# Does not liking rap make you racist? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 27, 2013, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789 "2013-09-27T10:50:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/81 "2013-09-27T17:54:53Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Tell me more about how I’m going to like rap when _I_ grow up, Daddy! I’m sorry, my son, but you’re too late in asking. You don’t need to like rap ever (maybe you saw one or a million previous references to that). You just need to not harp about your distaste for rap in a self-satisfied way. Of course, if you just need to make yourself giggle by telling me I’m being patronizing, knock yourself out. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/82 "2013-09-27T18:12:34Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > This is the kind of criticism of rap that really comes across as racist. Virtually every genre of popular sung music in history, with the possible exception of sixteis folk rock (and I’m sure I’m wrong even there), has been infused with tales of violence. Well, Peter, Paul, and Mary seemed to feel that most problems in life could be solved by beating the shit out of things with a hammer. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/83 "2013-09-27T18:20:29Z")
…or siccing dragons on it. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/84 "2013-09-27T18:21:37Z")
Interestingly enough I’m of the “I like pretty much at least a little bit of every kind of music, except really hardcore death metal, screamo/growling, whatever you want to call it.” I wonder what that makes me. Most rap is absolute shit and I’ll turn it off the minute I hear something about niggas, bitches, etc. Some rap is absolutely beautiful poetry (I’m looking at you Marshal Mathers!) and is brilliant. Some rap is a lot of fun (Thrift Shop!). Some rap/hip hop is catchy and works in the middle of a country or pop song 🙂 I’ve never met a really hardcore death metal song that was deep and growly or screamy that I liked. The closest I can ever get is prog rock or alternative rock like System of a Down (who are brilliant). ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/85 "2013-09-27T18:33:41Z")
> [@huesos](#): > > …and their original insults to me in the first place- these were just fine? :rolleyes: Well, yeah, when the only reason you got so insulted was because you insulted them first. Not that what you got was actually an insult of you personally, just declaring a distaste for those who actually believe what you’ve stated. Also, note that the only people insulted were actual racists. You claim you aren’t one, therefore you shouldn’t feel insulted. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/86 "2013-09-27T20:14:55Z")
> [@mandala](#): > > Does not liking a black hole make you racist? Did he just call us a “black ho”? ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/87 "2013-09-27T20:51:55Z")
> [@miller](#): > > well, peter, paul, and mary seemed to feel that most problems in life could be solved by beating the shit out of things with a hammer. rofl :d ---
**Author:** ![Gateway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/dbc845/32.png) [@Gateway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gateway)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/88 "2013-09-27T20:52:40Z")
Rap =/= black, so disliking rap == disliking blacks. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/89 "2013-09-27T20:59:27Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/90 "2013-09-27T21:20:08Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > But that’s the thing, it’s idiotic to make that assessment without having enough information. There are lots of genres I know next to nothing about and what little I’ve heard, I think sounds stupid, but I wouldn’t say the whole genre is not real music. I don’t entirely disagree, but people tend to generalize when talking about lightweight topics, like music. No one but the most sickening teenaged fans can sum up their music taste in one or two sentences, but that’s what you have to do when someone asks you what you like. I don’t exactly have the most eclectic music collection, but I still enjoy Pet Shop Boys, Rammstein, Snoop Dogg and Ennio Morricone. If someone asks me what I like, I _have_ to generalize. That includes saying I don’t like country music, but it doesn’t mean Johnny Cash can’t almost make me cry. I suppose I just assume that whomever I’m talking to will translate my lazy, unqualified generalizations into something a bit more moderate. So yeah, I don’t disagree with you, but I can see where anyone who says “I don’t like rap” is coming from. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/91 "2013-09-27T21:36:32Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Well, Peter, Paul, and Mary seemed to feel that most problems in life could be solved by beating the shit out of things with a hammer. I thought that was Trini Lopez?😕 ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/92 "2013-09-27T21:52:44Z")
> [@sahirrnee](#): > > I thought that was Trini Lopez?😕 Ha! My old man had that on vinyl. It wasn’t until much later that I heard PP&M “covering” Mr. Lopez’ work. And it was about 3 minutes ago I learned the song goes back to _1949_. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/93 "2013-09-27T22:12:58Z")
