Rap is a form of music like any other. What I object to is the fact that it has a representation in the media far beyond the size of its audience. If all musics had a fair media representation there would be no arguement, but why is it that every store and supermarket insists I listen to angry teenagers shouting at me over their sound systems. It appears to be all pervasive. The Mercury awards offered various musical styles as equal in importance, but I'll bet I never hear Eliza Carthy on my shopping trips!