Where has raw hip hop / rap gone to...?

I'm not really a big fan, but why is there no raw a hip hop / rap in mainstream media anymore? It's all half-naked women, fancy videos and bling-bling-dollar-show-off-crap. What happend to stuff like this?:

Tastes change and genres progress, it's still just no longer the most popular form of hip hop.

It hit the mainstream and more pop-oriented rap became popular.

There are still many rappers who address social or cultural issues. Don't know how many of them work in America, but in Asia, Africa, and Europe there seem to be quite a few. If you're interested, I can post some more in Persian, Russian or Ossetic.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Also, there are terrific spoofs of Gangsta rap (which you have to make fun of because it's so retarded), for example this one (it's funny if you know German) or, more sophisticated, Jon Lajoie's WTF Collective (see below). And new forms, such as the weather forecast rap (see below) and Epic Rap Battles of History (gotta love Hitler vs Darth Vader).

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Edit: my point being that rap has evolved and taken on many forms as other cultures have adopted it. Not necessarily for the worse. Personally, I find most of the "original" hip hop (includig the stuff in the OP) rather bland and full of unintentional comedy, mainly due to the fact that it has people jumping around in ridiculous clothes.

I'm not even going to bother typing a new response. This is my answer from last week.

Originally Posted by Ratbag

An eloquent and refreshing viewpoint you have bestowed on us today. I must admit that I do not like most of the songs mainstream media try to sell as rap. It's nothing more than pop music, as it has existed trough modern times, made to be catchy rather than innovating and meaningful. This does not mean you get to write off a whole genre of music nor that you must berate people for enjoying it. There are many talented artist who create beautiful rap music to this day and will continue to do so in the future.

This is a song created in 2012, it is rap and let me tell you that be no means this could (or rather should) be considered bad music by anyone.



To be honest, I'm getting rather tired of having too defend rap music as if it's a genre not worthy of consideration by people who know nothing about it. Try to look at something before writing it of as a lesser form of self expression and art.

EDIT: But to retract a bit of the but-hurt, here are some more good songs for your enjoyment.

Spoiler for De La Soul: 

Spoiler for The Pharcyde: 

Spoiler for A Tribe Called Quest: 

Originally Posted by athanaric

There are still many rappers who address social or cultural issues. Don't know how many of them work in America, but in Asia, Africa, and Europe there seem to be quite a few. If you're interested, I can post some more in Persian, Russian or Ossetic.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Originally Posted by athanaric

Also, there are terrific spoofs of Gangsta rap (which you have to make fun of because it's so retarded), for example this one (it's funny if you know German)

I know German. It's a funny rap and really points out some of the stupid schemata of German rap, which I think are hilarious. But on a more underlying level it's hell of a prejudiced and simplistic clip.

Originally Posted by athanaric

or, more sophisticated, Jon Lajoie's WTF Collective (see below). And new forms, such as the weather forecast rap (see below) and Epic Rap Battles of History (gotta love Hitler vs Darth Vader).

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The weather forecast rap and Hitler vs Darth Vader are hilarious. Didn't watch the clip of the "The League"-guy though... I got bored.

Originally Posted by athanaric

Edit: my point being that rap has evolved and taken on many forms as other cultures have adopted it. Not necessarily for the worse. Personally, I find most of the "original" hip hop (includig the stuff in the OP) rather bland and full of unintentional comedy, mainly due to the fact that it has people jumping around in ridiculous clothes.

Admitted, the OP clips aren't the most original ones, but at least they don't follow a political agenda like your submitted clips, which highlight Europeans/Arians/Persians...

Originally Posted by Ratbag

I'm not even going to bother typing a new response. This is my answer from last week.

I love this clip:



Great tune, great lyrics and taking the piss out of 'that rapper that always changes his name'.
It's a pitty stuff like this isn't more popular - all that bling-bling stuff is so artificial and hideous. The clip seems very down to earth and "out of the 'hood" - although I have no first-hand impression whatsover what life in an American 'hood' is like. But it does look very unpretentious and real.
I'm no music-nerd, but if I listen to music I like stuff that sounds 'true' (whatever than may mean to you - to me it means lyrics/tunes from a 'real', uncorrupted person). And that clip does it! Thanks for the link Ratbag!