Is liking/disliking Rap Music a matter of age or taste? (HERE'S the poll)

[Bertha Venation]

Poll question: Is liking/disliking Rap Music a matter of age or taste? (HERE'S the poll)

It's a pretty simplistic question, but this is hardly a scientific poll. I just want to know what kind of company I'm in: I'm 41 and I loathe rap music. I wonder: Is it because of my age, or because it's just not my taste?
Please vote and post your thoughts. Thanks! :bounce:

[DenverDem]

1. Over fifty honkey that digs Snoop Dog, Chuck D, Dr. Dre, Eminem et al.

I am an ethomusicologist from way back, however.

[Champ]

2. reposted

Because it probaly doesn't speak to you, you probaly can't relate to anything mentioned in a song. I detest most of modern rap because the lyrics aren't deep, no emotion in them. It's just alot different then what rap used to be. But many people who listen to rap can't identify with what a country music singer, metal head, etc is saying in their lyrics. I think music has to relate to you for you to like it do you understand what I mean?

[Bertha Venation]

8. music has to relate to you for you to like it

Yes, I think I follow. I could probably relate to some rap if I read the lyrics. But hearing it, being so put off by what IMO can't rightly be called music,* I wouldn't even listen to the words. So yes, I'd say you're right about that.

* Honestly, folks, this is just my opinion. I don't begrudge anyone the right to enjoy, to wrap their hearts & souls, around rap. It's just not for me.

[Syncronaut Seven]

28. They don't play real rap on the radio

Only this Crap used to divide and conquer.

Real rap is a good indicator of the pulse of urban America. Avoid commercial imitations.

True rap is a form of communication not unlike reggae. An outlet for free speech. When it becomes too hip, it's commercialized, sucked dry for profit and loses it's meaning and impact.

My name is Harrad, I'm 42 and I listen to rap. Paris is in the tray today.

[NightTrain]

29. Are there any college radio stations in your area?

In my neck of the woods (Hartford, CT), I'm lucky enough to have lots of college stations on the left end of the FM dial, all of which feature hip-hop and rap shows. And the DJs don't play focus-group-tested bullshit; they play the gen-you-ine article, baby! :bounce:

[Bertha Venation]

32. thanks, Harrad -- and THANKS TO ALL who've participated

keep those comments comin' :bounce:

[DS1]

3. Option 2 with 'some' disclaimer

West coast except Tupac.

[belladonna]

4. 37 years old here

And I love rap music, especially Tupac and Eminem. I've always been very open minded about music as a whole. This afternoon I was listening to D12 and Tupac, now I'm listening to Fleetwood Mac. Go figure :hi:

[Bertha Venation]

7. I think this might sound combative but I promise, it's not:

Does not liking rap music mean one is closed-minded? :hi: Because I confess, I also dislike most country music, but I am incensed by the bumper sticker that reads "stop inbreeding -- ban country music:" that is closed-minded. I'm surprised I haven't seen one that reads "stop crime -- ban rap."

My thoughts aren't coming out very well; I guess I'm trying to say that I don't have to like it to be open-minded about it as an art form, as something that can be appreciated by others. :shrug:

Again, this is just me musing; no offense intended.

[screwfacecapone]

9. ok then, no offensive taken

Not liking rap music means you just don't like rap music, not that you're close minded about it.

Speaking of bumper stickers, I saw one that said you 'can't spell crap without rap'.

[Bertha Venation]

11. see, that's just ignorant -- what a lame bumper sticker

Holding an opinion is one thing, but pissing it all over everyone else is quite another. :grr:

[-..__...]

23. I used to have a bumper sticker that read...

"Disco sucks, but Rap blows!".

[NightTrain]

25. That's not only ignorant; it doesn't even make sense!

Why would you want such a flaccid slogan on your bumper?

[-..__...]

31. Makes perfect sense to me.

What's difficult about figuring it out?... About as difficult as figuring out that I never posted that I put it on my bumper?

[NightTrain]

24. "You can't spel CRAP without RAP?"

You also can't spell CROCK without ROCK!

[-..__...]

33. There's something ironically funny about this.

"You can't spel CRAP without RAP?"

[belladonna]

20. No offense taken

I should actually word that differently. I just love music, all kinds of music. If I had to make a choice between never watching tv again or never listening to music, I'd give up the teevee without a second thought.

It's more a matter of taste, I guess. One thing that I think contributes to my love of hip-hop and rap music is the dancer in me. Can't dance anymore, but I hear something with a great beat and I can't resist.

Funny thing is that my 14 year old daughter HATES rap music, but loves Fleetwood Mac and Jimi Hendrix, so I certainly couldn't call her close minded. Thanks for pointing that out to me, you make a great point :toast:

[shanti]

21. eww, country.

now i NEVER listen to country, cannot stand it, not even "new" country....but some rap is ok by me. my musical tastes are kind of strange tho...reggae, calypso, brazilian, african, new age. can't get into jazz, but if it's on i'll listen.

[gmoney]

5. I like some "whitebread" rap stuff...

Stuff like "Bust a Move" and "Baby Got Back" and The Message some old Public Enemy stuff, and a lot of the Beastie Boys stuff -- the stuff that's either fun, or about something OTHER than ho's and bling bling.

On one of the promos for the new season of Reno911 the black officer is sitting in his cruiser drunk or stoned singing "Get up, git git git down, 9-1-1 is a joke in your town" -- perfect on so many levels.

