Is hip hop a form of poetry?
I've provided several links below to some songs that I'd like you to listen to. It is your responsibility to develop an answer to the particular question stated above. Try to consider the following:
-What is poetry?
-Does hip hop fit into this definition of poetry? How?
-Should we judge hip hop based upon its often crass discussion of drugs, violence, misogyny, or other socially unacceptable topics?
Please feel free to contribute links to your own examples.
PLEASE BE WARNED. A GREAT DEAL OF RAP PRESENTS MESSAGES THAT ARE INAPPROPRIATE. WE ARE DISCUSSING WHETHER OR NOT HIP HOP IS A FORM OF EXPRESSION SIMILAR TO POETRY. WE ARE NOT CONDONING THE MESSAGE THAT HIP HOP ARTISTS PRESENT IN THEIR MEDIUM.
De La Soul - A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays
Jurassic 5 - Quality Control
2 Pac - Dear Mama
I think poetry is expression of oneself. Poetry often includes metaphors, similes, has rhythm, and usually tells a story worth being heard. Hip hop has all of that. Hip hop/ rap is poetry but I prefer hearing poetry instead of reading it in class. Hip hop tells the stories that should be heard by the artist and if done well, has excellent metaphors and witty rhymes (poetry has some of that too. Hip hop should not be associated with those stereotypes because that's not real hip hop. Those stereotypes of hip hop aren't considered real rap/hip hop to me, i think it's just a way to relate to the kids nowadays and make a quick buck. And tupac :3!
ReplyDeleteand someone like soulja boy should not be considered anything.
ReplyDeletePoetry is the expression of an idea or feeling using specific rules. These rules can include rhyming or number of syllables per line. Hip Hop fits this definition, but it is a very loose definition. Some hip hop can be considered poetry, but I think it is closer to slam poetry.
ReplyDeleteHip hops discussion of these topic should be taken into account, but shouldn't be a way of making the song less meaningful. It is also necessary to think about songs that are not only about these socially unaccepted topics. An example of this is Eminem's song Mockingbird
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wYNFfgrXTI&ob=av2e
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcLFmN7aJe0 love this parody. it basically describes everything that 'hip hop' is now and makes it a hilarious video.
ReplyDeletePoetry is a tool used to self express or to tell a story. Poets use it to describe feelings and actions and events or thoughts on a subject. There is also the stereotype of rhyming poetry. But, as was shown in class, poetry does not have to rhyme or even make sense except to the person who wrote it. As long as it has a special meaning, it can be considered poetry. So, yes, hip hop is a form of poetry because it is how some artists choose to express themselves and how others can connect to.
ReplyDeleteTiffany | Period 4
Poetry is a way to express oneself in various ways. Most of people believe the poetry has rhythm, but a lot of poems don't. As long as you can express yourself with hip hop, it can be considered poetry. It doesn't even have to be good, just as long as you can get a sense of the person who wrote it. And no, the discussion of the use of drugs and unacceptable topics are be used just so it can make sense.
ReplyDeleteI think poetry is a way of using words to express yourself. The thing that makes this form so special is that poetry involves working with structure and arranging words in unique ways. Its different from verbal communication because it allows poets to communicate with the few that really understand them. It's a language of its own. Hip hop is a form of poetry because although many people think that rap is meaningless, theres something significant in the lyrics. Sure some rap is all about drugs, sex, and jail, but other rap is about succeess, and can be motivational to some people. Not everyone understands poetry because not everyone can understand what some of these rappers are saying, just like how some people cant understand some poetry that has a hidden meaning. No, hip hop shouldn't be judged. There are rappers out there who try to inspire people through there music. In Lasers, Lupe Fiasco says "Don't admit that your faith is weak, don't say that you feel like dying, life's hard then it feels like diamonds." Sometimes life is really hard, but he wants people to know that soon they'll escape the pain.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NHkv0S1NEA
I believe that poetry is a way for people to express their emotions or tell a story. They do this by using various devices of English such as metaphors, rhyming, idioms, etc. Often times, poetry is very descriptive placing yourself in the poet's shoes. Hip-hop/Rap is poetry to some extent. Hip hop and Rap is like poetry in the sense that, it's used as a form of self expression. The lyrics of songs are much like the lines of poems. You must read them and understand them in order to get the full satisfaction of the work created by the artist or the poet. However rap and hip hop has deteriorated nowadays. Much of the songs out there have no meaning and no sense of self expression. It fits the stereotype of rap/ hip hop being garbage because all it consists is a bunch of curses filled with lines advocating violence, sex, and money. To say that all rap and hip hop are unacceptable in a sophisticated society is going to far however. There are still a few "true" artist out there but most of the nowadays songs are garbage and should not be considered poetry.
