[BForbes]

Originally Posted by Fraggy

Its not so much racism. I have no problem with people listening to any kind of music they can relate to. The question is how one group of people can relate to the life experiences of another group of people who have lived 180 degree different lives and lifestyles.

How the fuck does a suburban upper middle class kid with a BMW relate to some guy from the hood who potentially knows no dad and has a prostitute for a mom? What exactly do you have to be angry about? How much drug dealing have you seen? How many drive-bys have you been a part of? How many friends have you lost to violence?

Try driving your 335 down the streets of compton bumping your hip hop with your hat turned to the side and see how well received you are LOL I dont think you will garner a lot of respect from the people in the areas where hip hop was born.

Oh, BTW, hows France in the summer?

Why behave in such a way and offend everyone that enjoys something different than you?

Who the hell is talking about ''relating?" Why must one have to relate with EVERYTHING we listen to. Sometimes its just all about the beat. Why do you think the industry has done so damn well. NOT BECAUSE WE ALL RELATE. Figure it out. I've caught my parents listening to hip hop and the like to. Trust me when I say it, they are ''upper crust.'' Its because we like how it sounds. Recent hip/hop hasnt even mostly been about angry stuff. Drive down a street blasting Mozart, you'll get looks too. Who cares. You're just upset that he nailed it right on the head.

Have you ever watched a gangster movie. Lets say "Untouchables" or "Casino." Why watch it? Its not like were part of teamsters. In the end, you wont have to get it. People like Jay Z, 50 Cent, Eminem, P.Diddy, ICE Cube, Dre. Dre, Russell Simmons, etc. will continue to make rake in 9 figures. Yes, nine, XXX,XXX,XXX. They know their target audience and how to market it.

Originally Posted by EDUC8ED

People seem to beat around the bush whenever it comes to discussion of hip hop or rap...there is always covert racism when the music is critiqued. Like we have all heard before....people fear what they dont understand. Self expression and storytelling has been around since the beginning of time, its just easier for some to label hip hop/rap as negative.

Perfect man. The more Fraggy speaks, the more he amplifies what you said.