[Lisa0825]

10. I agree.... I like some rap, but not a whole lot.

the rap I tend to like hasmore music behind it, not the type that is closer to spoken words to a beat and screeching records. I like some Eminem, Kid Rock, Beastie Boys... mostly anything that is rap with either lyrical or rockin' backup.

[screwfacecapone]

6. 23 yr old rap lover

I think it's both, taste and age. Many Older people can't get into what us young bucks are listening to, although some people voted in the 41 - 50 age brackets that they liked it. It's pretty much the same with every other form of music, just like how us younger cats can't click stuff like country or classical.

I'm pretty much into any music with a good rythym, but %95 percent of my cd collection is comprised of hip hop.

[NightTrain]

30. Sounds like musically, you and I would have a lot to discuss!

Although I'm a 38-year-old white guy, my favorite musical styles tend to be black-oriented (R&B, doo-wop, blues, soul, funk, reggae, disco, funk, and yes rap).

[madrchsod]

12. i`m closer to 60 than 50

and after listening to the guys now..i`ll take old school and even hardcore old school rap instead of the crap that`s being programmed today. and i really didn`t appreciate rap and hardcore when it appeared but i`m not that old to see the error of my thoughts...

[Deja Q]

13. Depends

If it's got a good beat and/or a message of value, then I'm going to listen to it. What's now "old school" (Queen Latifah, Public Enemy, even the mindless songs done by the uber-egocentric M C Hammer (who had a penchant for remixing the music written by Prince and Rick James from time to time)) is quite good. I especially love Public Enemy because they sing of social concerns and they've every right to be outraged. I'd fight right along with them. (people love to stare at me when I drive down a road with PE's music playing. :evilgrin: )

I only like hateful rap (Eminem and groups whose names I don't remember because I'd rather not remember them.) Rap isn't the only genre to have violent content, of course...

[Bertha Venation]

14. "Don't Make Me Act A Fool"

I was waiting for some carry-out a few weeks ago in a little greasy spoon. The TV was tuned to a rap video station, and this li'l number was on. If the word captions weren't turned on, I'd've had no idea what the guy was saying. Over and over

don't make me act a fool (what?)
don't make me act a fool (what?)
don't make me act a fool (what?)
don't make me act a fool (what?)
don't make me act a fool (what?)
don't make me act a fool (what?)
don't make me act a fool (what?)
don't make me act a fool (what?) . . .

ad infinitum . . . ad nauseum . . .

I forgot myself and said, outloud in the little diner, "too late." I was embarrassed. So much for trying to be accepting of what others like. :eyes:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

15. I'm 24...and I like SOME rap...

Like Missy Elliot. Anything she does is great in my book.
The Beastie Boys: Classics.
Eminem
and select songs from others depending on the beat and the lyrics. But a lot of it is drivel and the same crap over and over again. A lot of it sucks.
Duckie

[dolo amber]

16. I voted yes

in the 31-40 category...BUT...I have to specify that I like SOME rap, I like the idea of rap, I do NOT like what is played on the radio these days. While I stopped really listening to much hip-hop when this latest manifestation (booty, bling-bling, etc) started, I still listen to older stuff on a regular basis.

Ol' skool, yo! :headbang:

[GOPisEvil]

27. I'm in the same boat!

Give me PE, Cube, T, Beasties...the newer stuff isn't as good, and doesn have as much to say (with some exceptions).

[donco6]

17. Hate it.

Waste of time and airwaves.

[shanti]

18. i like SOME of it, so i gave this a 'yes' answer

and i'm 48. i also have a biracial teen son who loves it, so i'm exposed to many different flavors of rap/hiphop. when i first heard 50 cent's 'in the club', i knew it was an instant hit. nelly is ok, and i can handle some snoop dog.

[SarahB]

19. I don't like it

I'm 32. Hubby's your age and loathes it too. My oldest is 12 and she seems to like it, but I think it's more of a "what these darn kids are listening to nowadays" kind of thing. Once she find her own taste, her tastes may change. Then again, who knows? She might keep liking it. :shrug:

[NightTrain]

22. 38 years old and I like a lot of '80s and '90s rap.

Haven't paid much attention to the newer stuff, though. I must be getting old! :eyes:

[Tom_Foolery]

26. I'm not a fan of rap...

but it's none of my business what people listen to. It becomes my business when they park in front of my house, blasting their music so loudly that it shakes my house to its foundation. That's when I grab my bullhorn and casually walk outside and tell them to turn it down or move on. Now I would take this action even if someone were playing Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, The Carpenters, or whomever too loudly; but nine times out of ten, it's always a kid blaring rap. The crazy thing is, I live in the middle of nowhere.

[Gildor Inglorion]

34. I detest it, but...

I'm over 50 and a classical music lover. Also a worshipper of the Beatles and Pink Floyd. Rap seems to me nothing but empty profanity, homophobia, mysogyny, and threats. Having said that, there is ONE rap "number" that I like. I have no idea who did it, but it goes, "Y'all gon' make me lose my mind, up in here, up in here.."

[Radical Activist]

35. Looks like the over 30 crowd doesn't like rap...

enjoy the ride downhill hehe

[TroubleMan]

36. 31...I've been listening to rap for over 20 years

but I don't like the "bling, bling" phase it's going through. I like the intellectual stuff like Mos Def and Talib Kweli.

My favorite all-time is KRS-One.