Why Was There Never a Backlash Against Rap/Hip-Hop?

[Disco Funk]

I think there was a point when rap almost died. In the mid-80s when they switched over to drum machines from live bands playing the backing tracks, the tunes really started to get lame. I wasn't wasn't a hard core rap music fan at the time, so I don't recall if it started getting less airplay in the clubs or black radio stations. All I know is that when those producers started using samplers and albums like Eric B & Rakim's Paid In Full and Public Enemy's It Takes A Nation of Millions came out in '87/'88, it really blew up big time. NWA's Straight Outta Compton was the album that really kicked off the gangsta rap thing, which I'm not too crazy about. But I do like the NWA stuff.

Disco Funk

[remicks]

Originally Posted by remicks

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Now ... if you would ..... can you please describe a contemporary night out for the modern day cRAPPERs crowd so that I can reciprocate with equally deserving envy ??

Never mind ... I've answered my own question and all I can say is ... IT FIGURES !! ....ABC News: New Teen Car Craze: Ghost Riding the Whip



In cities like Stockton, officials say ghost riding is a growing problem, especially when it is part of what's called "sideshows" — illegal group gatherings characterized by loud music ( GUESS WHAT KIND ) and automobile acrobatics.
Sideshows have reportedly resulted in eight deaths.



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[FranceJoliFan]

Hip-Hop doesn't arouse the same passion as disco. It requires some talent. But no more talent than auctioning off livestock.

Hip-Hop is attitude masquerading as musicianship. And it's detached. It gives the impression that any idiot can pick up a mic and sound cool. So attacking Hip-Hop would be like attacking yourself.

Disco actually took skill to produce. Lots of fine studio musicians and singers performed on these records. And when you listen to some of them today they sound downright orchestral.

Disco's deep dark secret was how creative it was. And how much musical talent was involved.

But I think the real reason for the disco backlash is that all these stoner rocker dudes were afraid to dance. And all the happy people on the dancefloor made them feel self-conscious.

[remicks]

Originally Posted by FranceJoliFan

Hip-Hop doesn't arouse the same passion as disco. It requires some talent. But no more talent than auctioning off livestock.

Hip-Hop is attitude masquerading as musicianship. And it's detached. It gives the impression that any idiot can pick up a mic and sound cool. So attacking Hip-Hop would be like attacking yourself.

Disco actually took skill to produce. Lots of fine studio musicians and singers performed on these records. And when you listen to some of them today they sound downright orchestral.

Disco's deep dark secret was how creative it was. And how much musical talent was involved.

But I think the real reason for the disco backlash is that all these stoner rocker dudes were afraid to dance. And all the happy people on the dancefloor made them feel self-conscious.

Excellent !!!! So well said . Agree 100%
One of my favorte posts of late FJF !

"auctioning off livestock' is a hilarious comparison because it is so similar ... just rapid fire spewing of practiced verbage ......

welcome to the board ...I see you've joined awhile back , but hope you'll now post more

Remicks

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[FranceJoliFan]

Thanks, Remicks. I'll definitely post more.

I love reading other people's disco expertise. I gained my knowledge from buying records and reading music charts. But I didn't get to hear the music firsthand in the discos (unless you count the teen discos circa 1980.)

My favorites are Peter Jacques Band/Macho/Revanche, Gino Soccio, France Joli, Fever, Debbie Jacobs, Change, Kano, Chic, St. Tropez, Patrick Cowley, Lime, Musique, Madleen Kane, Cerrone, and Gregg Diamond. I like heavily orchestrated disco--especially Destination. And R&B disco--especially Shalamar. And countless one-hit wonders and novelty acts. And did I mention Dan Hartman, Ann-Margret, Karen Silver, Boystown Gang, Passengers, Tantra, Giorgio Moroder, Grace Jones, Tuxedo Junction, El Coco, Inner Life, Theo Vaness, Candy Staton, Ritchie Family, Carrie Lucas, Peter Brown, Sylvester, Donna Summer, and many many more?

And to bring it back to the original topic...

I do like some rap music:

"Funk You Up" by The Sequence
"Monster Jam" by Spoonie G and The Sequence
"That's The Joint" by Sugarhill Gang & Funky 4 + 1.

Those were fun to dance to. I also liked "It's Good To Be The Queen" by Sylvia. And I even bought "It's Good To Be The King" by Mel Brooks. But I haven't warmed up to much post-Sugarhill rap. I liked Gettin' Jiggy Wit It and Miami by Will Smith. But that had a lot to do with his background music selection.

