Beast mode, Atresac.

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Ok,I see alot of threads on here about HipHop but from what I've seen these opinions aren't based on true hiphop but more on the bastardized watered down for mainstreem version you get on TV/Radio.Im here to give you an outline on the true hiphop.

First,HipHop is more than rap.Rap is one part while the rest is Turntablism,beatboxing,Bboying and Graph.

A few things that lead to rapping was..

Spoken word poets like Gil Scott Haron

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc4LvadyXCc

and different word play thing like blues,jive,toasting etc..This old Louis Jordan video is good example of that (this is from the 40's/50's!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_LYI2_3hhk

Turntabilism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E795nmyZYCQ

Bboying

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9Y9v5dAhvI

Now,as far as the music goes.Im going to list a few complaints that I've see on here and then give a response with a video example.

1.Rapper aren't musicians because they don't play instruments

I see this alot and my reponse is that rappingis a vocal thing.When you listen to Frank Sinatra or Luther Vandross sing you don't expect to see them play instruments so would you for rappers.

2.Rap music isn't music because there is no musicianship involved and plues they sample from other peoples work

I'll say that creative sampling is an art form.You have to have an ear for music to know what goes with what when your sampling.Another thing that you may not know is that many hiphop beat makers have live instrumentation.Also you have people like Dr.Dre who are more like producers similar to Quint Jones or Phil Spector.A few videos to illustarte my how beats are made for rap music.

Just Blaze (he has an orchestra in here)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lt5HTzRbIk

20SYL - Beat Making Video (this guy samples and plays instruments for his beat)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OhDC5GUJYw

Then you have dudes like Dj Shadow who makes songs from 100's of samples (on record digging)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gpKYnRdf0A

3.All rap music sounds the same.

There are kinds of rap styles.East Coast-Mid West-Southern-West Coact Rap,Rock-Rap,Jazz-Rap,Gangsta-Rap,Political-Rap,Afrocentric-Rap,Nerd-Rap,Emo-Rap,Alternative-Rap, etc..I can go on and on.All of these rap styles have different focuses in content and sound.I'll post a few videos of different types of Rap that you don't often hear on the radio/TV

4.Rapper don't rap about anything serious

How can one say this.One of the earliest popular rap song was a "serious" song.It's called the "Message"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6e9G-ump3Y

5.Anyone can rap because it's just poetry for dummies.The lyrics are not creative

NO,anyone can try making a rap song but that doesn't mean that they're lyrically skilled! "Real rappers" are very creative and poetic when it comes to concepts like painting visual pictures,storytelling,metaphorical raps etc

If you don't consider these lyrics poetic then I don't what to tell ya lol

Mos Def, Talib Kweli & Common - Respiration

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHReQQnMVQo

Common- I Used To Love H.E.R

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A9u9rG3Q7g

Eminem - Stan (with Dido)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhhugemQi9I

6.Rap is only done over dead beats,never live instrumentation

Many rappers rap over live instrumentation on their albums and concerts.

common-real people

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L6nrTyvVaY

Jay-Z Stageside Radio City (concert with orchestra)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnYxZ0wyG-M

more later.if any one has any good questions to ask please ask them so I can answer them:)

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I'm not saying anyone here has to like rap.  Hell, you can hate it for all I care, but this is simply an attempt to stop all of the asinine arguments as to why it sucks for whatever the reason may be.  It's like saying all drummers do is slam on pads like maniacs.