Rap compared to Rock

[EvIL_CAjUN_CHIkIN]

Rap's cool, but I just favor Rock over anything basically. That doesn't mean I don't like it, cuz there are songs that are rap songs that I love.....

 

[Dawson]

DragonTrainer, you wouldn't make a very good rapper XD. Yeah, there is a lot of rap like that but how much of it is successful? Here's extracts of two different songs, chosen by the fact that I listened to them a few minutes before this post, by two of the greatest, most successful and influential rappers ever, Tupac and Eminem. I know most people wont be bothered to read the lyrics but it shows that good rap doesn't need curse words to work. If you honestly believe that stereotype of rap music, I suggest you listen to these four songs as well as a few more by both these artists to prove that your wrong. I could've made the extracts longer but I didn't want to take up too much space in this thread.

It's funny
I remember back one year when daddy had no money
Mommy wrapped the Christmas presents up
And stuck 'em under the tree and said some of 'em were from me
Cuz daddy couldn't buy 'em
I'll never forget that Christmas I sat up the whole night
crying
Cuz daddy felt like a bum, see daddy had a job
But his job was to keep the food on the table for you and mom
And at the time every house that we lived in
Either kept getting broke into and robbed
Or shot up on the block and your mom was saving money for you in
a jar
Tryna start a piggy bank for you so you could go to college
Almost had a thousand dollars till someone broke in and stole
it

I'm supposed to be the soldier who never blows his composure
Even though I hold the weight of the whole world on my shoulders
I am never supposed to show it, my crew ain't supposed to know it
Even if it means goin' toe to toe with a Benzino it don't matter
I'd never drag them in battles that I can't handle unless I absolutely have to
I'm supposed to set an example
I need to be the leader, my crew looks for me to guide 'em
If some thing ever just pop off, I'm supposed to be beside 'em

I see no changes. All I see is racist faces.
Misplaced hate makes disgrace for races we under.
I wonder what it takes to make this one better place...
let's erase the wasted.
Take the evil out the people, they'll be acting right.
'Cause mo' black than white is smokin' crack tonight.
And only time we chill is when we kill each other.
It takes skill to be real, time to heal each other.
And although it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President, uhh.
It ain't a secret don't conceal the fact...
the penitentiary's packed, and it's filled with blacks.
But some things will never change.
Try to show another way, but they stayin' in the dope game.
Now tell me what's a mother to do?
Bein' real don't appeal to the brother in you.
You gotta operate the easy way.
"I made a G today" But you made it in a sleazy way.
Sellin' crack to the kids. "I gotta get paid,"
Well hey, well that's the way it is.

If I could recollect before my hood days
I'd sit and reminisce thinkin of bliss of the good days
I stop and stare at the younger my heart goes to ?em
AIDS tested, it was stress that they under
And nowadays things change
Everyone's ashamed of the youth, cuz the truth look strange
And for me it's reversed, we left them a world that's cursed and it hurts
Cuz any day they'll push the button
And all good men like Malcolm X and Bobby Hutton died for nothin
Told em they could get teary, the world looks dreary
When you wipe your eyes see it clearly
There's no need for you to fear me
If you take your time to hear me, maybe you can learn to cheer me

It aint about black or white, cuz we're human
I hope we see the light before it's ruined
My Ghetto Gopsel

 

[DragonTrainer]

Lol, I admit I was a little over the top on it, but that's how typical rap nowadays is, I know there are a few rappers who's lyrics actually mean something, I have heard some, but mainly that's just the kind of rap there is these days

 

[Ryoutarou]

Lol, I admit I was a little over the top on it, but that's how typical rap nowadays is, I know there are a few rappers who's lyrics actually mean something, I have heard some, but mainly that's just the kind of rap there is these days

And you're right, rap really is a bad style of music now. There isn't anything nearly as good as stuff from the early 90s lie Tupac or Kari'm. Probably Jurassic 5 is about the only good rap group left, there are a lot of rappers...But usually their good songs are done in an R&B stlye.

 

[Dawson]

I gotta agree that the overall quality of rap music has lowered over the past few years. Since rap was made mainstream there have just been too many wannabe's that thought they were better than everyone else. But as I stated there are the major exceptions who are better than everyone else.

there are a lot of rappers...But usually their good songs are done in an R&B stlye.

