I believe this is only the second rap song I’ve featured out of 62 Songs of the Day.
It’s not that I don’t like rap. I do, sometimes. I like Eminem, Outkast and Kanye West. A little Public Enemy. I think the main barrier to me being more of a rap fan is the subject matter. I know it’s a cliche, but so much of what I hear deals almost exclusively with bitches, thugs and the gangsta life.
I’m sure there are plenty of exceptions who don’t get nearly the press they deserve, and I just don’t read the right articles and blogs in order to find them. I’m guessing Mos Def and Common are the sort of artists I’d like, but I haven’t checked them out yet.
The other reason I generally shun rap is that I’m a much bigger fan of melody than beat. I do like the occasional roof-shaker, but only in moderation.
So Kanye West is a good fit for me. He tends to write about interesting things (though way too often about himself) and he has a gift for delivering rap as pop music. This song, ‘Jesus Walks,’ might not be the best example of the latter, but it’s definitely about something. And it makes you want to move like a mutha, too.
Meet Me In Montauk 
Moving like a mutha, you gangsta you.
I”ve listened to a bit of Kanye since he received such critical and media attention, but I never found him as compelling as Eminem. But I agree with you that, for rap to work on a consistent basis for me, there needs to me more than just rap. There needs to be some musicality involved. Kanye does do that better than others, just not necessarily enough for me.
I find little in the world of music as consistently compelling as rap music, when I sit down to listen to it amost as if I were analyzing a poem or admiring the artistry of an orchestra piece. That said, I hardly ever (hell – never) listen to it on a casual basis, just for pleasure. My guess as to why? I’m too old for this music. This is the music my students listen to; they don’t want to find it on my iPod (and are disturbed and amused when they do 🙂 It’s not meant for me. I’m allowed (even encouraged) to “get it,” to appreciate it and understand why it is a worthy and powerful musical form, but I’m not supposed to buy it, and I’m certainly not supposed to jam to it as I drive down the street in my Prius, kids in the back seat.
That doesn’t mean that lots of people as old or older than me don’t do just that; it simply means that, while Kanye and company will happily take our money, they’re not making their music for us. So when I do listen to it, I feel as though I’m a tourist admiring a wonderful city that will never be my home. I appreciate it tremendously, but, ultimately, the visit is going to be short. Musically, I always go back home.
That’s an interesting thought, though I’m not sure I agree entirely. Mostly because it strikes me as depressing!
I’d hate to think I am (or will be) the equivalent of those parents who rolled their eyes as their kids freaked out over The Beatles. I think something can appeal primarily at the young but still have universal appeal.
Also, I think the more political rappers are very much aiming their music at our generation.
No, of course you don’t want to (and probably won’t) roll your eyes at the music, but the kids want and expect you to do. The moment they hear it blaring from your speakers, they’re moving on to the next new thing.