So this comes a lot later than I wanted it to, because I've been so busy with work and other things that I've had to keep putting it off, but now I get a propertunity to follow up on my last Take that talked about why and how I as a black man hate rap and hip hop.
I write this follow up to respond to some of the people who commented more properly than just replying to their opinions. Since the Take got something of a good bit of traction I couldn't answer everybody in the way I wanted to, so this follow up should do. I was surprised at the way a lot of the females actually stood up for rap and hip hop, while many of the guys got where I was coming from, even if they themselves did like it; they were much more level-headed. Some people might think this is an apology but they're gonna be sorely disappointed. I'm not taking back a single thing I said from the first Take. At all. I just want to respond to everybody better so they might get the picture.
"Rap isn't just about money and hoes"...
Is the general response some people gave, explaining that rap also has been about social movements and injustice. This is true, but the vast majority of rap still has nothing to do with standing up for what's right or going against the power structures. The Tupacs, Futures, and B.O.B.s of the rap industry are still few. Rap makes its money and image mainly from cheese and trash lyrics, and doesn't even entirely hide that. In fact, if you're a rapper who doesn't use a lot or any foul language or garbage lyrics, you actually aren't going to get taken very seriously and rap producers won't really want to work with you a whole lot or will urge you to be grittier. I used to know a buddy on another site who raps love stuff and would share his mixes with me on Soundcloud. He never could get a producer or DJ to take him seriously, and it's because he's not into main rap style. And, yes, generally you do have to look thugish or somewhat 'bad' to get taken seriously in the industry.
The guy who said, "I like how n*ggas on GAG all write takes so they can appear special in a desperate attempt for women to want them. I'm a black man and I hate rap music. See ladies I'm different from other black men and I'm special."
This was so funny because it was so incredibly stupid. I don't have to write anything to get women to want me, nor do I care if they think I'm different just because I say I don't like rap. I say I don't like it because that's how I feel. Has absolutely nothing to do with whether women would find that desirable or not, nor should it matter. There are actually white girls who would hate me for saying I hate rap and hip hop just as much as the black ones do too, so that doesn't even come close to a logical or intelligent comment, lol.
It seems to be that just because a black man isn't into something predominantly black, he's doing it to please white people or white women, and it makes no sense. I've been vocal about liking white chicks, but just because I don't like something black has nothing to do with your attraction them. That's like middle-school-type logic.
"What's the point of you saying you're a black man who hates rap?"
This was also a general statement said more than once, and I really don't even know why or how anyone would have to ask it because it doesn't take rocket science.
Black men generally are stereotyped as liking rap and hip - and not just from white people but also my own race. You usually are expected to like it. And when white people stereotype you for it it gets to be very annoying. However, many black men are fine with being known for loving rap and hip hop. And I'm not. And that's really the basic point. I don't fit with the mold.
"Rock these days is lacking compared to pop/rap which evolves to meet the new times."
@reixun This has to be the biggest joke of the situation. You're kidding me, right? Rock music touches more people in more ways, whereas pop and rap mostly speak to a certain group. It doesn't evolve to meet new times, it evolves to stay relevant, which is why rappers and hip hoppers have to shit out album after album - sometimes year after year - so the artists can stay hot and stay on people's minds, because they fear fading out and know that the genre is about temporary thrills. Hell, even B.O.B. and T.I. themselves said as much. Whereas, rock groups don't feel a need to put out so many albums, and are content to take their time on a new one even if it takes a few years, and want it to mean something. Rappers and hip hoppers just want to get people dancing and singing their songs at the club, birthday parties, get-togethers, cookouts, etc. With a little weed or alcohol too if it's what you like.
"This is such a stupid/ignorant/uneducated Take"...
It's funny hearing this from the people who are actually sticking up for a stupid, ignorant, uneducated genre of music. And that proves just about everything I was saying to begin with. And it was pretty surprising to see most of the people sticking up for it being females. That also says a hell of a lot about their intelligence level and proves how sensitive and offended they were by it, like I was also explaining how rap and hip hop lovers get when you say you're not a fan of the stuff. Females, who talk about how this kind of music objectifies women and is foul, actually standing up for it! Can you get any crazier than that? Lol!
"What is the black woman's singing voice?"...
Was what I think @Elarra asked, or "How do black women sing?" or something like that. Again, I honestly do not know how anyone would need to ask such a question. Black women have a unique singing voice of their own, for good or bad, and it does stand out. Again, I laid it out and explained it very clearly how that voice sounds, specifically with R&B. Most people would never even think to ask how black women sing because we all know it's a different style of singing. So was the question really seeking an answer? Or just trying to see what explanation I might give so there could be more criticism or more questions?
"I mean you think everything makes black people look foolish so can't say that I'm surprised."
@CHARismatic110 So because I don't agree that rap and hip hop is the coolest and most awesome, it means I think everything makes black people look foolish. Or because you've seen me say and write about how I don't like everything our people do. Well, that's just the way it is. I agree with us and stand up for us on some things, and not others. I've stood up for us in the situations of cops killing black people and how racist the system is, and I've also scolded us for our own stupidities. I've given both hugs and chastisement. That's life. It is the way it is. You pretty much proved exactly what I said in the Take: black people get mad when you don't like rap and hip hop and say why you don't like it.
However...
I want to give a special thanks to @Tdieseler who knew exactly where I was coming from, and also @Prof_Don. Again, you were another one who said you do like hip hop but could see where I was coming from. We don't agree on everything but you got me and could still be level-headed.
Also a special thanks to @peachblossomluck, who she herself must face a similar situation with white people giving her hell for not liking country music.
And @NyomiMcClinton who lives in the same region and understands exactly how the flow is, and not in a good way. Fortunately I live in the nicer, wealthier and more diverse parts now, but I grew up in the rough part of the woods.
@Bedroomdweller You also gave a pretty good perspective from an Italian side of the situation in a similar way which I really liked the most. If I could give Best Comments on Takes, you and Tdieseler would definitely get them.
Not a lot surprises me on GaG, but with this one, I just couldn't help but facepalm and give a proper response to the critics with their selective reading - or didn't read it at all - and who really did nothing but prove what I was saying anyway. At some point people have to learn to listen and try to understand where someone is coming from without a need to strike first and think later. People have to learn to hear you for real and not just hear you so they can be ready to disagree with you.
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