ReplyDeletePoetry is a way to convey one's emotions and ideas in a creative way.They are written to express an opinion without completely explaining it. It makes the reader or listener think about the poet's purpose. At one time, hip-hop could have been considered a form of poetry accompanying music. Verses in rap and stanzas in poems describe a situation in a meaningful way. However, hip-hop these days have changed. It's more about sex, money and drugs. Living the high life. Hip-hop doesn't have any meaning, some of it is just noise.
ReplyDelete~ Sabrina Bari Pd 9
My example of something that gets me thinking:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2PNtOwFf9M&feature=relmfu
~ Sabrina Bari Pd 9
Poetry is a form of expression used to convey a message or feeling, or just to let thoughts out into the open. The rules of it are very open and are different to everyone and does not need a rhythm or rhyme. Hip hop can be considered poetry because even if it may not make sense or even contain legible lyrics, the feelings of the sound and music are used to convey a feeling and if it makes sense to the artist, it can be considered poetry. Use of socially unacceptable topics are often used to make it more relatable or give it more meaning but we should not judge it based on its use.
ReplyDeletealso, sorry this is anisha! the website was putting me as unknown so I just wrote it here! - period 9 Anisha Kairm
Poetry is the expression of an idea in a possibly indirect way, with ability to use incorrect grammar to show a point. Poetry can convey its message not just through what the words are saying, but how they are positioned, or if there are any patterns in the words. Hip hop fits this definition because it often alludes to drugs and alcohol and sex, without actually stating it. Also, hip hop uses different poetic tools, such as rhyming or similes, to get across a point.
ReplyDeletePoetry is a tool used to express ones ideas, beliefs, emotions, etc. A well known quality of poetry and poets is that they have the right to be slightly nonsensical, and break our "firmly held" rules of grammar", as long as they have some sort of intent to what they are doing. In class we have read poems with symbols like parenthesis in them, and we have used this to get a better understanding of the poem. Technically, hip hop and rap fit this definition perfectly. They are simply people expressing their ideas by manner of speech that has some sort of lyrical tune to it. Older rap and hip-hop fits this description exceptionally well, especially for famous rappers like Tupac, who tried to convey messages in their music like peace and other motives. However, modern day rap and hip hop has shifted towards a less meaningful, more vulgar creation. Sometimes it is nice to hear about a man's dream to be rich, have money, cars, girls, etc, because many people can relate to that dream. However releasing song after song that promotes drug use, violence, racial inequality, stupid amounts of profanity, and more chorus than actual music, gets to be annoying. We can't judge hip hop / rap completely based on what our generation hears but we can not expect any real changes soon, there are only so many performers now who actual rap about something that has a point
ReplyDeletePoetry is an unique way to express ones feeling, ideals or beliefs. It doesnt many limitations, it can be written any way a poet feel like writting it in and not bounded by a specific length or format. In theory, hip-hop fits this description of poetry however socially it is not accepted as poetry since while poetry talks about socially accepted topics, hip-hop or rap does the opposite. Hip-hop should not be based on what its topic is because in some cases, even though the words or phrases used in the song isnt socially accepted, the song itself still makes a statement about something thus it should not be identified as trash. While other times, those songs are just meaningless in which case, they should be judged upon what it discusses.
ReplyDeletePoetry is a way someone can express themselves freely. Hip-hop in a way fits this definition even though it has other elements mixed into it, but the structure in a way is similar. They use rhythms, rhyming, figurative language, and they even use imagery which I feel is enough to be considered poetry. Hip-hop shouldn't be classified by the discussion of drugs, violence, or other socially unacceptable topics. It's the meaning that counts. What they are trying to do is express themselves, this is the way it is expressed for them. There is a deeper meaning then just the language used.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with sabrina in the fact that hip-hop has supposedly been degrading over the years, and that maybe at some point it could have been considered more of poetry that it is today. Other posts say that rap and hip-hop are to some extent forms of poetry because of the dictionary definition of what poetry is. {Literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm}. I listened to 'Quality Control', and there was intensity put into the song (other wise it would just have the same tone), and there was a distinct rhythm throughout. So technically speaking it was a form of poetry. However, there is the other approach, the one that i take to some extent, that poetry is meant to be 'sophisticated' and is meant to use 'good language', and other characteristics that each person holds to be true for themselves. Therefore there are 2 sides to this, the side with the definition approach, and the side with the opinion approach, and neither can truly be weighed above the other.
