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


Now it seems like it dominates the music industry, movies and fashion. My only question is why?

taters
ps, he and calvinj have each started multiple threads and appear to be arm-wrestling over the merits of rap.  It's gotten into discussions of racism and elitism.  I didn't say it at the time but I felt the thread about snooty audiophiles was actually elitist  in tone, but coming from the OP himself.  I'm sure they're both good guys but I did find it all a little weird at times.  But I digress.
If you call a person's statement racist, what does that say about the person who uttered the statement?  What kind of person makes a racist statement?  And why/how do you read racism into statements made about an art form?  Who wants to discuss music with people who brand your comments "racist" when you're just discussing the elements of music?  Not me.  And that is absolute--I do know my thoughts and feelings.  Absolutely.  You, on the other hand, do not.  Absolutely.