So I was listening to NPR one day, and they were interviewing a rap artist named "Ohene Savant". Naturally, I almost turned it off because I for one, used to hate rap with a passion. Then, I started listening to him, he was very intelligent and very well spoken, not to mention that his musical talent is incredible. He plays everything in his songs from start to finish, no drum beats, no pre recorded loops. He hardly ever curses in his songs, and his lyrics are pretty deep. I had to check him out.
Then, I found something really awesome The Top Ten Intellectual Rappers I didn't like all of the artists on there, but the one that stood out to me was "Illogic"
See? Rappers CAN create intelligent music, and poetic works of art, you just have to find the right stuff. It doesn't always have to be cussing every other line, it doesn't always have to be about *****s, prostitutes, and violence. It doesn't have to be what I call "Lyrical Pornography"
Some people aren't condemning rap as a whole, but rather the cheap crap that is unleashed by the music industry daily. I don't like rap, and there is only one rapper so far that I listen to from time to time (and even like it); and I'm sure there are many other rapper with talent that can produce neat music. But the problem is that you have to look for them behind all the talentless ones.
. . . though on a second note, some of them were out-of-place (Gift of Gab and MF Doom were only honorable mentions, Immortal Technique was anywhere near the list at all, etc.) though considering the source, it wasn't bad.
Yeah, considering I don't know many rappers, I wasn't able to judge whether it was a great list or not. I just know that I really, REALLY like illogic.
But the problem is that you have to look for them behind all the talentless ones.
eh even that is kinda untrue. rappers now-a-days do get big with talent. jay-z, kanye west, nas, lupe fiasco, outkast, eminem, are all HUGE artists in todays rap world, and rightfully should be. then of course there is all the old school rappers as well.
eh even that is kinda untrue. rappers now-a-days do get big with talent. jay-z, kanye west, nas, lupe fiasco, outkast, eminem, are all HUGE artists in todays rap world, and rightfully should be. then of course there is all the old school rappers as well.
Then again I don't like the artists you listed ^^ but it seems at least they have some talent..
I mainly listen to hardcore/punk, and usually scrutinize rappers for having lyrics consisting of sex/drugs/sodomy/etc. However, there is the occasional rap artist I thoroughly enjoy. The afformentioned Illogic is one of those, as is Immortal Technique.
I've recently also discovered a rapper who goes by The Joe.
Some rap is good other is just bad. The one that you suggested in the OP 'Burned in the River' had nice lyrics and I liked that part. Most rap songs... well songs in general now I guess have a negative outlook and bad lyrics (about selling drugs, killing cops, and loitering).
im sorry for what i said about rap i guess i wasnt thinking well since i havent heard much rap i cant judge i guess i keep hearing the bad ones or i just think there bad so sorry people
usaly i don't listen to rap. but some of my most favorite bands use rapping sometimes aswell. like gorillaz and the bloodhound gang. both of them sure aint known for their raps but they use it very often and it sounds very good. especialy because they make real music beside the rapping and not just 1 simple beat.
