Rap Rant, Part I

DATE: 04/01/2003 03:28:29 PM
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You know what I am sick of hearing?  "I can't get into rap music, because they don't write their own music."  Or "it doesn't take much talent/singing is much harder."  Or, "It's too repetitive."

Only one of these opinions holds even a shred of merit (the repetitiveness one, though it can be shot to hell as well).  Sadly, these opinions usually come from someone who has a Prodigy or Matchbox 20 CD in their collection.  Yeah, I can tell you're really a talent hound.

Look, I know that I can be a musical elitist at times.  But in general, I give every single musical genre the benefit of the doubt.  There are genres I tend to avoid (country, electronic) because I find that either they don't often resonate with me (country), or I find the style repetitive (electronic).  You don't have to listen to hip-hop.  But if you don't, get a REAL reason.  Let's examine the aforementioned stupid arguments:

<u>ARGUMENT #1. "Rappers don't write their own music."</u>  
Okay, this is sometimes true.  A lot of rap acts don't compose their own music.  This is because when hip-hop started, it was performed amidst the poverty of inner city communities.  People would flip over records of songs they knew and rap over them, creating a new musical form.  Do you think they had money to buy musical instruments?  Their parents couldn't afford piano lessons, and didn't have the space for band practice.  Gimme a break.

Economics aside, hip-hop has come a long way since the late '70s.  Many acts now DO compose their own music.  Hip-hop's best producers are better songwriters than a lot of the top pop-rock acts.  In fact, jut as many pop acts don't write their own music.  After all, Michael Jackson has barely written any of his vast catalogue of hits.  

To drive the point home more, let's look at some of hip-hop's finest producers:

<b>The Neptunes:</b> I love these guys.  Chad Hugo and Pharell Williams are the best thing to happen to pop radio in the past  12 years.  Having the Neptunes at the top essentially guarantees that no matter how many talentless assclowns clamber to the top of the pop charts and fill the radio with their drivel, at least the beats will be good.  Who do you think produced Britney Spears' "I'm a Slave For U?"  Or Justin Timberlake's first solo hit?  The Britney beat was originally used by a rap group called Philly's Most Wanted, for pete's sake!  Most importantly, the Neptunes NEVER SAMPLE ANY OF THEIR MUSIC.  It's always original, and I'd much rather listen to a Neptunes-produced track than Bush or Nickelback.

<b>Dr. Dre:</b> Already a legend, Dre has produced a gazillion hit songs for acts from Snoop Dogg to Gwen Stefani.  Dre USED to sample back in the day, but he doesn't really do it anymore.  Who really thinks it's harder to write music for No Doubt than to compose beats for Snoop?  If that's what you think, then you're wrong.  End of story.

<b>Dan the Automator:</b> The mastermind behind <b>Gorillaz</b> and <b>Deltron 3030</b>, Dan Nakamura is a musical genius.  His beats for these albums are always original, and often as complex as any rock or R&B act you'll hear.  Listen to Gorillaz, and when you do, keep in mind that Dan is "just a DJ".  

<b>The Roots:</b> If you actually want a live band, the Roots are guaranteed to give you that with almost every track.  Though many rap acts now use a combination of live instruments and synthesized production, the Roots are well-known for straight live performances of all their songs.  And yes, the music is just as good as any band in any other genre.

Part II is next...
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Noah
URL:
DATE: 04/02/2003 01:39:27 PM
I'm skeptical. Convince me. Make me a mix.
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