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Do you think that rap is poetry? Why or why not? In your opinion, what's the relationship between rap and poetry?

i think rap is poetry. i listen to rap and it isn't all about gun violence and money and cars. there are alot of smart rappers out there who speak about world issues. they tackle subjects like poverty and discrimination in verse. they are no less poetic in my mind then someone who writes poems about flowers and meadows. rap is poetry they are connected because they are one in the same. rap is poetry to music.

See, I'v always wondered about this! I agree with Linda in that good rappers that don't just go on and on about guns and violence and sex are definatly working with poetry. In a way its probably an unexplored art form, maybe they should rap about flowers and meadows as well .

I had a look at the beat poets but somehow, its not the same thing as rap...

Still, I run a creative writing club for nine and ten year olds of a veeery wide range of abilities and I use rap songs to teach them about how sound and rhythm work in poetry. And it works. So there must be something to it!

Then again, looking at someone like Tom Waits. His songs are undoubtably in my mind poetry, and to music. Yet I would hardly call him a rap artist. So rap must be more than just poetry to music.

Yes, Rap is poetry. What is the style? Narrative Poetry.

Of course it is poetry. Some of it may not be good poetry. Some of it may be very bad poetry. Some of it may excellent poetry. All in all, it still is poetry.

In a lyrical sense yes! I actually love to rap lol!! I'm not joking either I'm not too bad for a nerdy white girl, haha

Star wrote: I'm not too bad for a nerdy white girl, haha

Haha... that is the best thing ever!

Its so refreshing to hear people with an open minded opinion on something as controvercial as rap. I personally really like some rap music. Some of it is very intelligent and takes a great amount of talent to write. I particually like politically slanted rap.

My favourites would be Jay Z, Kayne West, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminiem, NWA, Public Enemy.

clarebear wrote:Its so refreshing to hear people with an open minded opinion on something as controvercial as rap. I personally really like some rap music. Some of it is very intelligent and takes a great amount of talent to write. I particually like politically slanted rap.

My favourites would be Jay Z, Kayne West, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminiem, NWA, Public Enemy.

Stellarrrrr selection of gents there! They're defffinitely some of my favs as well Politically slanted rap is awesome Heyyyy I feel like rappin now! haha

My favorite rappers are Mos Def and Talib Kweli. I like when they make songs that are politically focused. But there are other ones that are not as political but are still very poetic, such as Joy by Talib Kweli which is about the birth of his children, and Love by Mos Def which is mostly about how his parents' love has inspired him. Both great songs, in my opinion.

Regarding the rappers who go on about sex, violence, and money, commercialism and art never mix well, in my opinion. That's why the type of music--be it hip-hop or not--on the radio, on MTV's TRL or on BET's Rap City is not generally considered high quality. It is to music what McDonald's is to food. It's meant to appeal to the lowest common denominator. I do not mean to insult mainstream art or those who produce it, but I just mean to point out that it is meant to appeal just enough to large groups, but not to be artistically deep or beautiful. From a commercial standpoint, it is preferred to have a whole lot of people like your work a little bit than to have a few people love it a lot. What sells is sex, violence, money-talking, and light-hearted fun; and that's true not only for music, but for movies, books, TV shows and so forth. And that's fine because every so often we all like to sit down and watch a relatively superficial but fun movie or go to the club and dance to some silly new song.

It is most definitely poetry. And like all other poetry, there is quality and crap!

sleepydumpling wrote: And like all other poetry, there is quality and crap!

Ain't it the truth

sleepydumpling wrote:It is most definitely poetry. And like all other poetry, there is quality and crap!

A forthright, no-nonsense opinion from Oz! I love it
Rap must be considered as poetry - just doesnt press any buttons for me, probably down to my perception of the music.
I expect if I looked beyond the bling and guns and cars and sex and violence ....there would be something worthwhile.
But why? I already have books I'll never read and music I'll never hear and places I will never visit. Time is finite (Sorry Albert).

Libellus, you could try some Aussie rap/hip hop music. Hilltop Hoods are my favourite.

Libellus wrote:

sleepydumpling wrote:It is most definitely poetry. And like all other poetry, there is quality and crap!

A forthright, no-nonsense opinion from Oz! I love it
Rap must be considered as poetry - just doesnt press any buttons for me, probably down to my perception of the music.
I expect if I looked beyond the bling and guns and cars and sex and violence ....there would be something worthwhile.
But why? I already have books I'll never read and music I'll never hear and places I will never visit. Time is finite (Sorry Albert).

Libellus baby!! Say it isn't so! Maybe just a little Snoop?? Bit of Kayne??
Jay-ZZZZZZ...come on Libellus...go on, brush your shoulders off
ladies is pimps too, go on, brush your shoulders off