I avoid rap on account of the language. ^^ For the most part, I find swearing lacking in artistic creativity. There are times when it fits, but most of the time I think people use it just because they can.

Oh and I agree with Dagger. Making something for yourself, even if you love it, doesn't mean it's any good for the rest of the public.

-Sabrina

My take on it is kind of like James' and kind of not. I think that creating art for purely your own self-satisfaction doesn't disqualify it as art... however, it doesn't necessarily qualify it for public consumption, particularly on a commercial basis. Your responsibility is to your audience, and sometimes people are happy enough with having themselves as their primary audience, I guess.

Yeah, I pretty much agree. Rap rubs me the wrong way, if you know what I mean. *:*is shot*:* I really just don't like it. The lyrics are terrible too. . .Well most of them.
There is a song called I Need To F*** The System(Or something like that) It's by System of A Down. That song is just ripe with swear words. >>
I think people should expand their vocabulary or stfu.

I guess bad art is bad art to some extent, but I don't think that creating something to satisfy yourself is equivalent to a failure of one's craft.

In fact, I think an artist must be satisfied with his or her own work. It must fulfill their standards before it can hope to impress others.

On the other side of the coin, what about "music artists" who try to create songs only for a demographic? I mean, people and companies that are not passionate about what they create, but instead view it as a purely commercial enterprise?

I think the reality is usually somewhere in the middle.

And you sir have hit exactly on why I do not listen to rap at all.

~Nathan

Amen, brotha.

I think I love you. *hug* That brought a tear to my eye.

i completly agree. i can hardly listen to the radio at all nowadays. the only station i can listen to is Radio Disney.

I could not concur more.
Seriously, this is why I hate most rap (and some hip-hop too). The lyrics are so filthy and self-congratulatory that I can't stand to listen to it.

It feels like some media execs just decided one day to proclaim rap as "good" and then the masses followed. Otherwise, I can't understand the popularity of it. :/

Totally 100% agree with you. I really despise Rap and other related genres, not only for the overabundance of foul language and the generally crass subject material, but also... I just don't like the sound of it. It's just a lot of noise to me. No melody.

I'm eternally happy that I stumbled on Progressive stuff, because it's one of the last bastions of originality and creativity. The bands really make music for the love of doing so, and because they truly love their fans. They aren't subject to the constraints that "the industry" has placed on music.

I just love how blunt you are. =3 And I agree, I dislike most rap for the same reason. Lack of creativity in my opinion when an artist keeps falling back on the same medium to express themselves.

~Crystia