[MsPaint]

Originally Posted by FranceJoliFan

Hip-Hop doesn't arouse the same passion as disco. It requires some talent. But no more talent than auctioning off livestock.

Hip-Hop is attitude masquerading as musicianship. And it's detached. It gives the impression that any idiot can pick up a mic and sound cool. So attacking Hip-Hop would be like attacking yourself.

Disco actually took skill to produce. Lots of fine studio musicians and singers performed on these records. And when you listen to some of them today they sound downright orchestral.

Disco's deep dark secret was how creative it was. And how much musical talent was involved.

But I think the real reason for the disco backlash is that all these stoner rocker dudes were afraid to dance. And all the happy people on the dancefloor made them feel self-conscious.

It's a sad day!!!!
I don't think you guys really know what HipHop/ Rap REALLY is!!!!
All this commercialized shit that you're listening to is Not HipHop/ Rap!!!
Get into some underground shit where rappers are not talking about bling-bling or shake your ass or I'll kill you cause you a window shopper and all that bull shit!!!
That shit ain't real HipHop!!!
You think you know about HipHop/ Rap?
You don't know a damn thing!!!!!

[paul]

MsPaint,
I'd love to read your take on what rap/hip-hop is all about.

[FranceJoliFan]

Of course there's some good underground HipHop/Rap. The same way there was great underground disco. But during the "backlash" people were judging disco by what they heard on Top 40 radio. And a lot of that, imo, was good. But there was a lot of fine disco the average person never got to hear.

Same thing with HipHop/Rap. If there was a backlash, the average person would be judging it on the gangsta rap they hear on pop radio. Or the videos they see on MTV or VH1. Would that kind of backlash be justified? I suppose that's up to individual taste.

It seems that the airwaves are more saturated with HipHop than they ever were with disco. And HipHop has had a longer shelf life. And the criticism that disco was repetitive and all sounded the same applies equally (if not more so) to HipHop. That's why many of us are surprised that HipHop didn't receive a similar backlash. It's not a criticism of underground Rap, or of music anyone personally likes.

So thanks for your input, MsPaint. Just be aware that your 4-letter ranting causes you to lose credibility.

[markydefad]

to quote what I hear in most RAP...

"wut....wut.....wut....wut....wut....wut....wut... wut....wut....wut....wut..."

(Repeat)

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by FranceJoliFan

It gives the impression that any idiot can pick up a mic and sound cool. .

That's a very interesting comment. It isn't just modern rap that this applies to. I find that most music in recent years whatever the genre is stripped down & boring & anyone could basically do it, & that seems to be what people want now. Is this a symptom of a dumned down society? I grew up in the 70s & 80s when most new records constantly pushed back the boundaries with production techniques & musical sounds; I had my mind blown by new & interesting tracks on a frequent basis. Nowadays however most records sound like a 6 year old with no idea about music made them. Maybe they did! Isn't it sad to see popular music become so dreary? I s'pose people get the music they deserve.(I don't want to get too philosophical but what does that say about modern life?! ) Even when a brilliant producer who did amazing things in the past (e.g. Quincy Jones, Nile Rodgers or Trevor Horn) makes a record nowadays it sounds dreary & rubbish; why is this? Why doesn't anyone make records that sound interesting anymore?

[FranceJoliFan]

SandraDee: I think that's one reason karaoke is so popular. People want to hear older music. And even if newer discs are available, I usually notice people performing the "classics." But if it is newer material, it's usually a guy singing Tim McGraw or Toby Keith. The kinds of songs any guy thinks he can do after a few beers. I rarely hear people performing Britney or Justin or Eminem. Occasionally some modern rock. And also why retro nights are so popular at nightclubs. But time will tell. So we'll have to see if twenty years from now Beyonce is as legendary as Donna Summer. If Fatboy Slim still gets played. If Fergie is...hmmm...

[Mixmachine]

Originally Posted by markydefad

to quote what I hear in most RAP...

"wut....wut.....wut....wut....wut....wut....wut... wut....wut....wut....wut..."

(Repeat)

Hey Marky, Have you ever tried to whistle a Rap song???

How about adapting a Rap song to an instrumental "Smooth Jazz" version??

That ought to give anyone an idea of the musical value of Rap!!!

know wut am saying, Yeah... wut wut wut...

[Videoskooter]

Originally Posted by Mixmachine

Hey Marky, Have you ever tried to whistle a Rap song??

Yo, this 1 :



Now, say WUT!

Hey, why bother about it when we got New Power Soul!

The exodus has begun my friends, you'd better be prepared!