Like Nelly. I hate all his 'gangsta' rap songs like Hot In Herre but I love the tracks like My Place, Dilemma and Over and Over Again.

 

[jasonresno]

Tupac and Eminem are the exception, not the rule.

However being able to rhyme complex verses easily to, or even without, a beat is a gift, and have the voice to go with it. Why do you think there are so few successful rap artists compared to rockstars.

Bollocks. Being able to rhyme just takes practice speaking to a beat. Being able to play the guitar/drums/bass etc takes years of practice to get down pat. Very egregious error in suggesting that rhyming is harder than spending yeears to be good at the guitar.

The reason that there are fewer succesful rap stars than rock stars is quite obvious, rap is a weaker music.

 

[KLS]

Tupac and Eminem are the exception, not the rule.



Bollocks. Being able to rhyme just takes practice speaking to a beat. Being able to play the guitar/drums/bass etc takes years of practice to get down pat. Very egregious error in suggesting that rhyming is harder than spending yeears to be good at the guitar.

The reason that there are fewer succesful rap stars than rock stars is quite obvious, rap is a weaker music.

Wow, I see so much flaming potential in this thread.
First of all I'm here to state my opinion about Rap.
Rap is.... A part of our history.
Do you know how many people have died for the sake of rap?
Tupac, Biggie, Eazy-E, Jam Master Jay...
you tell me that these legends have died for the sake of rap and now your saying it's a weaker music than rock? What you basically did is slap the people that died for rap acrorss their faces. In order to rap you need to meet a certain rule, that's to have suffered. Have you noticed why most of the rappers are black? Well let's look at it this way, they're not like us, you know with fancy computers and cell phones and all that stuff. They had to suffer hardships, hmm do you ever wonder why the always rap about Sex, Money, and Drugs? It's because of their background, and for that I respect rap. They know the meaning of pain... Unlike Rock, it's just a bunch of white people screaming in the mike. Anyone care to prove me wrong?

 

[[Technya]]

I really cannot stand rap at all but I don't care for metal either so I voted neither, metal is too loud and noisy >.< But I'd preffer to listen to metal over rap anyday.

 

[jasonresno]

Wow, I see so much flaming potential in this thread.
First of all I'm here to state my opinion about Rap.
Rap is.... A part of our history.
Do you know how many people have died for the sake of rap?
Tupac, Biggie, Eazy-E, Jam Master Jay...
you tell me that these legends have died for the sake of rap and now your saying it's a weaker music than rock? What you basically did is slap the people that died for rap acrorss their faces. In order to rap you need to meet a certain rule, that's to have suffered. Have you noticed why most of the rappers are black? Well let's look at it this way, they're not like us, you know with fancy computers and cell phones and all that stuff. They had to suffer hardships, hmm do you ever wonder why the always rap about Sex, Money, and Drugs? It's because of their background, and for that I respect rap. They know the meaning of pain... Unlike Rock, it's just a bunch of white people screaming in the mike. Anyone care to prove me wrong?

So many things wrong:

1)Now you are being racist? You dislike Rock because it is white people playing it?

2)Those people that died "for" rap didn't have to die for it. If people weren't so ghetto and stupid they wouldn't have died.

3)Yeah they had to suffer hardships, so do alot of people, but if you grow past your hardships you don't have to remind us about it by making bunk, rude language filled songs. If they do that, they are no better than what they grew up as.

4)"Rappers know the meaning of pain unlike rock" Why? That is a fairly general statement, and a horrible one at that. Seriously.

5)" Well let's look at it this way, they're not like us"For making most of that cruddy music, they become just like us. If they are so poor and miserable why do they kill each other? If they are so poor why do they wear five pounds of "bling"?

6)"In order to rap you need to meet a certain rule, that's to have suffered" Now you are making crud up, horrible statement. It is like I am arguiing with a 9 year old. Saying that all rappers have suffered their whole life just makes me angry.

Good god.

 

[Ryoutarou]

--; You do know how hard it is to escape your problems right? Even when you are in the limelight, heck that probably gives you more problems. They jsut don't go away even if the people try and get away from it.

Actually I think KLS's statement was rather rude and well...Made no sense practically to me. People that do rap about their hard times are famous because a lot of people can relate to it that's it.

