I need some tips on Album Reviews

[Tuomas]

he is because he sells records. unfortunately that is all that matters these days, but it's natural everyone wants to get paid

and it's a pretty weird that people try to separate hiphop and rap nowadays. like there is hiphop music and there is rap music...?
the real definition of hiphop: it's a culture that originally consisted of mc's, dj's, graffiti and breakdancing. but today it seems that rapping is the only way of expressing the culture. most of hiphop has sell out

[Colin]

I think there can be a difference between hip-hop and rap. But generally I think of rap as the music, and hip-hop as the culture. For example you may have an artist like the aforementioned J-Lo, or for a much better example Mary J. Blige or even Aaliyah, who sings, but has a definitive hip-hop edge to them. It could be in terms of the production or in what they're saying, but it could be there.

Similarily you can have a group that raps, but isn't hip-hop. This could be anything from the Linkin Park to way back when Blondie put out a rap song.

[Yessie]

I like everything But country. my ears cant take country music.

[Cameron]

lol I was just waiting for Jae to reply, I knew he'd have a good anti-rap argument

Colin I despise Nickelback and most rock bands from today too. Again, there's no music... powerchords and yelling just aren't my cup of tea. One way I like to guage music is if I'm going to like it for a week, a month, and will I be listening to it still 30 years down the road. For example look at classical... it's transgressed centuries and is still being enjoyed and played on a daily basis. I just don't see people listening to Milkshake (sorry, mainstream I know) or like, Coldplay in 30 years. However I will try some of those examples you mentioned. In fact there are a few rappy-related things I enjoy, such as Everlast (shut up, his old stuff is wicked) and that song by the transplants with that repeating piano riff. The key part is that there is obviously some musical ability going into the writing process and I think that's what level I appreciate music on.

[Tuomas]

well especially "older" rap music approached the beats by using samples of old funk and jazz pieces for example, but today majority of beats are made by samplers and computers. I prefer good old school dj:ing