Ofcourse :) I'm down with the original hip hopper's b4 lyrics, when it was break drancers, loud music in the parks, street fashion, etc.
So naturally I like KRS-ONE, who is the conscieousness of rap. During my Society years I didn't really listen to rap, but some songs I cound not resist listening 2 i.e. 'Brand New Flavor in Your Ears' (Craig Mack/ Bad Boy Family), 'Vapors' (Biz Markie), 'Cross Over' (Eric B - Rakim.) My all time rappers are: Biggie Smalls, KRS-ONE, Tupac & Rakim. What impresses my about the rap world is the lyrics, not the lyrical content but the ability to tell a story in poetic form. Speaking of lyrics in that sense, Jay-Z is untouchable. I just wonder - All those guys I mentioned are reported to writing their own lyrics, but those lyrics are so crafty I fine it hard to believe they penned them all. As far as producers - Dr. Dre and P. Diddy are the best. P. Diddy did his best work with Biggie Smalls. Oh, Rza (Wu-Tang)gets props 4 his beats. Speaking of Wu-Tang, when I was an Elder, one of the Elders told me that a youth in our Hall wanted to 'be down' with Wu-Tang. In my ignorance I said 'What's a Wu-Tang?' He was baffled that I didn't know. He said - you have kids you'll find out. Needless to say I did plenty of catching up when I left the BORG :)
On a different note - I heard that Lil Kim studied or was a JW and that Biggie's mother is still a JW.
I love rap but what I don't love is the fact that many young people try to live that life. I'm old enuff to see it for what it is - entertainment. Rap brings me back to my teenage years, it's the
music i grew up with. Sure, I hate how the lyrics that degrade women, the liberal use of the N word and the materialism, but that comes with the music. I'm sure one day I'll say 'enuff' but in the mean while I'll continue to listen to rap responsibly.
Finally I hate the 'business' of rap and the videos. The rappers that should be No. 1 (KRS-ONE) are black listed b/c of their positivity. The radio stations control who gets heard and who doesn't, keeping the truly talent rappers out of the loop. The videos - Well, it's the same thing - T & A. With all the issues that African Americans are faced with, not to mention, given an audience of over a million people (mostly youths) why degrade your own people when you can EDUCATED them about the injustices? I understand it's all about what the Music Execs want, but the rappers have to put their foot down and stand on principle.
So in answer to your question, Yes, i'm into rap music but I'm also into changing it's content. In the mean while, see rap for it's entertainment value and please don't try to live that life. And have an open ear to ALL TYPES OF MUSIC.
Hollar Back Ya Heard Me - Larry :)