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I hate this idea that rap is all about being "emotional"

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Re: I hate this idea that rap is all about being "emotional"

Postby AbramIsaac » Feb 26th, '13, 05:04

You mean in rap specifically? As in, their are those that think rap is all about multies, or all about beats, etc?

Yep, that argument can definitely be applied to any aspect of rap music. Criticizing that attitude applies to anyone that makes a sweeping statement or attitude about the genre and who's superior based on a single aspect of the music, this is true.

The "emotionalz is better" bit is more ubiquitous though, right now especially. That's why it was brought up. Two years ago on this site, all people talked about were multis, and this thread would have happened then with the same type of discussion going on, with "being emotional" substituted with "mindless multies".

It goes further than that, but I think that's the most direct way to address your question.
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Re: I hate this idea that rap is all about being "emotional"

Postby 12characters » Feb 26th, '13, 05:18

Because of Youtube comments? I admire Blu's effort to contribute to site that was dying, but I'm really curious as to why this is a big deal. Did I miss an argument?
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Re: I hate this idea that rap is all about being "emotional"

Postby AbramIsaac » Feb 26th, '13, 05:24

YouTube comments are an indication of this pervasive attitude among some rap and hip hop fans.

He's just ranting about it.
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Re: I hate this idea that rap is all about being "emotional"

Postby EminemBase » Feb 26th, '13, 17:04

CrashBand wrote:But I think EmBase and Blu are a bit guilty of dismissing the ability to get people to relate well to your songs - it's still a skill.


I don't think it's hard at all.

Pick something you've been through...

Death of a loved one.

Depression.

Trying to beat all odds.

These are things WE ALL go through, and if you write something clear and expressive (just has to be understood) concerning any of these kinds of themes, and are in the public eye, lots of stupid people will fawn over your 'depth' and 'writing real shit', even if it's mediocre and contains no artful elements. It's not easy to write it very well, or make art out of it ("The Way I Am"), and the better you write it means the more engaging it is; but a lot of writers / rappers get credit from people for the simple fact of writing about these things, even when the lyrics are terrible. But 'it's deep man'.

As long as you can express yourself, even on a basic level. If you can communicate the fact you've had a bad day, people will relate to, simply because they have bad days, and think similar to what you wrote. That in itself is very easy and the least creative route for material.

I think stupid people aren't used to analyzing themselves very much so when they hear a thought about depression expressed in a lyric, even badly, they give it more praise than its due lmao.
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Re: I hate this idea that rap is all about being "emotional"

Postby Slim Fiasco » Feb 26th, '13, 20:09

Rap is about being creative.
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Re: I hate this idea that rap is all about being "emotional"

Postby CrashBand » Feb 26th, '13, 21:39

EminemBase wrote:I think stupid people aren't used to analyzing themselves very much so when they hear a thought about depression expressed in a lyric, even badly, they give it more praise than its due lmao.

Always a good point, lol.

But yeah, it's definitely an emotional connection when we relate to something, and we arbitrarily rate it above something else.

I remember being guilty of rating this segment from Drug Ballad

This ecstasy's, got me standin' next to you
Getting sentimental as fuck, spillin' guts to you
We just met, but I think I'm in love with you
But you're on it too, so you tell me you love me too
Wake up in the mornin' like "Yo, what the fuck we do?"
I gotta go bitch, you know I have stuff to do
Cause if I get caught cheatin' then I'm stuck with you

as one of the highest on MMLP, simply because it rang true/hit a chord. (not implying it isn't good writing).

Although, I still don't think it's as easy as you're implying - perhaps the vague/broad shit "alarm didn't go off, now I'm late for work" - but little things similar to great situational comedy, shit "non-stupid" people don't tend to think about, but still relate to.
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Re: I hate this idea that rap is all about being "emotional"

Postby Blu » Feb 26th, '13, 22:02

12characters wrote:Because of Youtube comments? I admire Blu's effort to contribute to site that was dying, but I'm really curious as to why this is a big deal. Did I miss an argument?

The reason this is a big deal is because it requires little effort. Picasso didn't paint pictures that people could relate to, because his paintings actually took TALENT, and WORK. Not to bad mouth any up-and-coming rappers that have never exercised their creativity and only fall back on using their emotions to succeed, but you shouldn't be wasting your time and resources making songs that the average person could write. There's nothing wrong with emotional songs, as Eedee pointed out, many people vent that way. It's only natural, but don't expect respect or props if you fill your catalog with those types of songs because you know that's what people like. That's the dividing line. That's what stops that piece from being a heartfelt, emotional song to a "my fans like this so I'll continue to make more".

THEN, another problem arises, and other rappers see THOSE rappers are becoming successful through those emotional songs, which causes the OTHER rappers to start creating emotional songs for success as well. Which ends up completely running complex and thought-provoking rappers (like Eminem) out of business.

I hope that's cleared it up for you.
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Re: I hate this idea that rap is all about being "emotional"

Postby AbramIsaac » Feb 28th, '13, 00:25

Right, as everyone has said, it's all about doing it in an interesting and unique way.

What Blu is getting at would be like comparing Nelly to Aesop Rock, and saying Nelly was a better rapper because he made songs about life (ie, "The Ring") whereas Aesop Rock doesn't. Yet, Aesop Rock continuously writes about life, but does it in a way that isn't immediately obvious and emotionally charged to the average listener.

Have that same person listen to "The Ring" and "Gopher Guts" and they would pick "The Ring" every time. Even though they are about similar things, the way that it is put across on "Gopher Guts" isn't obviously emotional enough for some people to catch. To me though, it's a much more honest and confessional song.
"America...just a nation of two hundred million used car salesmen with all the money we need to buy guns and no qualms about killing anybody else in the world who tries to make us uncomfortable" — Hunter S. Thompson

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Re: I hate this idea that rap is all about being "emotional"

Postby LEVITIKUZ » Feb 28th, '13, 01:04

Blu Logic

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Re: I hate this idea that rap is all about being "emotional"

Postby AbramIsaac » Feb 28th, '13, 01:24

No, that's not what he's saying.

He's saying that people who don't appreciate the other aspects of lyricism often times rate one song over another and label it as "better" simply because it appeals to their emotions. By extension, that person would also rate one artist over another by the number of emotional songs they have, regardless of talent or innovation.
"America...just a nation of two hundred million used car salesmen with all the money we need to buy guns and no qualms about killing anybody else in the world who tries to make us uncomfortable" — Hunter S. Thompson

"Poison the well, your enemies are thirsty!" — Modest Mouse
Jesus Christ wrote:Fuck all South Pacific island and island-continents.
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