ReplyDelete3 little ghosties,
Sitting on posties,
Eating butter-toasties,
Greasing their fisties,
Up to their wristies,
Oh what Beasties,
To make such feasties!
-Shel Silverstein
That is all.
I think hip hop would not be anything close to poetry. It may have verses, it may rhyme, but that's not what I would look for in real poetry. I would look for a deeper meaning. Most poetry do have a deeper meaning, and is meant to be read at the readers pace, unlike hip hop, where it is already read to you at a pretty quick pace. The quick reading makes me think that the artist is just randomly saying words and putting them out there, it doesn't provide me with a sense of what 'real' poetry would be like. Poetry has a kind of structure in it, while hip hop just is mostly chaos, and doesn't really have a solid structure. I am not saying that poetry needs to have a solid structure, as seen in the swan poem that we read, but at least that one let you try to read it and interpret it in your own way. I feel that hip hop just puts it out there. Yes, it gives you an emotion, but it doesn't inspire you to think of what it could really mean. Also, you could write out the words of a hip hop, sure, but whether they will make any sense without the music, that would be questioned. Poetry has many meanings behind it, while I'd say that hip hop has none. I don't listen to a lot of hip hop, so I do not know about the ones with profanity, but it still makes me think that hip hop cannot be considered as poetry. My last note is that hip hop can be used to convey an artists feelings, but I would not put it as poetry.
ReplyDeletehip hop has metaphors and things that have deeper meaning too...^
ReplyDeleteYeah, but I wouldn't hear it. Also, I don't listen to hip hop that much, it is just my take on what I have listened to so far. They still would not be considered poetry to me. Take out the music, take out the pictures, that would be poetry. But what happens when you take it out? It becomes a lot more dull, and it is different now.
DeletePoetry is written expression using format, images and description as tools of expression. It is meant to be read, and then interpreted as the reader wishes. The fact that poetry can be interpreted differently by different people is important, for lines may take on completely new meanings depeneding on the tone, mood, format and emotion behind the words. In hip hop, the words are spoken to a rhythm and often have a macho, pimp tone to them. This cannot be classified as poetry for several reasons. Hip hop leaves no room for interpretation other than, "That was good", and "That was total bull". The words already have their own meaning, which does not give the reader, or in this case listener, a chance to ponder and add their own twist or feelings to the text. Also, the rhythm or beat in the background adds a mood to the music (note how it is music, not text). The beat begins before the words are even spoken, already defining how the text should be presented and taken. Also, hip hop lacks the format and creativity of poetry. Poetry's loose boundaries make up much of its meaning. One can play around with positioning of words, spelling, punctuation, grammar, line sequencing, font and format with poetry. All of these things cannot be clearly identified within hip hop. To adress the last point, we cannot judge whether hip hop is poetry based on its message, but we can certaintly judge its appropriatness. People become more violent and aggressive when exposed to music with dark messages. Murderers have been known to psych themselves up for a kill by listening to music with messages that are gruesome and involve death. Rap music often glorifies pimping, sex, money and violence. This is unacceptable for people to be exposed to. Personally, my ipod consists of Spongebob's "The Best Day Ever", Natasha Bedingfield's "Pocketfull of Sunshine" and The Temper Trap's "Sweet Disposition". Music can truly alter the mood of someone, which brings me back to why hip hop cannot be poetry. The music fixes one's interpretation and narrows it.
ReplyDeleteSome people define poetry as "expression of ideas", but it is so much more. It revolves around the way one can change the format, alter the text and open the interpretation. Messages have nothing to do with the classification. The way one determines the ultimate message and the arrival at that meaning is how we classify poetry. Hip hop is simply not poetry.
Wow Charlie...
DeleteWell, Devil's Advocate is always fun, contrary to your... Belief.
