Oh come on, I don't have a problem with Christianity. I like and support the teachings of Christ regarding the human condition. I just don't like the metaphysics attached to it.

And rapping is a very entertaining art, no matter what you rap about. If the verses are clever and the words easily match, it's poetry-in-motion that is healing to the soul (if you like it).

Rap

/2¢

Honestly, of the Christian music I've heard, I find that the artists, KJ-52 included, don't really seem to have anything to say... They're trying to make a living out of making music, but instead of writing about something they actually have to say they're writing about Christianity (which they don't seem to have much to say about... They all say the exact same thing and it's boring...). Considering how large the Bible is I would think that there would be a lot of people, places, things and events to write about and rhyme with in complex ways that would actually get people listening to your message (Christians and non-Christians -- as axilmar said, if the rap is clever then people will listen and at least appreciate that, even if they don't agree with the message).

On the subject of Christian rap, who can forget DC Talk? It's more what would be considered rock music today, but I'm pretty sure it was rap in it's day.

Sackcloth Fashion is also pretty cool.

Those are the only ones I can think of offhand.

I'm a fan of DC talk and they're great live!

[edit]Oh, here's the lyrics to my rap earlier, since it's obvious no one could manage to listen to it, hardy har har.

I heard the first verse or so... Wasn't impressed. It's one of those "look mom, I'm rapping" kind of lyrics, but really you're just barely rhyming and really slowly... Good effort though. It started out rhyming well at least...

Eminem has big companies behind him because he has big people behind him. He's also founded a big company of his own. Back in ~'96 or '97 he got second place in a freestyle competition in Los Angeles, gave a demo to somebody that eventually got the demo to Dr. Dre, one of the most influential people in the industry, who liked it and arranged a meeting. The rest is history -- it's been said that when Dre heard the demo he didn't even realize Eminem was white -- that was apparently a small shock when they first met. Eminem is one of the highest selling artists because he's among the best, NOT because corporate America pushes the product. KJ-52 isn't a big artist because he isn't among the best. I'm sorry, but if you think KJ-52 flows better than Eminem then you don't know what you're talking about.

Honestly and skill sell better than good intentions.

That right there is why your effort failed. You don't even understand rap so how can you expect to write/spit a decent one? As a rap fan, it's really annoying to hear people refer to rap like it's all just a pose or something. The serious artists are serious about their rhymes and beats.

Serious artists don't swear to sell records. They just don't censor their art either. Entertainers are not responsible for children; the parents are. If you're a grown man and too closed-minded to give explicit lyrics a chance then that's your loss. There are a lot more people that appreciate explicit lyrics then there are people too closed-minded to give them a chance.

Unless you're listening to a hardcore rap station (which are rare, in my experience) then what you hear on the radio doesn't represent hardcore rap and probably fits better into the generic hip hop genre, which is a lot more forgiving. There are a lot of artists that hype themselves up to be good rappers (Kanye West, for example, who is being pushed by Jay-Z, but isn't really anywhere near Jay-Z's level...).

There is a lot of poor, average, and adequate rap around and it's relatively rare to find good, great, or unbelievable rap. That's why I generally stick to Shady/Aftermath/G-Unit. If you buy 50 Cent, Eminem, or Dr. Dre albums you can be pretty sure you're getting a decent album, and more often than not an amazing one. I've heard multiple times that both Eminem and Dr. Dre are perfectionists, which I think shows in their work.

D12 Freestyle*.

_{* Some mildly explicit lyrics. :D}

It doesn't confirm anything. I swear all the time and I know a lot of people that do too. Profanity can add to something if done right. It expresses something very effectively and there's no reason not to do it. D12/Eminem often say stuff like "yes, I'm swearing because I need to to sell records"* or emphasize their use of profanity because people like you make claims that they do it to sell records... They're essentially agreeing with you, sarcastically. You'll figure it out.

Well IMO you failed. It was embarrassing for you and I doubt the rap fans liked it (I know I didn't) so apparently your perceptions are wrong...

OK, then show us. Do it for real. Something that the rap fans in the thread will accept as good.

_{* "Will Smith don't gotta cuss in his raps to sell records,... Well I do, so fuck him and fuck you too!" - Eminem, The Real Slim Shady, responding to Will Smith after he made the same claim that you are about profanity at one of the award shows on stage. In case it isn't obvious, he's being sarcastic... ::)}

Well, it may not be the best rap, but it sure is the funniest.

Oh common bamccaig, we all know that all rappers are Gangsta's in disguise. Their rapping is just a cover for their secret drug trafficking and illegal gambling operations.

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Ok guys, lets do an old fashioned "war". You agree?

Onewing you have no idea about da rap, you are nothing but a poor sap. Go back to where you came from, yeah, dats a lame farm. Milk a cow, kill a pig, do yo thing, I just dont think thats ma thing.
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Bammcaig, you are a troll, go back to being on patrol. If I see you on the street, you will get to hear my beat. So now be nice and not a fool, cuz i dont like it when youre a schmool.(?)

Don't take it seriously, I don't mean it. Its just for fun.

Do it!

Perhaps you should quote me because you've lost me. I don't remember saying (once again, quote me if I did) that any rap/hip hop artist should change the way they do things to appease me and/or people like me. In fact, I remember saying I actually liked a few of his songs. I just don't think rap is all that impressive, and I am entitled to my opinion, yes? I mean, if I started a thread of the 5 best rockers of all times, someone could make a mock song of the rock template and I'd laugh at it. I'm a big fan of the Law and Order series and I recently watched a Robot Chicken episode parody it by going through the template using only chickens that said "bock" and it felt like a Law and Order show, which was hilarious.

I feel like I'm arguing with someone who is reading a different thread. I seem to be able to post more than five replies again, so I think I'll take Vanneto's advice and head back to the farm before I say something really stupid. If you want, bammy, you can say you proved some kind of point here.

No hard feelings though.