and why is there so Much Cursing? New Wave isn't really Dirty and R and B and Regae isn't either. Why is Rap so GRAPHIC?

Because in that world, alot of young boys are taught,or they have seen thats what makes a man.

I and some of the other hip hop orgers could play you hours of hip hop that has nothing to do with any of those topics.....

you just have to know the good artists to listen to....

I have one word for you:

RAKIM.

You should worship at his altar immediately. Now.

Zelaira said:

Cuz you're basically only listening to a certain segment of hip hop.

Zelaira said:

umm that's like saying why is heavy metal/grunge/country only bout sex ,partying and fighting. can't categorize all styles under one lump.

The rap music you hear on the radio focuses on that subject because it reinforces racist stereotypes and makes the white kids from the suburbs feel tough and cool. GREAT rap it is not. Search out for real artists, and you'll find the real music. I second the suggestion of Rakim as a good place to start.

^^^^^ have to agree with voices
Rap has evolved from art to trash
you only have a few talented brothers, Rakim is a good source
Back when i use to love rap, Pac, Biggie ,Rakim Public Enemy etc
they use to rap about Ghetto life and hardtimes
Now-a-days its just sex money and cars

Luv4oneanotha said:

That's not exclusive to the rap culture LOL. Every other hour theres some special on VH1 about the life and times of some rich immature celebrity living it up.

Tom said:

you have a point too
maybe its just Pop culture in general?

Pick up sum:

Talib Qwali

COMMON (especially Electric Circus)

Kanye West (good start)

Outkast: Stankonia / Speakerboxx-Love Below

Cee Lo Green

even Black Eyed Peas

The Roots

Nas is good at times.

u have 2 look 4 it, because these days, they are not going to play it....sorry. Just bear with us..

you forgot drugs and rampant complaining...

paisleypark4 said:

...Or they won't even release it! I've been looking for that new Q-Tip album for months (years?) and no one knows if it will ever be released because it's so different.

Luv4oneanotha said:

Pac and especially Biggie were a big part of the problem. Pac could bring some depth and Biggie was clever/funny but you can't have it both ways. Pac knew he was livin' foul but didn't have the strength to leave that lifestyle behind. If he had lived long enough there's a chance he would've quit living that lie. He would've had to eventually to survive. Biggie and Puff really ushered in all of that material crap that pervades rap.

Thug life and materialism are topics that have always come up because they are part of life but Pac and Biggie helped bring it to the forefront and it was an easy sell, so record companies jumped at it. They don't care how it affects the youngsters listening.

Rakim is the model. He once lived the lifestyle Pac was rapping about but grew, expanded, and didn't glorify his past. He just told it like it was. (I don't know what he's rapping about nowadays, though).

...among many other reasons, if that's what television & radio continues to show youngsters that’s what they have to do to be acknowledged & successful in this kind of society, they will continue to exhaust those type of things, the cursing, partying & scantily clad women to the max, so although it's a negative message, to the people on the other side, it's a positive one that gives hope to those who can identify living life in such a way, as if that’s all there is & that’s the story that doesn’t end…

Hip hop is just like any music genre....there's more than just one "type" of rap....from Nelly to talib.....

Rock music (was) and is the same way.