What is everyone's favourite music over here?

[dvdjunkie]

I like all forms of music except for Classical Opera........just never could get into it........and I took a music course in college that was supposed to help me get over that hump......but it didn't.

Music I really dislike is limited only to Rap Crap. Now don't get me wrong, there is some really great hip-hop out there, but this stuff you hear on those cars that go boom, is really trash and garbage. Any music that disrespects parents, women, children and life overall is a real bummer and those artists should be boycotted.

Some of my favorite artist include: The Who, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones,Aerosmith, Judy Collins, Garth Brooks, Dierks Bentley, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, and oh so many others. My most favorite group today is from Canada - The Tragically Hip. They are really good.

[MadonnasManOne]

Music I really dislike is limited only to Rap Crap. Now don't get me wrong, there is some really great hip-hop out there, but this stuff you hear on those cars that go boom, is really trash and garbage. Any music that disrespects parents, women, children and life overall is a real bummer and those artists should be boycotted.

Amen to that! I can't believe the crap that these "kids" today, listen to. I swear, if I were a parent, and I heard my kid driving down the road listening to some song with words like, "Smack that a$$, bend it over...." etc., I'd pull him/her out of the car, bend them over my knee, and show them what "smacking that a$$" really meant. It's terrible that these rap artists can just throw a bunch of disrespecting words into "phat" beats, and call it music. I hate it!

[PixarFan2006]

Some of my favorite artists are:

"Weird" Al Yankovic
Queen
Michael Jackson
Smash Mouth
Blink 182
and The Carpenters

I also like disney songs (obviously) since they've always been a part of my childhood.

[Lazario]

Amen to that! I can't believe the crap that these "kids" today, listen to. I swear, if I were a parent, and I heard my kid driving down the road listening to some song with words like, "Smack that a$$, bend it over..." etc., I'd pull him/her out of the car, bend them over my knee, and show them what "smacking that a$$" really meant. It's terrible that these rap artists can just throw a bunch of disrespecting words into "phat" beats, and call it music. I hate it!

I don't much care for the raunchy vulgarity of today's sexually-laced rap music either. But at the same time... it's just sex. Sort of like - Love, no matter how sloppily and selfishly it's expressed, is still in some way an expression of something that the world is sorely lacking in, currently.

Plus - I am really not very keen on white people judging black people so freely. It's sort of beyond disrespectful, like assuming you understand you know more than they do but haven't lived the same life. Has, however subtly, the same affect as the old insult of calling a black man "boy" or presuming that they have to play along with certain rules of society that they've refused to (in short - who are We to make that judgment?). Racism is getting a lot more visibility these days - and that Crap is absolutely not cool with me. Do you really want to be like those kind of people?

Anyway - as for, what is this new vulgarity in music? Black people have often had sex to music. Now, they're letting everyone know it verbally. It's almost like a lesson in culture. And then - it's also business. Bad business practice, you think? I've seen worse!

[MadonnasManOne]

Amen to that! I can't believe the crap that these "kids" today, listen to. I swear, if I were a parent, and I heard my kid driving down the road listening to some song with words like, "Smack that a$$, bend it over..." etc., I'd pull him/her out of the car, bend them over my knee, and show them what "smacking that a$$" really meant. It's terrible that these rap artists can just throw a bunch of disrespecting words into "phat" beats, and call it music. I hate it!

I don't much care for the raunchy vulgarity of today's sexually-laced rap music either. But at the same time... it's just sex. Sort of like - Love, no matter how sloppily and selfishly it's expressed, is still in some way an expression of something that the world is sorely lacking in, currently.

Plus - I am really not very keen on white people judging black people so freely. It's sort of beyond disrespectful, like assuming you understand you know more than they do but haven't lived the same life. Has, however subtly, the same affect as the old insult of calling a black man "boy" or presuming that they have to play along with certain rules of society that they've refused to (in short - who are We to make that judgment?). Racism is getting a lot more visibility these days - and that Crap is absolutely not cool with me. Do you really want to be like those kind of people?

Anyway - as for, what is this new vulgarity in music? Black people have often had sex to music. Now, they're letting everyone know it verbally. It's almost like a lesson in culture. And then - it's also business. Bad business practice, you think? I've seen worse!