Hip hop would not only leave room for your two choices. There is still, I think there's something more. Maybe the beat starts before the words start, but that could be setting the stage, just as the swan had set its stage of "How do I read this" and e.e. cumming has set his stage using the mixed up jumbles, also making us this, "Omg, I can't read this!"
Poetry needs time before you know what it actually means, maybe hip hop is like that too. Take Dear Mama for example, it talks about how his Mom had to go through a lot when she was in jail and had to give birth to him. Without music and graphic images, would a poem be able to give you that sense? Without the artist setting up that stage, would you have gotten the message? It may restrict you, but it also gives shows you another way to think.
So let me insert my two cents into this discussion. Victor and Pranab has introduced an excellent point that I'd like to explore. We can suggest that hip hop is a valid form of expression, that it contains figure language, rhythmic structure, assonance, alliteration, and rhyme, but as you have frequently heard me ask: WHERE'S THE EVIDENCE??? Let us present some examples! I love the links some of us have provided to Lupe Fiasco and Eminen songs in support of hip hop as poetry. Why am I not seeing the opposing view? If Soulja Boy isn't poetry present some evidence!!!!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the excellent discussion as always young minds.
In response to Mr. Ferencz's call for a devils advocate:
ReplyDeleteAs many people have been saying, poetry (and as a broader field - art) is about expression, rhythm and possibly a deeper meaning. Although there is no way to quantify how poetic something is, when the goal in writing a rap is just to make money, then it is not poetry (for the same reason I do not believe that most modern art is actually art). There is nothing wrong with trying to make money off of a rap, but writing words that rhyme (a lot of the time the words are derogative and inappropriate) and adding a beat does not make it poetry.
As people were saying, poetry is about expression, we can really see the thought and deeper meaning that goes into writing it. That is why were able to analyze a poem for a complete period in class. You can't do that for most rap. There are exceptions, but generally one cannot analyze the lyrics of a rap like you can with a true poem. Rhyming to a beat is not poetry.
Stereo Hearts - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3E9Wjbq44E&ob=av3e
ReplyDelete(Alternative Hip Hop as said on Wikipedia)
To support my argument, although I do give a lot of love to this song, I say it wouldn't be poetry. There are lyrics that can be expanded and seen, and they do not make sense at all without the music and it doesn't have any structure to it at all. If you read it another way, like we were doing when we tried to read the swan, it wouldn't make that much sense. This is meant to be read in one way, and as Charlie said, is very restricting. It doesn't allow room for others to give another interpretation of it, when poetry would allow room for interpretation. This song, I still stress that I love it (The chorus), doesn't sound good without the music and the artist rapping it along. If you had just read it, I don't think any of you would like the song, compared to poetry, where it doesn't need a specific pace and still convey a feeling.
I don't listen to a lot of mainstream music, but most of the music that's very popular is just for entertainment. I mean you dance to it, you sing along but in most cases there is no deeper meaning to the lyrics. Just going down the list of popular songs on http://www.songlyrics.com/hip-hop-rap-lyrics.php shows the topics that most hip-hop/rap music talk about. There are some songs that are there for more than just entertainment, but there are a lot more of stereotypical hip-hop/rap topics.
ReplyDeleteMoving away from hip-hop/rap entirely, I listen to metal, and a lot of people think it's just people with guitars and screaming, and vice-versa when I describe rap. For both sides, if you take a look a good look at the lyrics and them messages that these songs are giving, they become more than just a catchy beat, or some loud noise. One example from metal is "Indonesia" by ABR. The final line to the song is:
"He sleeps in the mountains of Indonesia, and the white on his flag brings colors to shame, colors to shame."
