I dont know much about RAP either, other than it puts me off, and much of it was/is intended to. However, though it is not sing alongable, it is often written about real issues, by actual people! It represents rebellion, "telling it like it is", and it rhymes with tight meter! Though it flys in the face of respectibility, it contains many elements that could be considered "folk", if you can stretch a bit;... conflict, politics, (attemts at) self realization, and lots of references to how it feels to be insignificant in the face of our techno-power based civilization. If we put ourselves into the position of being broke, young, disempowered, surrounded by guns, dependent upon expensive everything...(cars, housing, dining, concerts, computers, etc.), then we have a reality check for musical expression.

Now, I can't vouch for the art form, or the way it feels violent, mean, and pointless. However, it does describe the feelings of a generation, and this has historical meaning whether we like it or not.

Though I seldom hear RAP that I enjoy even remotely, it has got some of the elements of descriptive balladry, coupled with the same context that makes labor songs so meaningful...

I just dont like the art form,.... thats all! ttr