I've just turned 40,
so I think I qualify as 'old fashioned', and 'old fart on the block', by most standards, too.
!*!*!*!* Ok, members, get ready for some totally opinionated, possibly brilliant, possibly worthless opinions.
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- To me, "good rap is" ______, because _____.
- You fill in the blanks.
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Reel sez:
- To me, "good rap" is Kurtis Blow, because he could REALLY enunciate, production value was high, melody was present, melody was well developed, themes were upbeat, and he just has a really bright, 'present' voice. Dynamic, I think is what I mean.
- To me, "good rap" is Shaba Ranks, because, man, that voice.
OHMYGOD, Resonant! Also, the themes are upbeat, and easygoing, like island-style, I'm cool, I'm your Mr. Loverman. It's accessible and laid back, not threatening.
- To me, "good rap" is Dr Dre & Snoop Dogg, because theirs simply a super-powerhouse of raw talent there, which cannot be ignored. Start with the great vocals/voices, stylistically speaking. I think Dr Dre & Snoop Dogg really take great, meaningful rap vocals to a higher [stylistically higher] level. Their talent to just freestyle would probably blow most people's minds. Dr Dre brings high production value to Rap recording, with REALLY HARD HITTING, POWERFUL tunes and productions, that just has this RAW EDGE, not only of production value, but of ATTITUDE. OHMYGOD, It's so symbolically violent, powerful, and threatening [for the most part/the early stuff], and they do that "I'm a baddass gangsta" posturing SO WELL!! It's a friggin' NATURAL TALENT!! They've got it! I don't have it! I can't do what they do! No white guy can do what they do! Eminem can't do what Dr Dre & Snoop Dogg do, Eminem is a JOKE! Eminem's for Dr Demento, all the way! Eminems rhymes are worse than lame, and his voice sucks, and annoys the livin' hell out of me. Anyway, I got carried away,... Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg, recording together, just have it all going on. They were just too talented, not to break worldwide.
- To me, "good rap" is Wrexx & Effects, Rump Shaker, because it's just a great, catchy, fun song of it's time,... also because I'm a horny bastard, and I prefer all music videos to have babes in bikinis.
- To me, "good rap" is MOVE SOMETHING, by who-knows-who, because [see previous comments], and, it's just another get-down, fun party song & video. I barely remember it, but I rememer it has a good rhyme, and vibe.
-To me, "good rap" is BABY GOT BACK, because, [see previous comments]. Also, it's a highly developed rhyme and rythm.
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That's all I've got, for now. I may think of something else brilliant, or worthless, later, so I'll let you know.
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I know, my musical tastes are dated, and "old school", to say the least, [old fart],... or just plain BOGUS! [you decide].
Anyway, that's what I like, in rap music. Something with a clever lyric, lots of beat, a developed melody, and a dynamic vocalist. What's not to like, there?
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The obvious reply, spoof, or comeback thread is:
- To me, "lousy rap" is __________, because __________.
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[NOW, watch the people come out of the woodwork, on this one!
]
Reel sez:
- To me, "lousy rap" is droning, non melodic, unimaginative, mumbling, rappers and rap songs, and also idiotic, soulless, mindless, lame white-boy, wanna-be rap, i.e., Eminem, Insane Clown Posse.
Anyway, at this point, 2001, when is rap really rap? Is Kid Rock, Rap? Is Limp Weenie, uh, I mean Limp Biskit, Rap? Is any other band that's co-opting RAP, really RAP? I think the definition gets spread a little thin, sometimes.
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That's all I have to say, that's more than enough.
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