ok, let's get this subject of rap out in the open

[bpdp3]

Here's where I risk all new-wave credibility...

The two genres (new wave and rap) both 'came of age' in the 80's - - though rap is obviously still around and many of us would agree new wave as a musical force ended in the mid-80's.

Both genres used/abused the latest technology (new wave - synths, early drum machines) (rap - drum machines, sampling, the whole notion of turntablism).

No-one can convince me that my first listen to Public Enemy's "It takes a nation of millions" was not as earth-shattering as my first listen to "never mind the bullocks". And forward-thinking rap artists like De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, etc etc were as interested in taking their genre further, same as the amazing post-punk groups of the early 80's.

Sure, most of the rap we hear today is formulaic and uninspired....it's designed as SINGLES for young kids who listen to the top 40. Just like many of the early rock singles of the 50's eventually became formulaic and uninspired. But there are still innovators; every year some rap release catches my ear (this year it was Dizzee Rascal).

Yes, I'm white and pushing 40 and maybe don't have much business listening to rap but I'm still inclined toward strange/foreign music, just like when I was 14 in '80.

No, you're not a closed-minded jerk if you think rap is garbage. But I would like to hear what other new wave oddballs like myself really think of the whole genre and why.

[KMFDM10000]

I too do not like Rap or Hip-Hop. My best friend of the same age just loves it and drives me nuts when I am in her car becasue she will turn from a station playing a song I like and she will surf the dial incessantly until she finds the loudest, most ann

[WoodlandParkPunk]

My problem with rap is what is has become. It is so oversaturated within our society and has the "thug like" mentality. I can appreciate it's inner city origins but as a middle class white man, age 38, I can't relate to the music at all. What really confu

[bowiestation]

Thank you for not considering myself to be a "close-minded Jerk" .Rap in it's infancy(Curtis Blow,Grandmaster Flash 1979-80) was somewhat interesting and innovative.However,I never realized it was going to turn into a full blown assault that would permeat

[devildog]

As I have stated in another topic on this board, rap had potential when it first busted out in the early 80's, but it has simply degenerated since then. The "thug" mentality crippled any credibility it may have had. The only reason adolescent boys are a

[Cheetos]

[quote]Originally posted by bowiestation
[br]I would concede that some would look at me as an ignorant redneck considering I'm from

[LadyLazarus]

I am a fan of some underground hippy hop. Recently I've been into Del Tha Funkee Homosapien and I'm also keen to check out Sage Francis and the Anticon label. Any of that old school stuff like Run DMC, Sugar Hill Gang, and Grandmaster Flash keeps me with

[oneno]

Rap was originaly an acronym (although most don't know it) for Rhythm Accopella Phonetics. Some music scholar in the 60's used it to explain some of the doo-wop of that time frame.Break dancing electric bugaloo stuff, kids spinnin around on cardboard on t

[unguarded moment]

Okay, this is what I disdain about Rap in general. There is no melody. Yes, I realize that there are exceptions, however few, but Rap is all about beats and rhythms. There isn't even any singing, just talking and shouting. Even the music, when there i

[christsmasher]

I might be one of the few exceptions here who actually enjoys some rap. I'm pretty fussy about what I listen to, and I also bust some rhymes myself.

Somewhere along the line, I'll admit, Rap music lost the plot. As a white female, I have some trouble

[randy]

As usual, I will be short and sweet. No matter how you look at it , rap sucks. Call me close minded--fine--I do not care. Check out 10 seconds of any rap video-they are all EXACTLY the same.

I read an interview with Jay-z (stupid ass names) which aske

[KYYX4ever]

Man, you guys just took all the good words right outta my mouth !

I agree with your points. Rap/ hip hop today has become a whole different animal than it was with Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel, and even Public Enemy. That was actually p

[christsmasher]

That's cool that you like that stuff. You gotta be picky in the electroclash genre, a lot of it is pretty crappy.

Not to get off topic, but Miss Kitten has a new record out, anyone heard it? My friend saw her play in Barcelona last week and said it w

[1981baby]

there are literaly hundreds of underground (non commercial rap, mostly on indie labels) acts who are still innovative and have been carrying the tradition of the native tongues (de la soul, a tribe called quest, jungle brothers), public enemy, krs one, et

[Frayo]

Old Skool rap is cool.

new skool sucks. When you have to put lots of hot chicks baring as much skin in a video to sell a song...you have sunk to the pits.

(this is off topic)
Now hot chicks are cool et al. There were plenty at our party last night.