As most others have probably noticed, the majority of mainstream rappers these day's are rather umm... "free" with the use of cursewords. While I am by no means a censorship nut, I do feel it's over-done. This isn't even about helping to express anger, or even shock-value anymore. Most artists do it, just because everyone else is. Although I feel curses can be effective in moderation to help get a point across, they are just used for the f**k of it now. But how do you feel?

Many things came turn less attractive when moderation is not used. I think it boils down to what is accepted by so many of the business people in the field, and so many expect an artist to curse. Its really not always needs, its not like I have gone through my past 50+ years cursing all the time to get my point across. As I mentioned before, my children and grand children have shown me many new genres of music I never would have thought to listen to before, I can say honestly that I have seen many of these artist who use constant foul language, and for a long time it turned me off to that particular type of music. As I am now learning not everyone follows the one side I am beginning more to like some of the new stuff out there now.

I think its over used and unnecessary. Many artists did just fine with out cussing at all. Ever.
Today's society accepts so much more and so people take a mile for that inch.

I sit back and think of so many things now that are tolerated. Back when I was a teen, many years ago, these people would have been tarred and feathered for attempting to get away with some of the language they do now.

Cursing is way overdone period, and not just in rap music. The same overuse can be found in other genres of music, along with many blockbuster films. Much of it serves no purpose, other than to be cute or what have you.

I think if they are trying to use it for emphasis, oh yeah, if you say a word so many times it becomes meaningless and worthless. I don't care if a person curses in front of me, but if they use it thinking they are cool or making a point, I just laugh.

The funny thing is, curse words are actually one of the smaller problems with modern mainstream rap. The larger problem is many rappers being irresponsible about sending the right messages to todays youth. The other big issue is the complete lack of creativity in many artists music. That's not just a problem in rap though...

I really disagree with the cursing words that are used in any genres of music. Music is a poem written with notes and it should be sang as an art and not just a group of trash words. I think most young people don't listen to the message of the song as long as the beat is good. And rap music most often have good beat to keep them active.

I think when rap was introduced ,it was about being able to express yourself freely even if that was done by drawing attention to the subject by using cuss words.But somewhere in it's evolution ,it has been misread as a genre where you have to be vulgar to call it rap ,sometimes so much so that the message is lost and all that's left is unnecessary cursing.I have read many rappers argue that it's the same in movies and other art forms but no one complains there.Personally,I think I have got used to some cursing in rap and now it doesn't bother me.Still there are rappers who don't overdo it and that's the rap I enjoy listening.

That's exactly the problem Penguin, Rap rarely ever has a "message anymore. Now it's just used for empty bragging about how they enjoy the luxuries in life, or whatever the hell else. Just really saddening...

Explicit Lyrics are the singlehandedly most annoying things ever. I cannot stand explicit lyrics. Why ruin such a beautiful song with tasteless words.

Not all explicit lyrics are necessarily used in a tasteless manner. Unfortunately they are more often that not used that way.

explicit lyrics are like a crutch, and many rappers just throw in a few extra F bombs just to make the song "flow better" or whatever else they claim.

It would be nice to hear less explicit lyrics every now and then.

Everlast, ever listened to him. There is a song of his that has been all over the radio for a couple of years now, I don't know the name of it but it goes like this:

Seen a rich man beg, seen a poor man lose, then you might know what its like....

Now while there are some certain "adult words" in the song, I think its down fairly simple, gets the point across w/o going over the edge.

Now of course, the station changed songs to RATM (which I don't mind at midnight), but I wish more main stream stations would play some techno, kinda pisses me off abit. :( Most are just pushing the limits playing RATM (not main stream groups), I just wish more DJ's got the coverage the pop crap did. :)

What Its Like is the song by Everlast. I've always loved that song and the message it gives. Its beautiful to listen to and shows alot of thought and concern for the human condition.

I detest explicit lyrics due to their gratuitous nature. When a song is called "bitch" and still feels the need to repeat that same word over and over again its numbing. I remember when that wasn't an acceptable word on TV and radio. I think it still shouldn't be acceptable. When we teach kids those words are ok to play on the radio they think they are ok to use and call other people. I seldom listen to rap because of the wording and I've been known to buy edited CDs because I don't want to hear the swearing and derogatory stuff. Although I don't agree 100% with Walmart censoring their music I do like the fact that they are willing to stand up to the industry.

Although I have got used to cursing being a part of rap , I agree with the point you are making. When we let the kids listen to music where rappers swear like crazy , they think that's the norm and that's how the social interaction should be.Once they get into that mindset ,it would be hard to set them on the right path. We should encourage them to listen to singers who do it without having to curse in their songs.

Cursing is...fairly retarded. Nothing more I can think of saying than that.

No music really NEEDS foul language, especially when it's used as it often is...in a completely meaningless fashion.