Are you freaking kidding me?! Absolutely amazing, Lazario. I'm not judging the music based upon color! I'm judging it based upon the fact that a majority of it is degrading. Degrading to women, especially. It's also degrading to humanity, when the content is about killing people, harming people, insulting people, etc. I never once said it had ANYTHING to do with being black. In fact, the worst offense of this type of music comes, in my opinion, from Eminem, who is as white as snow! He's the worst thing to happen to rap music, in my opinion. That has NOTHING to do with what skin color he has. It's his attitude, and THAT is what I'm against, not what color he, or anyone else, is!

[Lazario]

Are you freaking kidding me?!

Not technically.

I'm not judging the music based upon color!

I know you're not. But what you're saying is more than starting to head into that direction. You are indirectly about to head down that road.

I'm judging it based upon the fact that a majority of it is degrading. Degrading to women, especially.

That's exactly how I used to feel. However, a great deal of women disagree. Not just the sort of not-caring girls who actually buy and listen to this music, but actual music scholars and feminists alike. I've had many long, very in-depth conversations with women on this topic. So I feel I'm speaking from some experience, and not just for myself.

It's also degrading to humanity, when the content is about killing people, harming people, insulting people, etc.

If you're talking about your average, ordinary gangster rap, and not just the Ludicris / Missy Elliot type Party rap that you were more than hinting at before, than I'd agree with you - but again, I've learned better. This sort of discussion has been going on for ages. Back when the Wu Tang Clan and 2Pac Shakur were all the rage. Their music was always more about creating a realistic portrait of street life, because they had experienced it. And as that - it really was important. And yeah of course, that was then and this is now. And every positive message that could be, has been made. So, I'm a little surprised to see so much shock coming from you. But then, perhaps you weren't around during the Wu Tang hayday.

In fact, the worst offense of this type of music comes, in my opinion, from Eminem, who is as white as snow!

I couldn't agree more. That guy truly has nothing to talk about, except being Famous Eminem - which was the basis of his last 2 albums. He came from a decent family (somewhat - ha ha), and if I'm not mistaken, had his troubles not with street drug addictions, but Prescription Pills.

He's the worst thing to happen to rap music, in my opinion.

That I can't agree with. Because for awhile there, he had a lot of very amusing and truthful things to say about pop culture. And in the beginning of his career, before the "homophobic" lyrics controversy - he was a very smart and fascinating writer. He earned those early Grammys. But since, I agree, his music has become frightening derivative and just pure White Rapper Shock material. And 8Mile was a freaking joke.

[Siren]

I hate 99% of rap music. Will Smith is one of the few rappers who've I've liked in the past, but I don't own any of his albums. His music just doesn't annoy me.

Assuming people hate rap due to the fact that most rap artists are black is racist in itself. I hate opera too, most opera singers are white, so does that mean I hate over half of my very own existance. I'm not much for a lot of Latin music either, there is the rest of my existance. No, I don't like rap music. I don't like it because of the bass, which literally makes my stomach vibrate so much I feel sick. That really is it. To say because of the violence and sexuality is a problem in the music for me, would also mean I'd have to hate rock music too. Much of Aerosmith, KISS, etc is about sex. Some of their songs are even degrading to women. And of course, much of rock music is violent. However, its the type of music I like, not the color.

I don't see the conversation at all becoming racist. I guess we must assume that we opera haters hate Caucasians too. Or those of us who hate country music (like myself), must be racist against whites. I'm sorry, but saying any member here hates rap because of race if bloody f'in stupid.

[Princessmarlo]

I agree I don't like most rap because it is degrading to women and very violent, but that doesn't make me racist. Because there are some great musicians out there that are black and I have nothing against them. I just think people are stupid for listening to music that is degrading espicially when women are trying to be respected. What makes me even more mad is when women know what is it about and still like it listen to it and buy it.

[yanya]

Avril Lavigne...
... I said it! I just think she has a great voice and puts on a great live show, plus I voted for her once on TRL and one a trip to New York from MTV.

Other singers/bands: The Action Design, Michelle Branch, No Doubt, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Wesley Willis

[Lazario]

Will Smith is one of the few rappers who've I've liked in the past, but I don't own any of his albums. His music just doesn't annoy me.

I don't see why. He's just as bassful as 90% of other rappers.