> [@Dervorin](#): > > I was linked to this extremely humble man’s [list of requirements](http://jezebel.com/delusional-man-child-has-most-incredible-list-of-dating-1382052948?fb_action_ids=10100395568120165&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210100395568120165%22%3A657643037586953%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210100395568120165%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D) for a female life partner over on Facebook, and while the list itself is very amusing and he probably deserves all the trolling he’s bound to get, one comment struck me as being a bit strange. > > Now, I don’t like rap. I am well aware this makes me un-cool, but I had no idea it made me a racist. I honestly don’t like the sound of it at all. If it helps, I’m a big fan of Argentinian pan-flute music, but had to Google a “zydeco” to find out what it was. Is expressing a dislike for rap really coded racism, and would you actually see it that way, or is this person merely delusional? Rap music tends to also be violent, combative, mysogynistic, heavy on the bass, and geared towards younger people. I can see why some people don’t like it. I like some of it, but not all the time. Then again you can make many of those same detractions to various forms of rock like metal. They have lyrics that are violent and combative, etc. Blacks are also heavily involved in genres like Jazz, R&B, funk, soul, etc. I’ve never heard anyone say ‘I like everything except for Jazz’ or ‘I like everything except funk’. Rap is the only genre where people say that. You do hear people say ‘I like everything except pop’ but that is more a rejection of what some people likely see as manufactured corporate music. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/94 "2013-09-27T23:01:22Z")
We used to have a game thread here called “Gangster Rap or Folk?” where people would post synopses of songs, and the players would try to guess if it was a gangster rap or a traditional folk song. Very very hard to tell the difference if you didn’t recognize the particular song from the description. Guys, traditional folk is jam-packed with glorification of robbery, whoring, drunkenness, materialism, debauchery, murder, revenge, suicide, adultery, misogyny, misandry, misanthropy, blasphemy, rape, nihilism and death. There’s your traditional white culture. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/95 "2013-09-27T23:13:10Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > …or siccing dragons on it. I’ve always felt that [these guys](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU4GXgaCFTI) were the true spiritual successors to PP&M. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/96 "2013-09-27T23:19:06Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Rap music tends to also be violent, combative, mysogynistic, heavy on the bass, and geared towards younger people. I can see why some people don’t like it. I like some of it, but not all the time. Then again you can make many of those same detractions to various forms of rock like metal. They have lyrics that are violent and combative, etc. > > Blacks are also heavily involved in genres like Jazz, R&B, funk, soul, etc. I’ve never heard anyone say ‘I like everything except for Jazz’ or ‘I like everything except funk’. Rap is the only genre where people say that. Were you around in the '30s? It was a pretty common sentiment at the time. Nowadays, when you say “jazz,” most people think of [this guy](http://videokeman.com/image/pics/KENNYGsongPics12B29wLASLH34sM.jpg). Go back seventy years or so, though, and you’ll hear a lot of white people talking about how “violent, combative,” and “mysogynistic” jazz was. “Too much bass” didn’t come up as much, but the dire effects of “darkie music” on the nation’s young was a topic of national importance, at least among the dimmer members of our nation’s populace. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/97 "2013-09-27T23:34:46Z")
I was accused once of being narrow-minded. The reason: I do not like Country Western music. That was in West Texas. This sounds along the same lines. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/98 "2013-09-27T23:36:48Z")
I used to think I hated rap, but I eventually learned that I mostly just hate the subject matter. For instance, hand me any Snoop Dogg album and I will avoid listening to it, but hand me pretty much and milquetoast inoffensive song featuring Snoop Dogg rapping and I will endlessly sing his praises for how good his flow is. That doesn’t mean I can never listen to the more violent rap, but usually it has to have a sense of humor about itself, and kind of wink knowingly at the listener that what they’re talking about is completely over the top. Sure, some people may just not like rap, but I think a lot of people don’t really give the breadth of it a fair shot and find out what kind of rap they do and don’t like. And that’s fine, it really is. I’m not going to force you to listen to MC Frontalot and Epic Rap Battles of history in hopes you’ll find one you like, just like I don’t want you to force chutney down my throat in a hopes of finding a chutney recipe that doesn’t make me want to vomit. Though really, “except rap” is pretty meaningless. I doubt these people have ever heard traditional Far Eastern music. As cool as Japanese culture is and everything, I think traditional Noh theatre is my special hell. Rap sounds way more like other genres of Western music than that ever will. ---
**Author:** ![enomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/99 "2013-09-27T23:56:16Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I was accused once of being narrow-minded. The reason: I do not like Country Western music. That was in West Texas. This sounds along the same lines. You dislike both kinds?! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2013, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789/100 "2013-09-28T00:33:35Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I was accused once of being narrow-minded. The reason: I do not like Country Western music. That was in West Texas. This sounds along the same lines. Were you constantly telling everyone you met about how you didn’t like country music and mocking it with faux slang and talking about what jerks country-music artists were? If so, I’m with your accusers. If not, different lines. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-liking-rap-make-you-racist/669789.md?page=6)