The appeal of rap music, need some answers?

Im writing a paper for school on why todays youth are so drawn to rap music and i need some answers from people who listen to it. Answer whatever questions you want and please be honest and elaborate as much as possible if you could...

Why do you listen to rap music?

What is it about rap music you like the most/least?

Pretty much everybody I know listens to rap, and I've asked them these questions. I always get the same answers. They like it because they can dance to it, and because the rappers have nice clothes (what this has to do with how the music sounds, I don't know). I think that half of the reason kids listen to rap is because of the imagery. That's not to say that there isn't any rap of substance out there, because that's not true. But the most popular music seems to be a vehicle for other products. Rappers are constantly advertising shoes, cars, clothing brands, etc. And it's everywhere teenagers tend to be - MTV (and TV in general), Myspace, AIM Radio, in video games and movies about fast cars and guns...

Basically, they like rap because they're surrounded by it and eventually they just take a liking to it. If the corporations behind popular rap music wanted to switch to heavy metal, eventually it would be a major mainstream thing. It's all about presentation.

I'm not drawn to rap

its rock that rocks

The appeal of rap is that it talks about sex, drugs, and violence...it makes people feel rebellious...there is a lot of bass which, for whatever reason, is considered "cool"...and it requires absolutely no thought to understand, which is why you will almost never find a real musician who listens to modern rap.

And I suppose "you can dance to it", although going to a club once a week hardly makes rap worth listening to all the time...and 90% of rap fans I know can't/won't dance anyways.

The end.

M-Money and hoes

M-M-M-Money and hoes

M-Money and hoes

M-M-M-Money and hoes

........ yeah, I don't like rap. Women, money, and gangs are about the extent of their lyrics. 

YO YO YO

Check out my car

I got drunk at the bar

Cause I want to get far

JIGGA WAGGA CHAKKA LAKKA?!?!?

WORD UP MO FO

WESTSIDE!! 

Pretty much everybody I know listens to rap, and I've asked them these questions. I always get the same answers. They like it because they can dance to it, and because the rappers have nice clothes (what this has to do with how the music sounds, I don't know). I think that half of the reason kids listen to rap is because of the imagery. That's not to say that there isn't any rap of substance out there, because that's not true. But the most popular music seems to be a vehicle for other products. Rappers are constantly advertising shoes, cars, clothing brands, etc. And it's everywhere teenagers tend to be - MTV (and TV in general), Myspace, AIM Radio, in video games and movies about fast cars and guns...

Basically, they like rap because they're surrounded by it and eventually they just take a liking to it. If the corporations behind popular rap music wanted to switch to heavy metal, eventually it would be a major mainstream thing. It's all about presentation.

Shut_Me_Up

I listened to rap when I was younger in high school (last year), does that mean youth? No clue. Anyway, I liked it because of the amount of lyrics that it was possible to fit into a rap song, since it's basically poetry with sick beats. This was awesome to me because I love politics, and political rap bands could say so much about an issue in just one song, give them a whole album and wow you've got some good times on your hands. Also, there are some really eloquent rappers out there that are just amazing to listen to their lyrical talent, the way they rhyme such difficult phrases and still keep the song intelligible. That's a few reasons why I liked rap, still do like rap :)

Rap bands I like: Binary Star, Jedi Mind Tricks, Immortal Technique, Cannibal Ox, El P

Just for the record, I DO NOT listen to the cars & clothes raps....

I can relate, to a certain point, some songs more than the other....And some rappers such as Nas have an amazing stort telling ability, I'm a sucker for that.

 LET ME SEE YOUR GRILL! YOUR GRILL! YOUR GRILL-GRI-GRI-GRILL! LET ME SEE YOUR GRILL!

Outstanding lyrics. I don't hate all rap, but most of it is pretty terrible. 

the way i see it, theres 2 types of rap. material/club rap, and poetic rap. i like both.

