From time to time I have to report out on the insanity of the Rolling Stones lists and their fixation with Bob Dylan, the sixties, and other obscurities. Here I had to revise their top guitarist list which was comically irrelevant, as well as their equally terrible top guitar songs list.
While I know hardly anything about hip hop relative to my knowledge of rock everyone knows that putting Eminem on the cover is a gaffe in that community. Even Eminem himself would probably cringe at being the face of hip hop, when you have icons like Jay-Z, Tupac, Biggie, Snoop, Dr Dre, and Kanye. Sure he’s the best white rapper alive but really…
Then onto the list. These songs are so old I even remember them.
1. “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash from 1982
2. “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang from 1979
3. “Planet Rock” by Afrika Bambattaa from 1982
4. “Sucker MC’s” by Run-DMC from 1983
5. “Nuthin’ But a “G” Thang” by Dr. Dre and Snoop from 1992
It is hilarious that Rolling Stone put their “musty test” to rap just like they do to rock (Bob Dylan) and guitar (Jimi Hendrix). They are really saying that those first four songs that are 30 years old or even older are the best hip hop songs? They are definitely old and were pioneers but that isn’t the best. Fine I’ll agree with #5 but the first four gotta go.
Luckily the list is so laughably bad right from the top and with Eminem on the cover I don’t need to spend even five minutes thinking about it. This post basically wrote itself.
Cross posted at LITGM
Take it from someone who has spent some time on the subject. Rock and roll has some value, deserves some interest. It is, however, an appalling come down from the popular music of the 20s, 30s and 40s.
Rap is simply garbage. At least one alumnus claims to have detected interesting syncopation, but I suspect he’s kidding.
Don’t embarrass yourself with a similar posting in the future.
Rolling Stone is still in print? Who buys such stuff? John Kerry?
Rap is not hip hop.
If rap is not hip hop what is hip hop? and, what is rap? what is the difference?
I really don’t know as I have done my best to ignore all post rock genres of popular music.
Well Rap is a form of Hip Hop. I love Jazz and have an extensive collection. I love Rock and have an extensive collection. I love Hip Hop and have a slightly smaller collection than the other two.
If you think any form of music is garbage you have little understanding and probably no taste.
Eminem is as culturally significant as say…Charlie Manson? I can never hear his “name” or see an image of his preposterous visage without being reminded of the “Triumph The Insult Comic” incident. Who could ever forget his dye-job being compared to the hair color of a Beagles nut-sack? Hip-hop and it’s rat-bastard, rotten-to-the core culture is all part o’ Hope y Change.
Thanks, Alcibiades, for pointing out that rap is not the same as hip hop. I am also aware that horse sh*t differs somewhat from bull sh*t, and care just as little. And a hearty harrumph to you, too, Pen.