Rap is not a collective!
The Crossjammer
say?" posts. Let's get it straight, rap is a form of expression. It just
happens to be used by young black African Americans to express themselves.
This doesn't mean though that there is some incredible grand scheme of rap
music.
Thus, I give no credence to any critic who off the top makes broad sweeping
statements about "rap" saying something to the youth of today. However, I
know somebody is thinking when they take the time to point out that there
is a broad spectrum of artists who use rap to express themselves. What's my
point? Simple, there is nothing illuminating in lumping all rap artists
together and drawing conclusions from some analysis. I can almost
automatically come up with exceptions which debunk your conclusions.
In a larger sense though, I find this a symptom of what I call the
"messianic music myth". While I don't know if this is really true of white
fans, I often find that white critics of all types of youth oriented
popular music have this tendency to think of music as somehow changing the
world, saving the planet, or raising the consciousness to a new and higher
level. Call me a jaded cynic, but I'm not buying it. Most people like their
music just on some pure gut level. I just see the current round of rap
bashing as a mutual admiration fest of people who "just don't get it". The
average rap fan wants a beat that's fat, and some lyrical styling to go
with it. The average hip-hop artists just wants to sound good to his
homies, and make a lot of money however he can. I don't deny that there are
many artists who are trying to uplift the race and use their music to
express that. They are often the most interesting to listen to. But to say
that every other artist should conform to this ideal, is utter and complete
bullshit.
Finally, how come nobody ever does "The Rap on R&B", or "Why C&W has
failed the youth of America"?
--
They can't come on and play me in prime time, |Crossjammer ...... OUT!
Cause I know the time, cause I'm gettin' mine. |xj...@cork.berkeley.edu
I get on the mix late in the night... <-------------------PUBLIC ENEMY