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Rap, meaning ‘rhythm and poetry’, is a genre of music that involves reciting words rapidly and rhythmically over an [instrumental] backing. Rap originates from [African American] culture, some of its most notable artists being Tupac Shakur, Rakim, Dr Dre, Biggie Smalls, etc.

‘Rhythm’ refers to the flow and beat of the instrumental backing, as well as how deftly the words are recited.

‘Poetry’ refers to the lyrics, usually involving social and/or political issues in addition to personal life stories and experiences.

An issue that many [old school rap] fans take up with rappers nowadays is that they don’t produce nor write their own music, which was a big part of the rap genre. Some claim that this takes away from the background of the genre, and how the lyrics in rap songs were used as an outlet for black people facing oppression in America.

Old school fans tend to value the lyrics and the [emotional] value of rap songs, whereas newer fans tend to value the beat and how successful the song can be.

(Note: Not all new rappers are distasteful. For example, Kendrick Lamar, Tink, J.Cole, and others do implement lyrics about issues black people face today into their music.)

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