Will Smith is a musical chump. He's got a little style but nothing to say (which of course, is almost the same as any rap artist) that isn't preachy. How high-nosed of him to consistently claim his music is family friendly, "I don't have to curse in my rap songs." He has no problem however, cursing up a Sh*t storm in his movies. And that's just his PG-13 movies.

Assuming people hate rap due to the fact that most rap artists are black is racist in itself.

Do you actually know what racism is?

I don't like rap music. I don't like it because of the bass, which literally makes my stomach vibrate so much I feel sick.

Rap is not the only bass-heavy brand of music. Yet, you've certainly jumped on the Bandwagon who have decided to single it out. That's convenient.

However, its the type of music I like, not the color.

I didn't doubt that.

I don't see the conversation at all becoming racist.

Actually, we're already there. Racism has 2 tones. Stable and Kinetic - Dormant and Active. I've had a lot of very informative and in-depth conversations with black and Asian people, and they very accurately depict racism as something unavoidable. But we make the choice to use it for the negative when we identify things from the cultures of alternate races as malicious, scary, or offensive. It's a very simple matter of, who are We to make that judgment? How much do we actually understand about it?

I guess we must assume that we opera haters hate Caucasians too. Or those of us who hate country music (like myself), must be racist against whites.

That's pretty ridiculous.

Racism exists within situations where there is a dominant race - therefore white people truly cannot be racist of their own kind, at least not in an Active, Negative manner. In a sense, this whole thing started because of the fear of Popularity of rap music and the disgust for the people who listen to rap. Still a comment on who's making the music. The "why do we put up with it?" Like, we have a choice to let people make the music or buy the music. Control / domination - a very real form of racism.

I'm sorry, but saying any member here hates rap because of race if bloody f'in stupid.

Well then, you obviously don't understand what hate is.

[slave2moonlight]

Well, actually, you CAN be racist against your own race. There's even a word for it. For the life of me, I can't remember what the word is, but I remember learning about that in college Sociology. Plus, I have known people who clearly considered their own race to be inferior, though I can't understand why someone would think that about themself, and they usually don't realize it or admit it. And there are plenty of reasons not to like a particular type of music that have nothing to do with race. Rap is no exception.

Personally, rap is one of the two types of music I don't usually care for (the other type being the blatantly satanic stuff). However, some of the older rap I remember liking, when it was, or at least seemed a bit less violent. I do like the Beastie Boys, but I guess that could come off as racist since the only rappers I can name as ones I like happen to be white, ha. In truth though, I just never cared for the fact that rap was just talking...in rhyme... to a beat.... I just don't see it as music. As for the Beastie Boys, they just have a unique sound when they do it that is kinda funny, and that's why I like their stuff. I guess the only times I have liked rap in the past is when it has been slightly humorous (which is why, when I was a kid, I liked Will Smith's stuff too, though I'm not much of a fan of his nowadays).

Rap music aside, the types of music I really like... Well, as I said, I like most other types of music. I'm sure there are some others I don't like that are escaping me right now. Mainly, I like classic rock, I'm a huge Eagles fan, love Aerosmith, I like 30's and 40's music, Blues, Big Band jazzy stuff like Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael Buble, Swing, and even some country music. I like some MTV-type pop music too, and I love movies so I love movie soundtracks (John Williams is the master!), and I LOVE Christmas music, especially upbeat stuff. I love the live-action Grinch soundtrack and am dying to get the "Elf" soundtrack (awesome movie!). I'm also a big Weird Al fan. And I'm sure I'm forgetting some stuff too.

[Key]

Hm... I enjoy lots of different genres of music, but I actively search for good post-rock, electronic, trip-hop, and ambient albums/artists I might like. Instrumental music FTW!

A few years back, I used to be in absolute love with Mogwai (I still lublublub their album Happy Songs for Happy People, although I don't revere them nearly as much now. I listened to their soundtrack contribution for this French film and it was pretty damn nice. Now, I enjoy more trip-hop/hip-hop artists like Nujabes (his work for the anime Samurai Champloo = teh WIN), Thievery Corporation, Pivot, etc. I'll never fully get off my post-rock music though. I need my emotional fix.

[MadonnasManOne]

Do you actually know what racism is?

I know you weren't directing this question at me, however, if there is any question, I have an answer.

I can tell you, that without a shadow of a doubt, I am not a racist. That's all there is to it. Just because I don't like a most rap, does not mean it has anything to do with me being racist. It means that I don't like the message. Period.

