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I like mainstream rap.

Well that's an unfair statement I never expected to hear. Just because someone doesn't like it doesn't mean it's not art. It may not be an art that had as many supporters as it had before. But it is an art none the less that effects many countries and people. And to say it itself is or has dumbed down people I have to disagree with. Yes I do believe that mainstream has caused rappers to dumb down their lyrics and censor them when the money see's fit. But again I support that the mainstream has opened new voices and kinda broke color barriers that underground hasn't. So just like you cant lump people into one stereotype. You cant lump all mainstream artist into one big stereotype. Especially since it's trying to change from what it is now.

Okay I disagree because entertainment Value doesn't always equal good entertainment. And it's more easier to get into mainstream rap than underground rap. Especially since everything can auto tuned so quickly. You cant tell me Antone Dodson has good hip hop stage entertainment value. from one autotuned song that was a news report about his sisters attempted rape. Underground hip hop though has its flaws. But it doesn't have the easy access button that mainstream has. And it can become quite superficial than underground can. And again mainstream rap has been said by the people in it that it has made them dumbed themselves down and play into horrible stereotypes just to make quick money. Some of the rapper have english master degrees. But as the words of wakka flakka in mainstream a lyrical artist cant sell as much as a superficial playing into the system artist can. Plus it still has alot of problems such as not accepting gay rappers like underground has. Or female rappers that have to flaunt sex just to make it in. And I'm not saying that flaunting your knowledge about sex is bad. But if all a female rapper can say is I have sex 24 hours a day. Well it can make people sick of it. So you cant judge underground or call it shitty. I love underground and I like mainstream. Both are art in it's respectful places. But they both have flaws that they need to fix and grow better at.

And it isn't easier to get into mainstream rap. If that were true everyone would be in it.

But to be an underground rapper is very easy. All I have to do is put out a song and have it not be too popular.

I mean you can go on youtube and find a million underground rappers.

Bad or good doesn't matter. My point is that it's easier to be an underground rapper because all you have to do is.. RAP.

You don't have to really expose yourself to anyone. You don't have to see anyone. You don't have to talk to anyone. You just have to put stuff out.

My cousin and brother are underground rappers. Because they rap. They have songs. But they have no radio play or any real exposure.

"Underground" and "mainstream" are STATUSES based upon EXPOSURE.

In order to BE mainstream you have to have a certain amount of exposure. And my point is that there are more people NOT getting that exposure than there are people getting that exposure.

You pointed out A. Dodson as an example. Dodson's case is rare. Name another time this year that has happened. Name something like that, that happened LAST year.

You say that makes it easier to be mainstream. No.. it doesn't, Being viral on the internet is one of those luck of the draw things. Does the internet have the power to give you overnight stardom? Sure it does. But how many rappers has that happened for? Not since Soulja Boi has there been another rapper to make his name based off one song on the internet.

And Soulja Boi is an actual rapper, someone who makes a living off doing songs and shows with his music.

Not someone who had a song made after them talking on the news and having it distorted, remixed, and such. Dodson did not make that. Two guys asked Dodson could they use his voice and image from the newscast to make a song to split the profits with 50/50.

Now did either of them know it was going to be as big as it is? No. Because it could just as easily gone the way of everything else on youtube. A quick laugh and on to the next video.

Just because the internet can create overnight celebrities doesn't mean it's easier to become a mainstream artist.

That's like saying because the lottery can make you a multi-millionaire in one night that it is easy to become a multi-millionaire.

Good or bad. The only qualifications for being an underground rapper is simply having limited exposure in the media.

So if you are rapping in your basement and you create a song (or multiple songs) Whether it sucks or it is the hottest thing since the crucifixion... you are underground. Until you a certain amount of constant exposure.. you will stay underground.

Rappers Delight isn't even that great a song.

It's an old and memorable song which makes it classic. But I could put it against a number of RECENT mainstream rappers stuff and it wont compare in terms of lyrical quality or overall song quality.

Nostalgia is a load of bull. It glorifies days of the past that will never come around again as people try to justify their stubbornness to change.

Profanity has little to do with whether or not a song has substance.

And they are talking about their lives or situations. among other things.

You know.. like most people do in their records.

And a lot of rap is playful nonsense now. Curse words or not.

Excerpt from rappers delight

ya go hotel motel whatcha gonna do today (say what)
ya say im gonna get a fly girl gonna get some spankin
drive off in a def oj
everybody go, hotel motel holiday inn
say if your girl starts actin up, then you take her friend

Not much has changed.

rock rock yall throw it on the floor
im gonna freak ya here im gonna feak ya there
im gonna move you outta this atmosphere
cause im one of a kind and ill shock your mind
ill put t-t-tickets in your behind
i said 1-2-3-4, come on girls get on the floor
a-come alive, yall a-gimme what ya got
cause im guaranteed to make you rock
i said 1-2-3-4 tell me wonder mike what are you waitin for?

Not much has changed...

well, im imp the dimp the ladies pimp
the women fight for my delight
but im the grandmaster with the three mcs
that shock the house for the young ladies
and when you come inside, into the front
you do the freak, spank, and do the bump

Again... not much has changed...

i said by the way baby what's your name
said i go by the name of lois lane
and you could be my boyfiend you surely can
just let me quit my boyfriend called superman
i said he's a fairy i do suppoose
flyin through the air in pantyhose
he may be very sexy or even cute
but he looks like a sucker in a blue and red suit
i said you need a man who's got finesse
and his whole name across his chest
he may be able to fly all through the night
but can he rock a party til the early light
he cant satisfy you with his little worm
but i can bust you out with my super sperm

I mean have you actually listened to these lyrics?

The only thing different about TODAY is that censorship is more relaxed which allows for cursing.

at the age of seven i was rockin in heaven dontcha know i went off
i got right on down to the beat you see
gettin right on down makin all the girls
just take of their clothes to the beat the beat
to the double beat beat that makes you freak

This whole "old school rap was innocent and respectful" mantra is complete bullshit.

You can disrespect a woman without cursing. You can do it with sentences and a ego-driven mindset. And rap has always catered to ego-driven mindset.

But I'm not doing that to say the song is trash. I'm doing it to point out that the same THEMES run true in rap today.

Less censored? Yes.. but the name of the game hasn't changed at all.