There is clearing something more to the music. I found in an interview from one of the band members that:
"Indonesia" tells the story of a family who surrendered all they had to minister to a remote tribe, the story of a husband and father killed in a tragic accident, and most importantly, the story of a widower and four children that kept their faith in God, even when all seemed lost." (http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858785367/)
Some examples
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om4eqmF1hlM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha80ZaecGkQ&ob=av3e
I am a highly frequent listener to many styles of music that somewhat includes the modern hip hop world. For the most part, hip hop today is created for nothing more than a way to become famous, rich, and to gain the approval of society (having fans). As Jerry said hip hop is superficial and has no real meaning. A high percentage of hip hop simply repeats the same shallow message of money, girls, cars, houses, basketball, dances. One such song is "Valid like Salad" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjpLqmoz1iE) which lacks a clear subject matter and is an ignorant song altogether. Some may argue that some artists do create music to express emotions and feelings such as a poem would do, however, many artists have begun their careers with passionate songs but have changed to a style that lacks any substance and meaning. Kanye West, for example, began his career with songs such as 2004, "Family Business" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNVbFQHf9L8) which talks about the issues that develop in a family that eventually sever their bonds. Through fame and the need for fan approval, Kanye West changed his original, truthful style to the common hip hop idea of money, girls, cars, fame, swag, power etc. such as 2011, "Otis" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoEKWtgJQAU&ob=av2e). This shows that although hip hop may use rhymes, similes, and metaphors, they lack the true meaning a poem provides.
ReplyDeleteThe lyrics to hip hop is somewhat like poetry but unlike poetry hip hop doesn't have a set standard or doesn't have to be as sophisticated. Hip hop is more leaning towards rhyming other than characteristics that poetry should have. The people who make up hip hop don't actually think about every precise word to use and they let what they think out into a rhyme. This is special because they're making it up on the spot but without the time to think about what to use their "poetry" doesn't sound as well and may go off topic. Also hip hop is used to express emotion using curse words but in poetry these words are usually avoid and the poem is giving a better form. I got my ideas from (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDlvnjfDXuQ) Jay Electronica Exhibit C.
ReplyDeleteDionis Wang period 4
Poetry is a form of literature where the writer and reader both contribute equally to the final effect. The writer formats the poem into whatever format he wants, ranging from stanzas to shapes of animals. The reader, in turn, can interpret the poem however he wants, based on what he thinks the writer is saying. The fluid structure of poetry allows a wide range of emotions to be covered in a relatively short amount of time. Based on the circumstance, certain songs and categories of hip hop may be able to be defined as poetry. Hip hop lyrics are structured similarly to poems but are heard not read. I think hip hop can actually be considered poetry, just not good poetry. Although we commonly associate poetry with authors of the literary canon, we should also consider that we do not have to be world-renowned writers to write poetry. Most literate people are able to write poems, but most of what they produce will probably not be "good" poetry. Similarly, hip hop is a genre of music that widely does not ogger lyrics with much depth and meaning. However, it can still be considered bad poetry. Also, although many people argue that the topics discussed in rap and hip hop are negative and inappropriate, it can also be argued that poems also discuss similar subjects. It is not hard to find poems written about depression, murder, drugs, and violence, such as the poem "The Tell-Tale Heart," by Edgar Allen Poe. However, people do not seem to consider such poems inappropriate, even though they talk about the same things. Despite the generalization that many rappers or hip hop artists are involved with drugs, there are also many poets and writers facing similar situations, such as Ken Kesey. Many famous writers and poets also suffer from depression and other drug abuse issues, such as Poe or Hemmingway.
ReplyDeleteI think poetry is the expression of ideas and feelings using words. Poem uses english devices like metaphors, similes, rhyming, syllables, and more. This fits in with hip hop and rap because if you listen to hip hop and rap carefully, you could tell that they use the same format. Both include metaphors, similes, and etc. If you write out the words to hip hop and rap and compare it to a poetry, you can find the similarities. A difference is that Hip hop and rap uses curses while poetry doesn't. Hip hop and rap can both be considered poetry because they're both used as a form of expression. Hip hop and rap has been degrading for years. A lot of hip hop and rap nowadays have no meaning to them. It’s considered garbage to many because all it focuses on is money, cars, violence, sex, basketball, house, women, and etc.You still can’t say it’s not poetry because it fits the definition of it. It might just be a different approach to it. Hip hop, rap, and poetry all have a meaning to it and expressing feelings. You can't say that hip hop and rap are not poetry because they are.
