Amos - I agree entirely with your comments on Rap music (most of it). It emanates from and is directed toward what I would term a very low and negatively inclined mentality...one that glories in its lowness or secretly hates itself for being both what it is and what it is not. I don't believe that has anything to do in the ultimate sense with any given race, by the way, I think it has to do with powerlessness, ghettos, poverty, lawlessness, racism, "victim" psychology, the drug trade, and despair, all masquerading as a super-macho arrogant "attitude"...all of which the music marketing system is only to happy to harness in its endless search for a quick buck.

That being said, I will say that there is some genuinely good and creative rap...like one minute out of a given 9 hours...but there is some. And there are plenty of talented rappers, no doubt. I wish their talents were put to better use.

- LH