Rap, meaning ‘rhythm and poetry’, is a genre of
music that involves reciting words rapidly and rhythmically over an instrumental backing. Rap originates from African American culture, some of its most notable artists being Tupac Shakur, Rakim, Dr Dre, Biggie Smalls, etc.
‘Rhythm’ refers to the flow and
beat of the instrumental backing, as well as how deftly the words are recited.
‘Poetry’ refers to the lyrics, usually involving social and/or political issues in addition to personal life stories and experiences.
An issue that many old school rap fans take up with rappers nowadays is that they
don’t produce nor write their own
music, which was a big part of the rap genre. Some claim that this takes away from the background of the genre, and how the lyrics in rap songs were used as an outlet for black people facing oppression in
America.
Old school fans tend to value the lyrics and the emotional value of rap songs, whereas newer fans tend to value the
beat and how successful the song can be.
(Note: Not all new rappers are distasteful. For example, Kendrick Lamar, Tink, J.Cole, and others do implement lyrics about issues black people face today into their
music.)
Old School Fan: All these
kids put a ‘Lil’ in front of their name and call the lyrics they bought off of some B grade producer ‘rap’.
New Fan: The lyrics don’t matter as much as the
beat. If they’re talking so fast you can’t hear the lyrics, then they don’t matter. To make it a successful song that sells you need a catchy
beat, not deep lyrics.