ReplyDeleteI think that rap is not a form of poetry. I say this because poetry talks about life concepts and situations that are very common, for example, like war or love. Also, poetry even when written about a specific event pertaining to that one person, in the end, it gives a moral, or something to learn from his experience or some kind of conclusion. Rap on the other hand mostly just talks about a personal experience but does not give a conclusion or lesson to learn, it mostly just talks about the event. This is a key ingredient I see in all poetry, and not in rap.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Victor above. I do not believe that rap and hip hop should be considered to be poetry. Poetry should be natural and conveys a meaning that the reader must determine. It provides insight and the structure of the poem could be used to contribute to the essence of the literature. However, hip hop appears to be very forced and may be confusing. I think that its surreal sounds and rap creates a strange mix of confusion. Poetry is more easily recognized as elegant and unique. However, I am dubious about classifying hip hop as a form of poetry as well. It does contain some elements of poetry, though. The different types of expressionism in the music could be associated with the structure of poems; it adds to the meaning. However, hip hop is still more difficult to interpret. It also often boasts socially taboo context that is detrimental to its value. Poetry can also contain profanity and unaccepted topics, which I believe has the same effect. Any such type of use of "bad" topics probably draws away from the literature or music.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if used in a certain way, poetry can be considered poetry. Poetry is a way of expressing the author's emotions, actions of memories but may have a deeper meaning in it. Some hip-hop songs do not have any truly other meaning other than the lyrics but others have a deeper message. Hip-hop can talk about emotions, actions and memories. Poetry uses rhyme, alliteration and assonance. In Double Essay (S.S.A) by One Be Lo, there's examples of all three.
ReplyDeleteSecret Service agent, surely slowly aging
Shootin suckers, amazin super-soaker aimin
Silent skill assassin, surfer sayin "Awesome"
Still slammin anybody, Stone Steve Austin
Sorta sour apple, spittin slang at'chu (ah-choo!)
Senim Silla's anthem, stealin shows in action
Sixty seconds, and sexy shorties admire
Somebody should acquire sixty-seven amplifiers
Silky smooth adult, soakin soapy aloe
Storm shadow, attackin swingin swords ample
Soldier solo Army
Stop shootin archery, shell shocked armory
Skills symbolize artillery
Scratch sniff activated sensory, super auxiliary
Some sail away south Sydney, Australia
Souvenir shops always see some aliens
Solar system apparatus, scale stratus
Atmosphere scary, Spielberg actress
Soul sister Asian
Sweet sixteen adolescent, sweat shop accommodations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEirbm8ReJ0
I would say that rap is a specific subset of poetry. Poetry is, after all, when language is used for its additional aesthetic qualities, including those we discussed in class: assonance, rhyme, alliteration, repetition, and so on. In general, rap follows this. However, there are times when rap songs deviate from this pattern, and they can be considered to be on the "borderline". Even if we don't recognize it, this type of rap still holds a message.
ReplyDeleteFor example, Eminem's "Kim" (extremely explicit) consists of Eminem screaming curses, threats, alluding to misogyny, domestic violence, and infanticide. Here's an example taken from this song: "There's a four year old boy lyin' dead with a slit throat". If you play this song to most people, they'll probably tell you to turn this "disgusting crap" or "garbage" off and be very freaked out. However, if you listen to the song with an open mind, and you consider what Eminem was going through at the time that this was written, you can realize that this song contains the real deal - the true, raw expression of his feelings, anger, and sadness. This definitely has meaning and all of his lyrics can be analyzed to determine what was going on with him mentally at the time.
I personally don’t like rap but I think rap is a form of poetry. Poetry is a form of art and art is used to express feelings. Rap is also a way that the artist uses to express their feelings. After reading a poem we would analyze it and decide what the deeper meaning behind it is. For example, we read the poem “The Man He Killed” and decided that the message the poet was trying to send was war is an ironic thing where you are ordered to kill someone you could have easily been friends with. However, if you take the time to analyze the lyrics of rap songs, most of them will have a deeper meaning or messages the artist is trying to convey to the audience. For example in the song “Not Afraid” by Eminem, the lyrics expresses a situation/feelings that any poem has yet done. Here is a link to the difference analysis and interpretation of the song that audiences have.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lyricinterpretations.com/Eminem/Not-Afraid
Also, some people might disagree that rap cannot be a form of poetry because of the vulgar and rough languages of the song, however, many people actually relate to these songs really well. Just because rap is different from poems in style, it doesn’t mean it’s not poetry. Rap to poems is like paintings by Michelangelo to paintings by Picasso. People doesn’t disagree that paintings by Picasso is art, in fact they embrace the uniqueness and creativity of it. Still there are people who prefer a Michelangelo painting over a Picasso painting and vice versa. So it makes sense that some people prefer the old form of poetry over the more modern version of poetry.