Pretty much everybody I know listens to rap, and I've asked them these questions. I always get the same answers. They like it because they can dance to it, and because the rappers have nice clothes (what this has to do with how the music sounds, I don't know). I think that half of the reason kids listen to rap is because of the imagery. That's not to say that there isn't any rap of substance out there, because that's not true. But the most popular music seems to be a vehicle for other products. Rappers are constantly advertising shoes, cars, clothing brands, etc. And it's everywhere teenagers tend to be - MTV (and TV in general), Myspace, AIM Radio, in video games and movies about fast cars and guns...

Basically, they like rap because they're surrounded by it and eventually they just take a liking to it. If the corporations behind popular rap music wanted to switch to heavy metal, eventually it would be a major mainstream thing. It's all about presentation.

Shut_Me_Up

Bravo sir. I agree with pretty much everything you said there.  :)

Im writing a paper for school on why todays youth are so drawn to rap music and i need some answers from people who listen to it. Answer whatever questions you want and please be honest and elaborate as much as possible if you could...

1. Why do you listen to rap music?

2. What is it about rap music you like the most/least?

DrSbaitso

1. I don't listen to rap...

2. ...because it's not very tuneful in my opinion. They don't exactly sing, and for the most part, backbeats are electronic, and instruments don't exist in their world.

Then again, I'm hooked on ska, so you can probably see why rap isn't my cup of tea.

That's a stupid paper.... People are drawn to anything.... It's like your comparing hip hop to drugs "Why people are drawn to drugs".

People listen to hip hop because it is great music and we enjoy it.... Why not write "Why people like the color blue"...THey just do, your not going to get much information for your paper.

Hip hop rocks. 

I don't necessarily care for rap/hip-hop. But I do respect it, I can't rap; so it does take some semblance of talent to become a rapper.

I'm a rocker, but there are a few rap songs that I do like. I actually have an album of a rap artist, albiet mc frontalot. 

If you're talking about 50-cent and stuff like that...

It's the opportunity for a vicarious existence in which one feels "hardcore."  By listening to something like that, the listener feels as though it makes him tougher. 

Because It requires some sort of intellectual mind and experience to write the lyrics in rap songs....

I belive people are drawn to it because it's good music...

If you're talking about 50-cent and stuff like that...

It's the opportunity for a vicarious existence in which one feels "hardcore." By listening to something like that, the listener feels as though it makes him tougher.

Hexum-311

No...It is exciting maybe but people don't go around like "Oh I'm bad as * because I just listened to some fight music...."

If you think like that, than the only reason people went to see the crap that is 300 is to feel like they can go cut peoples heads off....

Best lyrics ever:

"Your hearing the last thoughts of a man about to blow his *'n brains out, fall back onto a blood stained blouse on top of his spouse, spread out on a bloodstained couch, in front of his kids he just killed in the same house!! (...) I'll throw a stroller at you, with the baby in it!" (Eminem) 

Well most people that dont really know anything about it listen to it because its popular, and they like to do whats popular. They think the lyrics are cool...about money, drugs, and sex...ever since ive been in highschool i cant believe how many people seem to only be focused on sex..so they like that..and when they see the mustic videos they think they are cool. And they are drawn into the "gangsta" life, and they think listening to the music makes them a little more like it...

I listen to rap but not the garbage on the radio and MTV..its awful. I listen to not so popular rap because i think it sounds good, i like the beat and flow of the songs... im not interested in rock music...i dont care about guitars and loud noises....and I think the lyrics in most rock songs are terrible (i know lyrics in most rap is terrible)..

Thats my opinion...

[QUOTE="Hexum-311"]

If you're talking about 50-cent and stuff like that...

It's the opportunity for a vicarious existence in which one feels "hardcore." By listening to something like that, the listener feels as though it makes him tougher.

TallicaFan2005

No...It is exciting maybe but people don't go around like "Oh I'm bad as * because I just listened to some fight music...."

If you think like that, than the only reason people went to see the crap that is 300 is to feel like they can go cut peoples heads off....

Best lyrics ever:

"Your hearing the last thoughts of a man about to blow his *'n brains out, fall back onto a blood stained blouse on top of his spouse, spread out on a bloodstained couch, in front of his kids he just killed in the same house!! (...) I'll throw a stroller at you, with the baby in it!" (Eminem)

You must not know many people that listen to 50-cent.