 

[Fangking Omega]

I can't treat rap as enjoyable to me. Lyrically driven stuff tends not to bring the spectrum of music to life, and it's difficult to credit any instrumental work in rap. What rap is to me is a form of poetry and expression. The things these people rap about are real, relevent to the society and cultural background they grew up with. I despise the music, but I credit the freedom of expression. It's got more meaning than anything the pop machine churns out day after day. I just don't care for the lack of true melody. It's also not to say that all rap has that expression.

However, to say that rock has none of this lyrical genius is wrong. Yes, you get horrible rock bands that scream and scream away. I don't look at that myself. Progressive and art rock drive a lot of my musical taste on the side of Pink Floyd, (early) Genesis, Archive (some), and Peter Gabriel. Then there's some classic rock from the Rolling Stones. Can't call that shouting at all! Hard rock like Led Zeppelin, Crush 40 and Hardline is just great and I can't get enough. It's got energy and power, and can be beautiful too (Stairway to Heaven anybody?). My current big thing is the wonderful melodic rock. TNT show proof of this genre's quality, casting away their 80s hair metal sound in the course of the 90s, culminating in an absolute masterpiece of melodic rock in 2004; My Religion. Anybody who dares to call Tony Harnell's amazing, majestic voice "shouting" is 100 percent deaf or clinically insane. Markedly he screams at times, but not in the way you associate with rock. He's the best vocalist around IMO, though not everyone is going to agree. Guitar is a great instrument when used properly, and the REAL rock (subjective view =P) exploits its grace to no end. A thundering rhythm section and you've got perfection in sound (subjective view). I'm a sucker for guitar solos and driving riffs above all else though.... At the moment, my fave band is Starbreaker, and I've not even heard their full album yet (preordered).

Here's my test (don't kill me mods just in case, this is contributing to the argument, it's an official site and the mp3s aren't full songs); https://www.starbreakerband.com
Check some of the minute samples out. Try them all I suggest, in order. If you can't be bothered; Lies, Crushed, Cradle To The Grave, Save Yourself. Note this isn't pure rock, it's a blend of melodic rock and hair metal.
I challenge anyone to say that;
a) the lyrics are meaningless
b) there's no feeling in the instrument's music
c) the vocals are horrible and screaming loud.

Maybe I'm biased... I'm in a rock band at school after all x.x
We're varied and melodic.

But I can't say that all rock is good. American Idiot anybody? X.x *hides*

 

[jasonresno]

American Idiot, and this isn't the green day fan in me, is probably the BEST concept album EVER made. Not my favorite album though, my favorite album is Deja Entendu. But that is irrevalent to the topic, and I choose not to discuss it.

Here is an example of "white guys screaming down the mic" (www.brandnewrock.com, click "listen". fast streaming songs)

(Sic Transit gloria those lyrics, powerful, great instrumentals, and well written). as a matter of fact i can give you a 100 rockers that have better lyrics than rappers.

 

[Fangking Omega]

Favourite concept album for me is Pink Floyd's The Wall, but Dark Side of the Moon by Floyd is great too. Also awesome is The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, by Genesis. American Idiot appealed nothing to me. OK, end.

 

[[Technya]]

So many things wrong:

1)Now you are being racist? You dislike Rock because it is white people playing it?

2)Those people that died "for" rap didn't have to die for it. If people weren't so ghetto and stupid they wouldn't have died.

3)Yeah they had to suffer hardships, so do alot of people, but if you grow past your hardships you don't have to remind us about it by making bunk, rude language filled songs. If they do that, they are no better than what they grew up as.

4)"Rappers know the meaning of pain unlike rock" Why? That is a fairly general statement, and a horrible one at that. Seriously.

5)" Well let's look at it this way, they're not like us"For making most of that cruddy music, they become just like us. If they are so poor and miserable why do they kill each other? If they are so poor why do they wear five pounds of "bling"?

6)"In order to rap you need to meet a certain rule, that's to have suffered" Now you are making crud up, horrible statement. It is like I am arguiing with a 9 year old. Saying that all rappers have suffered their whole life just makes me angry.

Good god.

Yes, I have to agree with you. KLS you always say they died for rap. I'm sorry but that is kind of pathetic. Millions of people have died for their country, trying to defend other people, to keep peace, to stand up for those that cannot. Music is just music. And pain? Let me tell you something, music is a way to communicate feelings, pain, happiness and so on. Any genre of music, wether it be rap, rock, metal, punk, goth or even classical can express these feelings not just rap.

