Why rap can never be as good as Rock

[dlinkwit27]

I was listening to the radio yesterday, and then watched the VH1 special "Heavy, The History of Metal," and it donned on me why rap is so bad, and why it will never be as good as Rock and Metal. The reason, its artists.

All rap artists are the same. They all are from poor walks of life and bank on the whole "rose from the streets" story to get to the top. When they do, that is all they talk about, or are told by the producers to talk about. By their fault or not, rap artists are just not articulate, and thus, all their songs, about all the same things, are the same. Rap artists are truly entertainers, but they are also only entertainers.

They are able to fill that little bit of curiosity of white America. They are the modern day carneys. We show interest in their bearded lady-esq albums for a year or two, then toss them by the wayside when the next show of the two headed dog comes by. Rinse, repeat. Not to mention that "hip hop" has become so watered down with the likes of Gwen Stefani and Nelly Fertado(sp) that it is hard to distinguish it from bubble-gum pop.

Rock artists, are different. Not only do those artists come from very different walks of life, but personal interviews demonstrate how much more articulate they are, and how much more thought process goes into their music. Granted there are exceptions (on both sides) but how many rap "artists" can speak intelligently?

The last major comment on the political stage by a rapper was Nas's scholarly "George Bush doesn't care about black people."

Watch the congresional hearings and listen to Dee Snyder of (Twisted Sister) argue with the lawmakers of our nation. Watch the making of Metallica's (a band I am not a big fan of, by the way) and hear James Hetfield ponder over the music and his family, and how he discusses the trials and tribulations of his past.

Listen to Shawn Chrahan, the clown from Slipknot, a band that has a sound that would make your sisters cry, with conviction about his family and the band, without mentioning how much "bling" or "hoes" they have.

In short, "rap" and "hip-hop" has become as pre-packaged and predictable as the boy bands of the 90's. Heck, now they are using the boy band members as hip-hop stars (see Justin Timberlake). Meanwhile, rock stays true with its unique individuals, their points of view, and sound.