The appeal of rap is that it talks about sex, drugs, and violence...it makes people feel rebellious...there is a lot of bass which, for whatever reason, is considered "cool"...and it requires absolutely no thought to understand, which is why you will almost never find a real musician who listens to modern rap.

And I suppose "you can dance to it", although going to a club once a week hardly makes rap worth listening to all the time...and 90% of rap fans I know can't/won't dance anyways.

The end.

1ND1FF3R3NT

You are so wrong it's not even funny. Thousands of "real" musicians listen to rap. You're just ignorant.

Couldnt you have chosen a more interesting topic?

It just seems to me that you're too general. Not everyone I know likes RAP, and I'm not an old man.

I don't mind rap, but I prefer a different side of music. Rather than talking about drugs, money, shooting people, and the ill-side of woman nature. 

I only listen to rap because of some songs that have a meaning to it. I like those artists that write songs like that. I still listen somewhat to rap but not like I used to. The rap artists back in the early 80's and 90's had great lyrics (2Pac, B.I.G., Eazy E) yeah but now I don't listen much to modern rap unless it's a song that has a good beat. And the thing about rap music that I like the most is that it had some great artists the least thing I like about is now it isn't as good now that some rappers either retired or are dead.

YO YO YO

Check out my car

I got drunk at the bar

Cause I want to get far

JIGGA WAGGA CHAKKA LAKKA?!?!?

WORD UP MO FO

WESTSIDE!! 

Two400

The appeal of rap is that it talks about sex, drugs, and violence...it makes people feel rebellious...there is a lot of bass which, for whatever reason, is considered "cool"...and it requires absolutely no thought to understand, which is why you will almost never find a real musician who listens to modern rap.

And I suppose "you can dance to it", although going to a club once a week hardly makes rap worth listening to all the time...and 90% of rap fans I know can't/won't dance anyways.

The end.

1ND1FF3R3NT

wow a lot of people's opinions about rap sound a lot like they want them to be facts...

Quincy Jones proves yours "no musician listens to rap" rule incorrect

The appeal to rap music is that (1) it's easy for the uneducated urban blacks to understand & (2) the urban blacks that make the music are expendable and we can have them shoot it out with each other for our entertainment.GodofPoop2

funny... 80% of rap music is bought my white people... so another wrong opinion passed off as fact

I thank everyone who posted honestly and truthfully and i ask you to keep um coming!

That's a stupid paper.... People are drawn to anything.... It's like your comparing hip hop to drugs "Why people are drawn to drugs".

People listen to hip hop because it is great music and we enjoy it.... Why not write "Why people like the color blue"...THey just do, your not going to get much information for your paper.

Hip hop rocks. 

TallicaFan2005

Couldnt you have chosen a more interesting topic?

It just seems to me that you're too general. Not everyone I know likes RAP, and I'm not an old man.

I don't mind rap, but I prefer a different side of music. Rather than talking about drugs, money, shooting people, and the ill-side of woman nature. 

PlayedThemAll

some rap is just fun to listen to, and some raps actually have meaningful lyrics, although most modern rap is pretty bad IMO...gameguru25

I like certain rap songs for the same reason I like all the music I like - it's fun to listen to. There isn't really a way to describe it... since everybody has different tastes.Funkyhamster

Just for the record, I DO NOT listen to the cars & clothes raps....

I can relate, to a certain point, some songs more than the other....And some rappers such as Nas have an amazing stort telling ability, I'm a sucker for that.

Stillmatic91

Same here, I'm also a sucker for amazing beats.

The media sold it and the kids ate it up because they follow the crowd. Not to say some people don't genuinely like it....but that's how it became a huge part of the culture. MTV did it.LJS9502_basic

"this is why im hot

im hot cause im fly

you anint cause ur not

thats about the easiest and stupedist thing anyone could write and its the most popular song

and singin about money in the bank?  easy and pointless