I recently attended the AC/DC concert when they came to Dallas last week, when I realized something. This generation of music has no "classic" songs. And when I say that, I don’t mean classic rock, I mean genuinely classic, or original songs. No, really, think about it. Most people in my school listen to rap. White, Black, Asian, or Hispanic, you probably listen to rap if you’re in my area. But every week, there’s a new "great" or "popular" song. But after it has had its two-three months of popularity, you probably rarely hear the song again. Songs you hear now, do you ever expect, in 25 years to turn on the radio to a "classic rap" station and hear that song you heard in high school? I can guarantee it will be a no. And you’ll understand why after I explain classic rock. You see, when I attended AC/DC a few weeks ago, I saw all sorts of people. But what stood out to me the most, was the 45 and 50 year olds, the ones who use to rock to AC/DC back when they were in high school. And the reason why we have classic rock and rock songs we all know is because rock is always evolving. The Beatles sound nothing like AC/DC, who sound nothing like Guns N’ Roses, who sound nothing like The Answer. But you see, rap doesn’t evolve. That is why every other week we need another "good" rap song to come along. Because (and let’s be honest here) it’s essentially all the same. This is why I listen to classic rock. It was "in style" in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and now, I’m listening to the stuff my parents were listening to when they were my age. It’s timeless, it’s classic. And I betcha my kid will be rockin’ to AC/DC when he’s in high school, too. My peer’s kids will not be listening to what their parents listened to in high school. Their kid will be listening to the newest, "latest and greatest" rap song. Rap isn’t classic, can’t be classic, and never will be classic.
For those about to rock, we salute you. -AC/DC
#1 by Cubd - April 26th, 2009 at 15:50
If you look at the rap genre, it is much much newer than rock and roll. We are a much different generation than our parents with many more different genres of music to listen to. Think about techno; they didn’t have the computers powerful enough or the knowhow to produce the electronic music that is played today in clubs or raves.
It’s much the same with rap. Rap has definitely evolved a lot since it’s early days (think early 90’s when they actually rapped). One of the things that separates rap from other genres of music that I have noticed is that rap is very “current” with what is going on in the world. It is not uncommon for rappers to reference other rappers or quote them in new songs. I don’t think I’ve ever heard bands like Led Zeppelin referencing how they’re on a “Highway to Hell” like those guys AC/DC.
The rap/hip-hop scene is constantly current and changing which is one of the reasons I like to listen to it. Sure, it may not be as “classic” as classic rock, but it hasn’t had the same amount of time to set and stick into American culture. It takes time and willingness to really understand rap and hip-hop because there are no history books or “classic stations” for the genre yet.
I challenge you to listen to rap for a week (or let me give you some songs) so that you can better understand the genre before stating that it “isn’t classic, can’t be classic, and never will be classic.”
#2 by Snowy - April 26th, 2009 at 18:23
Cubd,
You see, that’s just why rap can’t be classic. Because it is always “current”. Why would someone want to listen to something “current” from ten/twenty years ago? They don’t. That’s why rap artists are always pushing out new albums.
Now I’m not saying that rap is bad. There are a few rap songs that I enjoy - generally they’re more “motivational” rap songs, such as eminem’s “Lose Yourself” or Fort Minor’s “Remember the Name”. Rap can be very good, when it’s about the right things.
A friend told me last year that “rap is a acquired taste”, perhaps he’s right.