[HalRoachFan]

I'll also say that I can't stand rap, either, and for the reason being that it's horrible "music". I'm not closed minded, because I have heard rap plenty of times on TV or on the dreadful radio and I couldn't stand it. Now obviously, no one could call me racist for that because my favorite music just happens to be jazz, blues, and soul. It's nothing at all to do with color, it's about how fun, artistic, and decent the music is.

[Mr. Toad]

The Blues, simply the blues.

John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Taj Mahal among my favorites.

Also like Rock music from the Mid 50s to the Late 80s. Chuck Berry(Happy 80th) and Elvis, Beattles, Stones and Clapton, Led Zepplin, Seger and Springsteen.

As for Rap the only thing I have had any patience for is early Fresh Prince(Will Smith). And not so much for musical value, some of those songs are just damn funny. Parents Just Dont Undersatand, Nightmare on my Street.

[Siren]

Mr. Toad, ever listen to Damian Rice. Good stuff there. Very bluesy.

[Lazario]

I am not a racist.

I didn't say you were. But you're saying that because you don't want to be known as a racist - this having almost nothing to do with your point of view. You think what you think without a working knowledge of what racism is, or an assumption that it's hard to come by racist feelings because you don't believe you are a racist. You however, were exhibiting racist behavior earlier. I just wanted you to know that you have the option to make sure you don't get negative.

Same thing goes for you, Hal Roach. Rap is music, no matter what you or anyone else thinks. It's also a valid form of expression. And to keep doubting that is approaching an actively negative form of racism.

A racist is not just something you are when you dislike, hate, or insult a person of an alternate race. It's when you refuse to understand them and insult or hate their chosen form of expression. It's the same as saying it's icky or that you of That Alternate race have a reason to fear or be physically disgusted by it. Sound familiar? It should. It's the same thing that fueled the mindset of people who thought women or blacks shouldn't vote, work, and who today say gays shouldn't marry.

When they say "ignorance is bliss," they're talking about people who accept that they're not liking something is not a license to Take it To Task in public forums (aka - sharing ignorance with others = ignorance was meant to be kept private). Especially without some very specific examples of any negative impact of its content.

[MadonnasManOne]

I am not a racist.

I didn't say you were. But you're saying that because you don't want to be known as a racist - this having almost nothing to do with your point of view. You think what you think without a working knowledge of what racism is, or an assumption that it's hard to come by racist feelings because you don't believe you are a racist. You however, were exhibiting racist behavior earlier. I just wanted you to know that you have the option to make sure you don't get negative.

Come on! I'm saying I'm not racist, because I'm not. It's that simple. You can view me, my statements, or my actions however you want, but, I won't have you saying that I was acting racist, or came close to being racist. As far as not having a "working knowledge" of racism, how would you know that? Granted, I'm not black, and I haven't had someone turn me away from a job, not let me eat in their restaurant, etc. because of my skin color. I'm sure you haven't, either. However, as a gay man, who lives in Oklahoma, I sure have had my share of negativity! I know what it's like to be considered a "minority", because of my sexual orientation. It's not racism, granted, because it has nothing to do with skin color, but, it is very close. I'll just say this. You don't know me. You know very little about me. So, please, don't judge me. Because, if you did know me, you would know that I'm far from being racist.

[DDMAN26]

Mostly everthing but gangsta rap and the newer country. I love the older stuff, Cash, Waylon etc.

[HalRoachFan]

Come on! I'm saying I'm not racist, because I'm not. It's that simple. You can view me, my statements, or my actions however you want, but, I won't have you saying that I was acting racist, or came close to being racist. As far as not having a "working knowledge" of racism, how would you know that? Granted, I'm not black, and I haven't had someone turn me away from a job, not let me eat in their restaurant, etc. because of my skin color. I'm sure you haven't, either. However, as a gay man, who lives in Oklahoma, I sure have had my share of negativity! I know what it's like to be considered a "minority", because of my sexual orientation. It's not racism, granted, because it has nothing to do with skin color, but, it is very close. I'll just say this. You don't know me. You know very little about me. So, please, don't judge me. Because, if you did know me, you would know that I'm far from being racist.

Edit out "black" and put in "African American" here instead, just to avoid anymore accusations of being racist.