I have no interest in sharing my opinions while discussing the origins of rap or any other musical genre for that matter. If I don't know it to be factual, I simply won't state it. To do so will just be a waste of my time. My intent is really to separate the untruths from the truths and not to sway anyone to become a fan of rap.

Now since it is the claim that what I've stated to be opinions and not facts, I'd like to pursue the discussion. My position is that the origin of rap was never about violence, drugs or negativity. But are there violence and drugs in the Hip-Hop culture? Yes. Though, the violence and drugs are not the Hip-Hop culture nor were they ever expressed in the original rap songs. That is a key difference.

So, which claim should we analyze first?

Rock has it's share of hostility but that's not what I was referring to. Many parents and adults back in the day did not understand Rock & Roll and took an aggressive stand against it. Their views and the movement to ban Rock & Roll were hostile.

Now the violence of today cannot be compared to the violence of yesterday. It's no longer about chains and knives but about guns. Now drive-by shootings isn't about rap but about pride, gangs, territories and money. Drive-bys were actually made famous by Cosa Nostra, decades before rap came into existence.

Well, sir, they are still opinions as far as I am concerned. You stating it is factual, does not make is so. I could state something is factual, and if you never researched it, how would you know if it was factual or not?

RAP music glorifies violence whereas Classic Rock didn't. THAT is the point I was making and still stand by.

I knew that, I was just giving you a hard time. I guess I should have done one in mine, huh? ;)

Go Beatles!

That's all I have to say on the subject. :)

"Gangsta" rap does but most rap do not glorify violence.

My assumption is that you're placing all styles of rap, including the original intent of rap, under one roof in which promotes violence. Is that correct? If the answer is yes, then much to say that most, if not all rap songs are about violence. I hope I'm wrong in my assumption.

Anyway, here is a quote from Mr. Wiggles, who is a pioneer of the Hip-Hop culture and of funk, Poppin' and Lockin' dance styles:

I think music is a reflection of society...just like movies. Ours is a violent society today, much more so than 35-40 years ago. Things have become very complicated. We have throw away marraiges, pregnancies, lives, etc. It's a society of instant gratification without a great deal of concern for the future...short or longterm. Now, who's to blame for this?...we all are...for tolerating what would have been unimaginable just a generation or two ago. It makes me wonder who much further "out there" things can get...in society and music.

Try listening to a 48 minute stint of Cat Stevens. When did blackbirds ever start speaking? Oh the memories.

Don't be dissin' Cat Stevens, Shelley. I've talked to blackbirds a time or two in my earlier days. :cross-eyed:

Not all rap music glorifies violence. You're being very generic.

I could say rock was all about sex and drugs. All techno is repitive crap for kids tripping on ecstacy. Metal is all about satan. Punk is all about anarchy. On and on and on.

Anyways I enjoy a wide variety of music from Jonny Cash to Bon Scott to Daft Punk to Altar to Chuck D. I casn't think of a genre of music that I completely hate, aside from boy "bands".

But Cat Steven still prevails. right?