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Whatever. The continued existence of rap, which reached its peak with the album "Toys in the Attic" is something really mystifying. I suspect it has a lot to

Whatever. The continued existence of rap, which reached its peak with the album "Toys in the Attic" is something really mystifying. I suspect it has a lot to do with the ability of completely untrained, possibly even tone-deaf, "musicians" making albums whose appeal seems mostly about attitude. It's obnoxious, it's hyper-masculine, it can't be listened to quietly, etc--and everyone can do it, if they, personally, have those same attitudes. There's appeal in that. So, what? Maybe if sampling was completely illegal, they'd have to start over by renting a clarinet and playing scales. That's a bad thing? http://www.theonion.com/articles/new-rap-song-samples-billie-jean-in-its-entirety-a,4389/ http://www.theonion.com/articles/new-rap-song-samples-billie...

GuiA 13y ago
"I don't get it and I don't get why other people would enjoy it so it must all be terrible."
benched 13y ago
Ok, this is the most idiotic Internet comment I've ever responded to, but here goes. Rappers are more akin to poets than musicians, the way you are using the word musician. The musicians in rap are called producers - they make the backing tracks. The appeal includes: complex technical rhyming, nuanced delivery ('flow'), vignette painting, storytelling, wordplay including numerous puns, double-entendre, and punchlines, some backing tracks are actually epic, or especially funky, i.e. they have merit as music. You apparently disapprove of the subject matter. Would you level the same criticism at movies like Scarface, Goodfellas, or The Godfather for the same reasons?
- stan_rogers 13y ago
  You're arguing that the poetry is legitimate. Fine. Let it stand on its own. If it needs music to make it work, then make the music as well. If it needs somebody else's hit music to make it work, then maybe -- just maybe -- it can't quite stand on its own. That's not questioning the merit of the genre, but the merit of individual pieces.
  - chasing 13y ago
    You're making a common fallacy when talking about artistic genres... "Bad rap exists, therefore rap is bad." I probably don't need to explain why this is misguided. Also: Rap is not poetry. It borrows elements from poetry, but it also borrows elements from public speaking, sports, preaching, and good old-fashioned conversation. Amongst other stuff. It's a different thing. It's its own thing! Rap! Why am I having to explain this to people on Hacker News?
  - benched 13y ago
    poetry legitimate Yeah, lemme just go check with the Poetry Oversight Council. I got a cousin who's on it, and he's a true scotsman, so I think I'm gonna win this one. While I'm at it I'll ask them what art is, 'cause I heard some people were curious about that.
Tycho 13y ago
It's actually an intensely 'skills' focussed genre. Hiphop heads spend far more time arguing about the technique of rappers than fans in most other genres. That said, it facilitates the expression of certain attitudes and moods that you tend not to hear in other music. Listen it classical to feel serene. Listen to rap music to feel like a badass.

GuiA 13y ago

"I don't get it and I don't get why other people would enjoy it so it must all be terrible."

benched 13y ago

Ok, this is the most idiotic Internet comment I've ever responded to, but here goes. Rappers are more akin to poets than musicians, the way you are using the word musician. The musicians in rap are called producers - they make the backing tracks. The appeal includes: complex technical rhyming, nuanced delivery ('flow'), vignette painting, storytelling, wordplay including numerous puns, double-entendre, and punchlines, some backing tracks are actually epic, or especially funky, i.e. they have merit as music. You apparently disapprove of the subject matter. Would you level the same criticism at movies like Scarface, Goodfellas, or The Godfather for the same reasons?

stan_rogers 13y ago
You're arguing that the poetry is legitimate. Fine. Let it stand on its own. If it needs music to make it work, then make the music as well. If it needs somebody else's hit music to make it work, then maybe -- just maybe -- it can't quite stand on its own. That's not questioning the merit of the genre, but the merit of individual pieces.
- chasing 13y ago
  You're making a common fallacy when talking about artistic genres... "Bad rap exists, therefore rap is bad." I probably don't need to explain why this is misguided. Also: Rap is not poetry. It borrows elements from poetry, but it also borrows elements from public speaking, sports, preaching, and good old-fashioned conversation. Amongst other stuff. It's a different thing. It's its own thing! Rap! Why am I having to explain this to people on Hacker News?
- benched 13y ago
  poetry legitimate Yeah, lemme just go check with the Poetry Oversight Council. I got a cousin who's on it, and he's a true scotsman, so I think I'm gonna win this one. While I'm at it I'll ask them what art is, 'cause I heard some people were curious about that.

Tycho 13y ago

It's actually an intensely 'skills' focussed genre. Hiphop heads spend far more time arguing about the technique of rappers than fans in most other genres. That said, it facilitates the expression of certain attitudes and moods that you tend not to hear in other music. Listen it classical to feel serene. Listen to rap music to feel like a badass.