I only listen to old school rap. I cannot abide the bat guano that is currently soiling the radio.

Many rappers explore dark themes in their music and I'd like to share.


The top has got to be Scarface. He talks about death, paranoia, even madness.He has struggled with manic depression and it comes through in his music.

"Hand Of The Dead Body" and "Seen A Man Die" both speak about looking forward to death, that it is coming and there is nothing to be done about it. He sees death as a release from the fear, the worry, and the paranoid thinking that controls his daily life. Scarface talks about the otherside of the bling bling lifestyle so worshipped today, the darkside. He has never shied from the dirty things one has to do and how it can affect the mind and soul.

Tupac's "Hail Mary" is considered a masterpiece. He tells of revenge from the grave, how his spirit cannot rest until he is avenged. His spirit refuses to pass to the otherside, not until his vengeance is had.


Bone Thugs N Harmony has always flirted with the occult, both in their music and album covers. "Mr.Ouija'" tells of being taken over, becoming something totally different, due to an outside evil influence.


"Murder Was The Case" By Snoop Dogg is, in my opinion,the epitome of dark rap. He tells of making a deal with the devil and facing the consequences. It is an epic tale and culminates in his destruction.

"My Mind Playing Tricks On Me" By Geto Boys told about paranoia and a descent into madness, due to the strain of subjecting your conscience to do things you knew were wrong. It shows how the need to survive can take over the strongest morality.

Rap is often dismissed, thought of as nothing more than commercial crap. Often this is quite true. But back in the day, it was very different. It spoke of poverty, fear, madness, and the desperate need to survive. I truly hate what it has become. I hope that these songs can tell that rap explored dark themes and told of them with real feeling and lyricism.

I completely agree with your sentiments about rap, I can't stand the modern commercialized stuff. I also only like rap with an honest and a sincere message, no matter if it's "light," "dark" or anything in between.

That's why I like the old school stuff. The modern industry is generally mass produced crap aimed at a specific demographic - middle and upper class white boys - so they can get their kicks from feeling "gangsta," "ghetto," "thug," etc. which is why most is about bitches, hoes, making money, etc. Most of the "artists" are custom made for the industry and there's very little honest and sincere message telling.

I am the type who will listen to anything at least once.  However, I tend to steer away from Rap.  In some ways, I prefer to listen to old school Country than listening to the new Rap.  However, if someone really recommends an individual song, I will listen to it at least once. 

As everyone else here has stated, the old school Rap is a lot better than the new school Rap, as a general rule. 

As Sebastion briefly talked about, I noticed that a lot of hardcore music, whether it be rap or metal, seem to do a lot of screaming.  I am not entirely fond of songs that do this.  It does not impress me and usually turns me off from the piece.  Screaming and making dramatic sounds in a music piece is a good way to make a potentially good piece turn into a not-so-good piece. 

Sometimes I do not mind music with a mixture of rap and alternative.  It just depends on how it is done and in such pieces, moderation is the key. 

As a note, I really do not have any favorite bands.  I do not buy enough music or listen to enough music to have favorites.  I do have a favored preference, though - it is usually classical, soft music, gothic industrial, etc.  But, as said before, I am willing to listen to any individual piece at least once.  Heck, on a less related note, I actually do not mind listening to Shania Twain (and she is a country singer!). 


Sincerely,
TheRadiantSeraphim