Reply #43: Its kind of funny to see DU try to analyze the state of rap music

[MirrorAshes]

Some of you have some clue of what you're talking about, but not many.

It is true that the major music labels saw dollar signs in gangster rap and rode that train all the way to the bank, but for some to suggest that it is that way because thats what the white kids want to hear is ridiculous. Its not like black kids don't buy or listen to rap music. White kids latched on, and do spend millions upon millions of dollars on it, but the music is still driven by black culture. it's been hijacked and exploited by record companies--absolutely--but to try to skirt the issue by putting the blame on white teenagers is extremely narrow-minded.

If this is something the black community wants to get serious about and change it is in their hands to do so, and noone else's. There is a thriving world of underground hip-hop which is intelligent, responsible, and genuinely artistic, and black kids and white kids alike tend to migrate towards that stuff when they get tired of the gangster crap. But the "gangster" image is one that will continue to sell until it is universally dismissed by black culture, especially black youth culture. White teenagers can't make this change happen, but they can (and will) follow whatever trend is set by the black community.

And besides, white kids are all about emo now anyway ;)

In my opinion, the foundation of the major record labels is already crumbling. The internet has brought independant and underground hip-hop artists more exposure than they've ever had before, and more serious music listeners are rejecting the spoon-fed assembly-line gangster crap. The last nail can be put into the coffin very easily. I reject the idea that these rap artists are being forced to use this sort of language by the record companies-- if you're willing to sell out your artistic integrity that easily you're just part of the problem. Artists standing up for change, and listeners demanding that change is what will turn things around. It could be done. Hopefully with people like Obama coming out and hitting the right notes on the subject it will.