Is Rap really music? Of course Rap is music. What else would it be? Not only is rap music, but it is the foundation of a whole subculture.

Rap and Hip Hop sometimes get criticism because of the prevalence of Turntable DJs and sampling, instead of having live instruments creating music. People perceive this as an easy way out, but these techniques do take a certain measure of skill. Granted, I'm sure that it is harder to learn to play guitar or drums than it is to learn to spin records, but they all take practice. Not to mention the fact that some groups, such as the Sugarhill Gang and the Roots, have made Hip Hop with live bands.

Much like the Punk Rock of the 1970s opened the door to let kids know that they could rock way before they had the technical skill to play a Led Zeppelin guitar solo, the emergence of Rap music gave kids a new avenue of expression that didn't require a lot of musical ability.

Rap songs have beats and melodies, verses and choruses, just like Rock and Roll, but the emphasis is on the lyrical rhymes instead of the music, which is often repetitive. While most rappers don't play guitar, it is also fair to say that most guitarists haven't developed the skills to be effective rappers. There truly is an art to it.

Some people criticize Rap and Hip Hop for shallow subject matter of girls, grills, guns, bling and dubs on the '6-4, but it is the artists right to say whatever they want. It's called Freedom of Speech. However, not all rap is about the same topics; I personally prefer artists like Public Enemy and Immortal Technique who deliver scathing criticisms of the modern world instead of materialistic celebrations.

Learn more about this author, Billy Sunshine.
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