When rap came out 30 years ago I thought it was just a fad

Garebear,

You are so right about performers like B.B. King and James Brown having class. Like you said you just don't see any class with these rappers or hip-hop performers. I guess that is another thing that really turns me off to that genre. 

Mr. Whipsaw - thank you for your response but I did not think for one minute that that I was being ; '' challenged '' by you. Nor did I soften my opinion or point of view as a result of your comments about what I think of rap music. That form of  ''music'' will unfortunately will stay around, but will not have the same sustainability as the artists that I have mentioned. The point ; The Beatles catalog can now be '' streamed ''  and was welcomed with great success.....50 years later ! I will not be around, but I highly doubt that  ; Public Enemy, NWA will have THAT same kind of public reception or success in 50 years. I do see any dissonance in that comment. If you did take the time to read my original post or listen to the artists that I have mentioned, that has been my point all along. I hope to god that you or others do not place the ; 2pacs and Jay-z of the world in the same category as the ; James Browns, The BB Kings, Miles Davis or the Bob Dylans of the world etc.......as that would be an even bigger issue. "That music'' is an art form as I said and get it - but I will still stand by the point that it in no way does it compare to the true artists and musicians whose music has stood the very test of time and whose music will always be there for us to listen to and enjoy.         

Well it doesn't surprise me that there is definitely a generation gap in music. I respect the legacy of BB King, Miles Davis and Bob Dylan's. They are great musicians.  I used to represent one of the guys who played with BB.  He was a great guy as well. I'm a fan of the great Lightnin Hopkins. Those guys can never be compared to what's out here today or any of the rappers. I would never do that. However, I'm happy business wise for them. I hope that the genre takes a turn back to the less stingy song and fake tough guy posing that's going on now. I hope they do that not for the outsiders that look in and judge that 30% that is misinformed or will never like it. I hope it changes more for itself to continue its reign over popular culture. " It needs to worry about the internal thought inside itself not the rants of those outside the culture. Enjoy whatever you listen to. I like Jazz the most.  For those who like jazz go listen to Duke Pearson's album "The Right Touch" great hidden gem that has some of the greatest musicians ever playing on it. 

onhwy61, you asked if I

might not have the knowledge to understand how the musicians are using these elements? With all due respect, while you are engaging in a discourse you seem to have closed your mind on the subject.

1) What knowledge do I need to have?  Do you mean schooling, performance experience, listening experience--please be specific and then I'll know which information to provide.  And tell us where you got your "knowledge," if you don't mind.

2) What specifically have I said that makes you think I have a "closed mind on the subject?"

@garebear 

We happen to be in basic agreement about the specific comparisons that you have made. While I do believe, for reasons that I have noted, that rap will endure, and that the best and most important of its performers will have long lasting legacies, I do not put them in the same category as the likes of Beatles, Dylan, James Brown, etc.

Also, like you, I prefer most other forms of music to rap.

But having said that, even if one doesn't like spoken word lyrics laid over raw beats, it is useful to listen to the messages that the best rap artists brought/bring to the table, as they remind listeners, often in pungent terms, of deeply important problems that challenge America and much of the rest of the world, namely class, race, poverty and inequality.