CD? They still have those?

I had to check to make sure, but yes, they can still be found in some cars.

To be honest, most of the stuff you have mentioned here, I have not heard of and I am making it a point to listen to some of it. I was just ranting about all the shit I hear while walking down the halls of my highschool.

I'll just stick to old rap like Run DMC and Gheto Boys.

I hate this racist term "intelligent rap" as though rap is by nature an unintelligent genre. It's as if you're saying that other forms of music out there are inherently smarter. You never hear people say "intelligent rock" or "intelligent pop" which is pretty ridiculous considering 99% of the lyrics in those particular genres only seem to deal with a) falling in love, b) having your heart broken or c) dancing. What I find derogatory, is the idea that rap *needs* to be "intelligent" (whatever the fuck that means) in order to be taken seriously by white people. I'd really love to see how some of your favourite non-rap albums stand up to your own high standards of intelligence.

Also, listening to Arrested Development and complaining about "gangsta rap" are both so 1993.

*Turns up Chumbawamba*

Posted by Glass *Turns up Chumbawamba*

My stereo goes louder than yours.

Posted by Glass Rap / Hip-Hop = OK Gangsta Rap = VERY NO

Werd, yo.

Posted by micro I hate this racist term "intelligent rap" as though rap is by nature an unintelligent genre. It's as if you're saying that other forms of music out there are inherently smarter. You never hear people say "intelligent rock" or "intelligent pop" which is pretty ridiculous considering 99% of the lyrics in those particular genres only seem to deal with a) falling in love, b) having your heart broken or c) dancing. What I find derogatory, is the idea that rap *needs* to be "intelligent" (whatever the fuck that means) in order to be taken seriously by white people. I'd really love to see how some of your favourite non-rap albums stand up to your own high standards of intelligence. Also, listening to Arrested Development and complaining about "gangsta rap" are both so 1993.

I don't like ANY music that glorifies bling, guns, and the objectification of women. And I do refer to a number of bands and artists I listen to as "smartypants music".

I was trying, really trying, to come up with more for this. Then, I realized I can't possibly take you seriously if you're going to insult me for listening to older music.

Sorry, should've said that giving Arrested Development as an example of "intelligent rap" is so 1993. Never was a fan of their half-baked spirituality driven hippy crap, and it pains me to have to hear their name brought up in a conversation today about what counts as good hip-hop.

micro. This is for you.

Posted by micro I hate this racist term "intelligent rap" as though rap is by nature an unintelligent genre. It's as if you're saying that other forms of music out there are inherently smarter. You never hear people say "intelligent rock" or "intelligent pop" which is pretty ridiculous considering 99% of the lyrics in those particular genres only seem to deal with a) falling in love, b) having your heart broken or c) dancing. What I find derogatory, is the idea that rap *needs* to be "intelligent" (whatever the fuck that means) in order to be taken seriously by white people. I'd really love to see how some of your favourite non-rap albums stand up to your own high standards of intelligence. Also, listening to Arrested Development and complaining about "gangsta rap" are both so 1993.

...But there is intelligent rock and pop. Give The Decemberists i listen. Rap doesn't need to be intelligent, but when the subject matter is just downright stupid (guns, objectification of women, cars, etc.), there's a problem. I like rap smart (Sage Francis, Atmosphere).

...But there is intelligent rock and pop.

I'm not disagreeing with you, which is why I used the figure of 99%. Not that I have a problem with dumb music. In fact, sometimes dumb can be quite fantastic, especially when it involves musicians who are smart enough to not let their intelligence get in the way of a good song.

Give The Decemberists i listen.

I have, and I don't mind them when I can tune out the lyrics. I enjoy folksy music and literature, but I really hate it when bands try to combine the two. It's a bit of a buzz-kill, you know?

Rap doesn't need to be intelligent, but when the subject matter is just downright stupid (guns, objectification of women, cars, etc.), there's a problem.

Why? The objectification of women and cars (and occasionally even guns) have been common themes in popular music for the last half century and let me tell you it's made for some pretty fantastic music. Christ, take away all the songs that involve the objectification of women out of a list of the 500 greatest singles ever and you'd be left with a pretty short list. Ditto for songs that were deemed offensive by some do-gooder at some point or other.

So why is this only an issue when rap is involved? Why can't rap be as stupid (in the good sense) as other genres out there without someone getting all uppity about it? There's a total double standard, and it's one that existed long before rap entered the scene.

I like rap smart (Sage Francis, Atmosphere).

I like rap that's good. If it's "smart", then whatever, it's just gravy at that point. I can listen to good music with bad lyrics, but I really can't listen to bad music with good lyrics.

Atmosphere.

Posted by Sara Bellum I don't like ANY music that glorifies bling, guns, and the objectification of women. And I do refer to a number of bands and artists I listen to as "smartypants music". I was trying, really trying, to come up with more for this. Then, I realized I can't possibly take you seriously if you're going to insult me for listening to older music.

but it bumps so nicely from the trunk... unless your license plate, decklid, wing and exhaust rattle so bad you can't hear it.


Samurai

*pumps up Jurassic 5, cues Paris " break the grip of shame " ....

there's much to hip hop, even some of the gangsta stuff is well written....i agree with the 'my knob is bigger than urs rap' is lame but take most of it with a grain of salt....

maybe its the ppl at ur school who are listening to it suck and u associate the music to that type of person ? just asking..