Unfortunately (for Rap), that all I hear everywhere I go. Lyrics that glorify drugs and crime, degredation of women and so on...all played at decibles far beyond neccessary...when a car can be 100 yards away from my house and my windows shake, it just adds to my disgust and contempt for the music and those that listen to it.

That's understandable. Speaking specifically, it doesn't seem like your disgust is with (the basis of) rap but more so with the individuals who promote rap in a negative, degrading way. It's because that's what you hear and see, you've been conditioned to the point where it became a general rule.

^im actually one of the people that will turn my system down when i get near a neighborhood...ESPECIALLY after 9 or so at night...i think its disrespectful not to do so.

but as freestylez said.....gangsta rap even to me isnt rap, ive been writing rap and rapping myself for seven years....and would never degrade women or talk about drugs in my rhymes. like for instance, freestylez, u ever heard of canibus? hes an underground rapper that talks about scientific meanings and history type stuff. its just amazing how smart he is...never mentioning drugs or women. his name is a word for a drug, lol...but he rarely uses it. but thats an example...also 2pac. he was the poetry rapper....the best of the best...yea he was gangsta, but he rapped about the truth...everything that he has been threw. which is what i do...i mean i lived a troubled life...so, it helps me feel better, as it did him...so i can relate, which is why i love rap so much....i swear, i think when i was born...they cut a mic cord stead of a umbilical cord..lol. but....all rap isnt bad.

Yup, I know Canibus. :)

I come from the generation of the "Old School" (70's to mid 80's) so much of my appreciation of rap, let along Hip-Hop, comes from the pioneers of the time. My exposure expanded to B-Boying (although limited), popping/boogaloo and DJing. I literally own thousands of records since I used to buy at least two copies of each record. Every now and then I get back on the wheels of steel (Technics MKS 1200's) for the pure enjoyment. :)

I've been recently listening to Blackalicious "Make You Feel That Way". While there are tons of songs "Can You Hear It?" by Key Kool & DJ Rhettmatic (rare find) comes to mind.

haha, yea i feel you on that stuff. u ever do any yourself? or try to?

I DJed on the local level. I've been associated with the Rock Steady Crew's Hawaii chapter (and other various crews). As for rocking the mic, nah. I leave it to the people who can throw down and not front, which I would be doing if I tried. :D

Same here.. but mostly because I don't want anyone in my neighborhood to know I have a nice system in my car. :banana:

Totally agreed ;)

You are wrong on that. I'm 20 and I love classic rock and many people I know that are 20 or even less do so too. ;)

A rap/hip-hop "song" even if it has good lyrics (which I highly doubt) it has terrible "music". Rock has both great lyrics AND music. ;)

Finally! The girl of my dreams. ;)

*Raises hand to take this one* :D

Apparently you didn't read my post in which I (factually) stated that rock and rap come from the same musical origin (the Blues). Secondly, a lot of rock musicians collaborate with rap musicians. I guess then musicians such as David Bowie, Sting, Aerosmith, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Queen and Prince, just to name a few (I might add), have terrible music. Third, many of today's rock songs sample riffs and beats derived from rap music (a two-way street). Fourth, "Hip-Hop" is a culture and not a style of song genre.

On a separate note: So much for a great debate. I guess people of "rock" are not so hard after all (how's the generalization for ya). ;) It's ok to bait someone into a discussion but make sure that next time you bring the hook, line and sinker. :knockedout: