what are you bumpin in your G?

[Cali 2 Balti G]

The fact that you used BDP and Public Enemy as references tells me alot!!!! I'm sorry I doubted you

I agree that most of the rap on the radio is preaching violence or even worse empty materialism and misogyny. There are some more conscious rappers although they don't get as much airplay. Much of the stuff being pushed is pure fluff - interesting still is the demographics of the consumer - you might assume that young black males are the predominant customer - but this is not the case.

Artists like Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common etc. can rap about real issues. Mos Def had a deep song that was just about water - about how necessary it is for life, how corporations pollute it, "purify" it, bottle it and sell it back to us, etc. I'll try to throw together a collection for you of what I consider to be good rap music.

[grantman240z]

I listen to Stillen.

[sperrino47]

unfortunatly, i hated the bose system, and was the first thing i changed in the car... right now my ipod is on the new rick riss album : ) im speedin is ofcourse my fav song

[Sentientbydesign]

I don't know about specific songs, but I'm in the process of burning my 6 mp3 cds right now...

so far Im thinkin:

1 disc of my fav bone thugs-n-harmony songs1 disc of my fav westcoast rap (dj quik, dre, warren g etc)1 disc of my fav 90s rap1 disc of my fav early 00s rap1 disc of my fav recent stuff1 disc of my fav laid back music

Can I get copies? lol

Ever since I got married, my wife has sub-consciously ruinned my CD collection (and mind you, I used to DJ). She thinks leaving them in a stack on top of the stereo (no covers) is a form of easy access.

[Sentientbydesign]

Surprising how many Rockers there are.

I've been bumpin The Tokyo Drift Soundtrack, because it's good speeding music (Tracks 1,2,9,10).

I also just threw in BMG (Blue Man Group). The first CD. I love the sound of PVC music

Based on the info so far. I'd never drive with Telco. His influences are clear in his 87 octane, Autozone Oil, and "Political Radio" selections. And they all scare me

I would never ride with G_Whizz either, but his SO would be ok.

Have I made you all feel good about yourselves today by reminding you that you're all OLD

Imma go

[SVTCOBRA]

I listen to classic rock, jazz, country.... love when a GNR tune comes on.Yes, I listen to the radio mainly.

I hate gansta rap ( the SH** my oldest son used to listen to) with a passion!!! Sorry if I offend....well, not really.

Very happy when his taste moved to reggae check out Hope Massive sometime...

[W661335PF]

I listen to classic rock, jazz, country.... love when a GNR tune comes on.Yes, I listen to the radio mainly.

I hate gansta rap ( the SH** my oldest son used to listen to) with a passion!!! Sorry if I offend....well, not really.

Very happy when his taste moved to reggae check out Hope Massive sometime...

"Whether music negatively affects behavior has been debated from Elvis to Eminem. Now, a Canadian study has found that, when it comes to rap music and French Canadian teens at least, certain sub-genres of hip-hop are associated with different troubling behaviors.

In a study of 350 male and female teens, researchers Dave Miranda and Michel Claes of the University of Montreal found that kids who listened to French language rap were more likely to use drugs, commit crimes and be in street gangs than those who listened to English language hip-hop/soul, a more hedonistic style of music that celebrates luxury and sexual feats.The study controlled for the teens' exposure to violent media and influence of peer groups. All subjects were bilingual.

Teens who listened to American rap, however, were less likely to commit theft than those who preferred gangsta/hardcore rap. And ironically, gangsta rap enthusiasts were the least likely to belong to a gang." Journal of Youth and Adolescence.

[1njen]

It depends on the rap/hip-hop you are listening to... your typical bling bling rap is probably going to bombard you with negative messages. Real fans know to stick with the real stuff.

[SVTCOBRA]

"Whether music negatively affects behavior has been debated from Elvis to Eminem. Now, a Canadian study has found that, when it comes to rap music and French Canadian teens at least, certain sub-genres of hip-hop are associated with different troubling behaviors.

In a study of 350 male and female teens, researchers Dave Miranda and Michel Claes of the University of Montreal found that kids who listened to French language rap were more likely to use drugs, commit crimes and be in street gangs than those who listened to English language hip-hop/soul, a more hedonistic style of music that celebrates luxury and sexual feats.The study controlled for the teens' exposure to violent media and influence of peer groups. All subjects were bilingual.

Teens who listened to American rap, however, were less likely to commit theft than those who preferred gangsta/hardcore rap. And ironically, gangsta rap enthusiasts were the least likely to belong to a gang." Journal of Youth and Adolescence.

hmmm. ... interesting...I've also seen first hand it's destructive power.

Would not wish it upon any other parent, I understand that most here are not.

Sorry for a moment of being serious....promise not to let the raw nerve expose itself past this post....

[G'd up]

that new lupe fiasco album.

[gwoods]

"

Teens who listened to American rap, however, were less likely to commit theft than those who preferred gangsta/hardcore rap. And ironically, gangsta rap enthusiasts were the least likely to belong to a gang." Journal of Youth and Adolescence.

While sir mix a lot fans were least likely to "like big buts"?

I listen to everything but country,

[CYO44Baseball32]

Put you on the Game- The GameDo your Thang - P$C ft. TI

Def beats to Cruse with

[Rishi_B]

Can I get copies? lol

Ever since I got married, my wife has sub-consciously ruinned my CD collection (and mind you, I used to DJ). She thinks leaving them in a stack on top of the stereo (no covers) is a form of easy access.

haha, well I don't know about the actual files, but I can hook you up with the playlists if you want (when I'm done - this is an extenuating process for me. The song choice and order have to be just right for me to be satisfied with a cd.)

As for the discussion of rap - if you're gonna ba talking about the themes and subjects of rap, you shouldn't stereotype everything or overgeneralize from what little you may have heard. imo hip hop is one of the most diverse genres of music - especially lyrically.

Even with songs concerned with "negative" social values - misogny, violence, materialism, etc - should be analyzed in the right context, however. In the end, its all just entertainment. I have no problem watching a gangster film, so why would I object to it in musical form? Something to meditate on.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

"Whether music negatively affects behavior has been debated from Elvis to Eminem. Now, a Canadian study has found that, when it comes to rap music and French Canadian teens at least, certain sub-genres of hip-hop are associated with different troubling behaviors.

In a study of 350 male and female teens, researchers Dave Miranda and Michel Claes of the University of Montreal found that kids who listened to French language rap were more likely to use drugs, commit crimes and be in street gangs than those who listened to English language hip-hop/soul, a more hedonistic style of music that celebrates luxury and sexual feats.The study controlled for the teens' exposure to violent media and influence of peer groups. All subjects were bilingual.

Teens who listened to American rap, however, were less likely to commit theft than those who preferred gangsta/hardcore rap. And ironically, gangsta rap enthusiasts were the least likely to belong to a gang." Journal of Youth and Adolescence.

You can substitute the word "association" with correlation. In statistics one of the first rules is that Correlation does not equal Causation. In other words raps association in this example is not the same as saying rap caused the behaviour in question.

Also - as some of you are illustrating the biggest consumers of rap , gangsta rap etc are young white males.

[g35beauty03]

Urban/Hip Hop Music Videos I get from a friend who owns a Car Audio Shop.. or my Ipod that has mostly Hip Hop/R&B.

[Sentientbydesign]

You can substitute the word "association" with correlation. In statistics one of the first rules is that Correlation does not equal Causation. In other words raps association in this example is not the same as saying rap caused the behaviour in question.

Also - as some of you are illustrating the biggest consumers of rap , gangsta rap etc are young white males.

I like the direction you're going with this.

I personally like a lot of rap, hip-hop, and R&B; contrary to the studies, I do not do drugs. My drinking is very limited. And so far, my only recent trouble with the law is being accused of shooting someone's puppy with an airsoft gun.

I think the vices and choice in music have to relationships.

1st) Those who have tendencies towards those vices find that society expects them to listen to that type of music.

2nd) Some individuals lack their own direction and will be easily influenced. Only then can the music by "blamed" for their actions, but truly there is a deeper underlying issue.

Also, what the hell is up with Weezer and the Sweater song? I'm listening to random Launch music right now and that crap just came on. No tune, very ridiculous content, no amazing vocal or instrumental feats

[W661335PF]

hmmm. ... interesting...I've also seen first hand it's destructive power.

Would not wish it upon any other parent, I understand that most here are not.

Sorry for a moment of being serious....promise not to let the raw nerve expose itself past this post....

Nah, I see it too. You may find this video fascinating:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu83agSl5XM

--- Chris Rock of racism and the damaging effects of African American psyche. He shoots straight, as does Bill Cosby on this one. Both see rap is severely damaging to the Black youth culture and some of the White culture.

[Rishi_B]

I'm assuming the people who view rap as "damaging" feel the same way about films like Sin City or video games like Grand Theft Auto?

[G_whizz]

Grand theft auto... yes.

Sin City no... different ends of the spectrum IMHO.

[Rishi_B]

Grand theft auto... yes.

wow... really?

I guess there's no point in continuing this debate on my end. I didn't think that views like this were actually possible.

[Sentientbydesign]

I'm assuming the people who view rap as "damaging" feel the same way about films like Sin City or video games like Grand Theft Auto?

There is actually a therapist who uses GTA to help her younger patients with their rage problems.

Kind of a fantastical release.

