Sing about what you know

I've been listening to a lot of hip-hop/rap lately. Black and white artists. And I've been thinking about the perception of these genres, especially among the white folks. What I don't understand is how people who profess to love music and lyrics will go out of their way to discourse on how awful rap music is without even really listening to what they're hearing.

Folks, what they're singing about is the same shit people have been singing about since time immemorial. They're singing about sex, drugs, war, death, family. This is the same crap the Rolling Stones are lauded for. It's the same themes. Rock and roll was always about sex and drugs. So why is that rap is derided for discussing those same topics? Sure the lyrics are more explicit. Now we say "fuck" and "pussy" instead of hiding behind euphemisms like "brown sugar". People love Lou Reed's Take a Walk on the Wild Side. That song was all about transvestites, oral sex, and drugs. Little Richard steam rolled America with Tutti Frutti. That song is all about butt-fucking. Someone explain to me why those songs are classics and rap is relegated to the dumpster and I'll show you someone that doesn't understand double standards.

On another note: have you ever really listened to how a rap song is constructed? Listen to how the words are used. How the same word can be used several times in a row with different meanings and nuances. These are not ignorant hicks making shit up. These are people who understand language. And though it may not sound like it sometimes, they certainly understand it better than most English speakers. It's poetic: the way the words flow, the construction of analogies and similes, the use of slant rhyme and onomatopoeia. These people are not singers or songwriters. They're poets. Much like Dylan. I'm not saying Dylan and the latest club single are on the same level. But they way they use the language and change the language is incredible.

Lastly, people want to argue that the topics are vulgar, ribald, homophobic, and misogynistic. That may be true sometimes. But again, refer to some of your rock and roll classics. These songs are not always female friendly and they're certainly vulgar if you take the time to really understand what is being sung about. The use of "hoe", "bitch", and "nigger" is just more in-your-face because the topics aren't sugar coated. The songs are often about drugs, guns, and gangs because many of these people grew up in the worst neighborhoods in this country. They write about what they know. And without their voices, much of America would still be ignorant of what is going on in their own country.

And for god's sake STOP calling rap "black music". If you want to talk about black music, let's discuss the fact that a majority of American music is "black". Rock, blues, jazz, soul, R&B. These are all art forms with deep roots in black culture. They've been co-opted, transformed, and adopted by the mainstream white community. It's just plain stupid to say rap is "bad black music" but blues or jazz are good. Listen. I mean really listen to what is being said before deciding rap is not worth understanding. And don't just listen to the words. Listen for the meaning. Hear what the songs are about, not what you think they're about.