New Fashion Board 10-3-2003 - 11-7-2003

[Pretty Little Flower]

Originally posted by LessinSF
The Beatles were the exception that proved the rule that most really popular music sucks ass.

Agreed.

And I should have said "popular rap" instead of "rap" because there is good music in the genre.

Agreed, of course.

That said, "rap" is this generation's "rock" withall the commercial and pop crap that comes with it.

True.

It is not rebelious or an evolving artform anymore - it is mainstream, commercial, and 90% of it is crap.

Here is where you trip up. Just because a large percentage of rap is mainstram, commercial crap, doeas not mean that it is not a rebellious or evolving art form. There is a hell of a lot going on on the fringes of rap/hip hop that is creative, innovative, even avant-garde. But you are generally not going to hear it on commercial radio (with some exceptions - e.g., OutKast).

Having the top 10 positions on Billboard's chart is just public affirmation of that and whichever rappers hold those spots (I have no idea and don't care) are likely making music no more challenging or worthwhile than "Brandy, You're a Fine Girl."

This statement does not support your broad thesis or undermine mine. I also don't know who holds the top 10 positions, and probably do not know their work, unless (as I think is quite possible) OutKast is there - although as is always the case, their top ten single is likely to be one of the weaker tracks on the album. ("Ms. Jackson" was down toward the bottom of Stankonia, in my opinion.) I have also never heard of "Brandy, You're a Fine Girl." I listen to no commercial radio stations and do not watch videos on TV. In many ways, I am pretty out of touch with music these days. But, I have been to lots of hip hop shows in the last year, and I like what's going on.