MollyJane

Why are white rap artists discredited more than non-white artists?

I have never understood this. Especially when one of the groups that helped to make *rap* popular was WHITE and one of the best selling artists lately is WHITE.

It makes no sense to me.

DarkPsyFanatic

Probably because rap largely started as a black genre, and during the founding day's seeing a white rapper was unheard of. The Beastie Boys started out as a hardcore punk group, but switched to more of a rap style in the mid 80's which was well after rap started. Also even after becoming a rap group, Beastie Boys were always more rock orientated than their black peers at the time. Does that make the discrimination right? No, but it's something that exists anyway.

ladyt

Alot of white people cant rap? I know that sounds bad, but let me explain abit. I was born into the gold spoon in mouth deal, we went from that to ghetto (and I mean the worse than ghetto GHETTO), a ton of white boys always thought they could grab the chicks with the quick wits and rhymes, but more than likely, most whites can not rhyme quick. Oddly, I can manage this, with some songs I hear off/on (I also learn to play instruments at an early age by ear, so as long as I hear the pitch I know how it should work/sound/etc.).

Almost as good a question as the meaning of life!

MC_Pretty

I would have to go with the record labels.

They weren't looking to sign *white* rappers, but trying to reach another base of $$ - the colored base. Then a bunch of independent labels came out and they were ran by colored artists and had no interest in a white rapper either. So you don't see as many that got signed or even were given a chance.

MollyJane

What about Rick Rubin? With out him... sooo many people would be still on the street. I know he's not a rapper, but he is one of the biggest white influences on the genre. And without him, the genre would NOT be what it is.

penguin

I love the hiphop and rap of eminem.I think he is as good a rapper as any.In fact, he is one of the highest selling rap artists, not just among white rappers.I am not sure why other white rappers don't do as well.Probably it has something to do with the history of rap.I think as more white rappers get known ,the mindset that whites can't rap would change.

quinda2

Don't get me started on Rick Rubin! While he may be a good producer, he's also a complete jackass according to many of the artists who've worked with him in the past. His influence on rap itself is somewhat debatable, but he did sign many now famous rappers to his Def Jam label.

peaches

I know many people of all races, and I can say, from a dance partner experience, seldom do I see a Caucasian with rhythm, and if one is seem, there is a fight that breaks out among the women who wants to have that person a partner. Very competitive. I am still getting the feel for the rap stuff, but I am working on it. I am slowly getting there with the help of some family.

lir

I must say I truly love it when someone talks some smack about a white artist that cant rap, then they get up on stage and spit it better than most that were dissing em. Maybe its just me, but I tend to root for the underdog.

quinda2

Yeah, i'm actually the same way. After all, why NOT root for the underdog?

Always good to see the little guy come out on top if you ask me.

And rapping ability has nothing to do with race, it's about TALENT.

Either you got it, or you don't.

The AFX

There's a number of good white rappers out there, although they are largely outnumbered by black artists. Most mainstream rappers these day's are pretty wack period. When you look underground, you'll find a lot of excellent artists some of which just so happen to be white or latino. As quinda said, judge on talent not race.

ladyt

Sadly, many don't and I still wind up being amazed when some record company backs a new artist (no matter what the race) and they end up being crap. I take all music serious, too bad others don't.