 

[Dark Sora]

Wow, I see so much flaming potential in this thread.
First of all I'm here to state my opinion about Rap.
Rap is.... A part of our history.
Do you know how many people have died for the sake of rap?
Tupac, Biggie, Eazy-E, Jam Master Jay...
you tell me that these legends have died for the sake of rap and now your saying it's a weaker music than rock? What you basically did is slap the people that died for rap acrorss their faces. In order to rap you need to meet a certain rule, that's to have suffered. Have you noticed why most of the rappers are black? Well let's look at it this way, they're not like us, you know with fancy computers and cell phones and all that stuff. They had to suffer hardships, hmm do you ever wonder why the always rap about Sex, Money, and Drugs? It's because of their background, and for that I respect rap. They know the meaning of pain... Unlike Rock, it's just a bunch of white people screaming in the mike. Anyone care to prove me wrong?

Wow. You was doing good, until you got to the end. Not all rappers know the meaning of pain. Only the good ones. Like Tupac, Biggie, Eminem, and Dr. Dre. There are also rock bands that know the meaning of pain. Just about all rock bands know the meaning of pain. Well at least all of the bands from the 90's and under.

That second part is completely racist. Incase you didnt know, it's not only white people >< It's people of all different races. There are also groups with blacks in it. Like Guns N' Roses. That is one of the rockiest rock bands ever XD And the lead guitarist, Slash, is black. Also Hootie And The Blowfish has a black frontman. There are many other rock groups that have blacks in them. There's a uber heavy metal band that has a black frontman. So dont get racist, if you dont even have your facts straight.

 

[jasonresno]

Favourite concept album for me is Pink Floyd's The Wall, but Dark Side of the Moon by Floyd is great too. Also awesome is The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, by Genesis. American Idiot appealed nothing to me. OK, end.

And while I respect Pink Floyd for their musical talent, The Wall just isn't appealing. Its all about the genre you listen to. /end\

 

[Ryoutarou]

Yes, I have to agree with you. KLS you always say they died for rap. I'm sorry but that is kind of pathetic. Millions of people have died for their country, trying to defend other people, to keep peace, to stand up for those that cannot. Music is just music. And pain? Let me tell you something, music is a way to communicate feelings, pain, happiness and so on. Any genre of music, wether it be rap, rock, metal, punk, goth or even classical can express these feelings not just rap.

Wasn't it well known goths don't label themselfs? So, that's more of a psudeo-dark emo style then anything else really. And people have died for their arts before. I don't see how rap is any different, people died for poetry, people died for art, people died for the ability to write what they want...Rap isn't any different. These people died for the chance to express themselfs and how they felt, that's never pathetic.

Music is just a way to express yourself and you have to be looking at it from the other persons point of view. Upbringings, family, culture all play a great deal into what is written and how it is carried out.

 

[DragonTrainer]

Jimi Hendrix was one of the greates guitarists that ever lived, and he was black

 

[[Technya]]

Wasn't it well known goths don't label themselfs? So, that's more of a psudeo-dark emo style then anything else really. And people have died for their arts before. I don't see how rap is any different, people died for poetry, people died for art, people died for the ability to write what they want...Rap isn't any different. These people died for the chance to express themselfs and how they felt, that's never pathetic.

Music is just a way to express yourself and you have to be looking at it from the other persons point of view. Upbringings, family, culture all play a great deal into what is written and how it is carried out.

You're right, my apologies :sleeping: Just seemed a bit offensive what he'd said in the other post. FYI there's no rule that says Goths don't/can't label themselves. I know other Goths that are well, gothier than myself and they label themselves and nowhere did I label myself in that post. When people label you so much it tends to grow on you. So putting the label thing aisde -_- I am sorry for how the post sounded, what you said about the arts is true.

 

[Ryoutarou]

The fact that race is being compared to how well a person is in a certian style is just stupid. Hendirx kicked, it doesn't matter if he was white,black, whatever good music is good music.

EDIT: Actually a cardinal rule of gothicism is that you don't label yourself since it contradicts the principles of gothicism...which is simply being a free thinker. But that's all off topic XD