What Has Happened to Rap?

I listen to rap, though not a lot but im curious, is rap really rap. All these boys talking bout **** and fake hard ships, throwing the "projects" in the cut constantly. Is that real. Like how back in the days men and some women wrote rap, and then the other people who listened could see what was going on. Rappers like Tupac Shakur (RIP) lived by and died by what they wrote. That is rap. SO in conclusion how do you view rap is some of it to soft and fake or is it real and heartfelt yet deep and real. To you what is rap really about.

As for the state of rap/hip-hop. . . well it's become corporate and thus the entire spectrum is not being heard. There are still "backpackers" and regional and national "street legends" who will never get shine in this current climate unless they sell out to what the corporation (more specifically **** Universal) wants you to sell. The few rap groups who bring something different to the table (ie the Roots, Talib Kweli, Mos Def); are already backed by Universal Music Group. Others, who might have something positive to say, or some profound poetry to share are shut out of radio play.

If you have any love for music as an art. I found POD to be the best to convert rock haters into rock lovers. POD rules. Thunder

I've always listened to other types of music, growing up in Germany, AFN carried very little rap anyway. But rap is the heart, the pulse of black culture now. Much like R & B was back when it was called soul. So it takes a special place in our hearts. To see it fall, and fall so far, is disheartening.

to the person who said quit being so closed minded. i am not closed minded in fact music is not in the beat it is in the lyrics. i am not judgemental in fact i own plenty of latin ragae rock and old old old music i was commenting on rap from how i see it and i was curious of the views, but no no no i am far from being accustomed to one kind of music. there are black records written or produced by white people so hey lol who are we to complain. im just saying you know the roots and and etc...they are lyrical geniuses and others to its just rap is slowly becoming straight up hip hop and r and b...im not closed minded