Jazz for aficionados

I think we can say that RAP was hijacked. In the beginning it was good, even great. Sort of like an urban version of Dylan.

Then folks figured out you didn't much to do it. No talent or musical training. Anyone with a loud foul mouth could do it. Lot of money to be made with little overhead.

But if you don't understand the 'RAP' phenomenon, just remember the advice of Deep Throat, 'Follow the Money'!

I have a CD by Ice-T and Quincy Jones that is not too bad. Even has 'Birdland' on it. Ice-T raps.

If you want the real deal, try 'The last Poets'. I warn you, not to everyone's taste, but great and painfully accurate commentary on inner city life. From the 70s, but sadly, still revelant. And they point the finger at the correct people. Truly urban Dylan.

Currently listening to Woody Shaw's WOODY III. Will report later.

Cheers

"Aficionados", you're conflating "RAP" with social commentary. "The Last Poets" was social commentary, Gil Scott-Heron would turn over in his grave if you called him a "Rapper". Is poetry "RAP"? Not all words spoken in rhyme and rythm are "RAP".

It's the intellectual content of the "Rap" that distinguishes one rap from another. "RAP" is almost exclusively about bitches, ho's and the low life style of pimps and thugs in as vulgar a language as possible.

Get real, we're talking gang life culture that's exploited for what it's worth, that's "RAP"; however, when we blame the people caught up in that culture, we're blaming the victim for the crime.

Once upon a time, there were people called "sociologist" who worked hard to explain, and prevent thug culture from spreading; but it was much cheaper not to hire people who worked to remedy the cause of the problem, and let the people deal with it as best they could.

Although this culture is closely related to poverty, the culture remains even after the artists have become millionaires, as we have witnessed; but to understand how people caught up in that culture are the victims as opposed to the criminals is beyond current thinking in this society. "Rap" goes far beyond music or social commentary.

Now you see how easy it is to "just enjoy the music".

O-10,

If you disagree with my post, Read my first sentence again. If you are in agreement with my post, then never mind.

The poets were rappers. They just talked about different and important things with intelligence, using street language. What they created was later 'hijacked' by the thugs who turned it into the ho thingy. Just as bebop somehow ended up being 'FREE'.

The thing is defined by the first, not the current. They just corrupted it.

Cheers

Orpheus & Rok2id - hopefully not completely hijacking this thread but possibly taking it on a little off road excursion that iwill get it back to your intended course in short order....

The recent exchange about "rap" reminded me of something I heard on WXPN (adult alternative public radio out of Phila.) several years ago. It was, I think, a "pre-rap" song the gist of the lyric being that Jesus was a black man...went into some detail on His lineage justifying this take on Him. VERY powerful and literate. I'd love to listen to it again but have not been able to find it. My sense of the period it was from is probably late '60s maybe '70s. I have searched old radical black groups,black poets from the era to no avail. Hoping this might trigger a memory with you. Thanks in advance.

Orpheus & Rok2id - hopefully not completely hijacking this thread but possibly taking it on a little off road excursion that will get it back to your intended course in short order....

The recent exchange about "rap" reminded me of something I heard on WXPN (adult alternative public radio out of Phila.) several years ago. It was, I think, a "pre-rap" song the gist of the lyric being that Jesus was a black man...went into some detail on His lineage justifying this take on Him. VERY powerful and literate. I'd love to listen to it again but have not been able to find it. My sense of the period it was from is probably late '60s maybe '70s. I have searched old radical black groups & black poets from the era to no avail. Hoping this might trigger a memory with you. Thanks in advance.