I speak from an odd perspective. I was forced to become an adult at a very early age, so I don't completely agree with my "peers", but I also see that many of the older generations have lost touch with their younger selves.

We must be mindful that what is good for those who are passive and content in their old age, is not necessarily good for the younger more active members of our society.

I truly believe that those audience members who reinact what they see and hear in video games and music have a deep rooted problem in themselves, not the media that they absorbed.

Older generations treating this media as the plague and forcing restrictions on all youth is a classic case of the group paying for the sins of the individual. We just have so many people and so many problems, that we've become lazy and use blanket "solutions".

[G_whizz]

I truly believe that those audience members who reinact what they see and hear in video games and music have a deep rooted problem in themselves, not the media that they absorbed.

I agree to a point... I just think that the messages in some music and media propells those problems and makes it worse.

No one can in any way shape or form tell me that "gangsta" rap doesn't promote violence, hatred and disrespect. A solid percentage of the followers of that type of music adopt or mimic that type of attitude that that music promotes. And that can't be good for anyone.. they listen to it, get all "hyped".

You can't tell me when you listen to that kind of music... you don't start to feel all rough and tough and dangerous <<< quoting a line I heard in a song once BTW..

I can see this can easily turn into a loooong 10 page debate..so I'm just going to back away now.

[Sentientbydesign]

I don't doubt that the music has the ability to encourage hatred, lowering the value of a woman...etc.

My point is that we need to be more accountable for our actions. As I stated before. I hate having traffic jams because parents can't teach their kids not to run out of the school bus and into traffic.

I'm not a large fan of gangster rap, but I can say that I don't get hyped by it. At least not in the direction of violence.

If that kind of music serves no other purpose than to encourage radio stations to make parody songs, then it's got my nod

[W661335PF]

I saw in the catacombs beneath Rome an inscribed proverb written by monks who died >1000 years ago:

We were once like you: one day you shall be like us.

[Sentientbydesign]

HAHAHA...except, you were never like me. I was forced to grow up around the age of 4. I graduated...or got a certificate of proficiency at the age of 16. I've worked since I was 14.

All the makings of a prodigy without any of the awesome accomplishments

I'm currently making more than my peers with Bachelor's degrees. Those monks need to come talk to me!

[SVTCOBRA]

Also like when these come on the radio...takes me back..(kind of random)Hair of the Dog Bad CompanyEyes of SilverNight MovesLife in THe Fast LaneLa Grange

[BigWill]

At this particular moment, I have the following in the changer:

Foo FightersGoo Goo DollsJohn Mayer TrioChris DuartePuddle of MuddSeether

Just about the only music that will not be found in my ears is cuntree/westurn, gospel, and show tunes. Most everything else I am open to, with preferences in the hard rock, jazz and blues genre's.

[G35_Rican30]

Yo Cali no doubt, you us Nyc Peeps need to keep holding it down, i was real fortunate to be at Big Pun's Album pre-release party and when i heard some of his lyrics from Capital Punishment i was like OMG...this dude is going to blow up FAST, he also had the potential to be bigger than BIGGIE SMALLS....and thats no easy feat and it was a sad day when he passed.

Now don't get me wrong has rap music changed...yes it has...i used to remember having block parties and hearing the DJ spin some Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, Eric B & Rakim, LL Cool J, KRS 1 and numerous others and i remember how they "MOVED" the crowd, they didnt have a need for degrading women or even the need to curse, nowadays it seems that's all you hear, they are no longer moving the crowd to me its fallen off, now with me being hispanic i also grew up on Freestyle music...not freestyle rap but more like singing...artists like TKA, Stevie B, Johnny O, Coro

Also Cali if we talking about the nastiest lyricists you must include NAS, JAY-Z and the new up-comer Joell Ortiz...lets just hope the rap game can bring back the shine it used to have

[W661335PF]

HAHAHA...except, you were never like me. I was forced to grow up around the age of 4. I graduated...or got a certificate of proficiency at the age of 16. I've worked since I was 14.

All the makings of a prodigy without any of the awesome accomplishments

I'm currently making more than my peers with Bachelor's degrees. Those monks need to come talk to me!

Most of us wear our life story like a badge of honor when it's been troubling or we've overcome great odds. You've done well for yourself and should be proud. I grew up under a dictatorship and where 3rd world poverty, great fear, famine, disease, and lack of resources dominated our daily lives. My point-- everyone has an insta- story and there will always be those whose story is more painful, traumatic and difficult than ours, and whose successes will exceed ours.

The 2 point made by the ancient monks.... life is an inescapable circle, and one's life may not be worth living if there is nothing to risk or truly live for (especially since many died for their believes). You can extrapolate from there.......

[Sentientbydesign]

Awesome point of view!