Same thing can apply.

wow, what a great discussion. thanks guys.

I would say ignorant in terms of content. Its the lowest common denominator in rap to talk about guns, drugs and sex. ignorant to other themes. As in there is more to life than violence, drugs and sex.

But rock music explores way more themes than rap does. Even popular rock songs by big bands like U2 or Metallica delve into different parts of the human experience. Most popular rap just doesn't. Its a fact

Simply put, the consumer wants what the consumer wants. The themes in mainstream rap sell much like love songs sell in mainstream pop.

Also, a lot of rappers and people who enjoy hip hop come from environments where guns, sex and drugs are prevalent and in some case coveted. Rap has always been very much about just talking about what you see, hear and feel. Everyone's human experience is different, and rap began and has always focused on life in the inner city, the poor inner city specifically.

Look at the common themes in country music. Love, 4x4 trucks, whiskey and hunting or fishing. It's roots and the majorty of it's fanbase is typically from the rural south. The music mirrors the audience in most cases.

There are, however, many exceptions to the rule. Hip Hop delves into many more topics than you seem to be giving it credit for. And even when it doesn't there are a lot of artists who have very deep and unique perspectives on sex, drugs, guns, gangs, poverty, and all the emotions that go along with experiencing those things.

Your kidding yourself if you think the mainstream isn't similar in other genres. The mainstream music of every genre reflects what the cultures associated with them enjoy.

Country talks about tractors and country life.
Rock talks about girls, sex, and love (at least that's what use to be mainstream)
And so on. The genres are designed, written, and formed as to what the people in those areas reflect upon lifestyle wise.

No, it's not a fact. the same thing can be applied to both genres in the same way. You are choosing to use a filter when you believe that most popular rap doesn't touch on other topics.

Most popular rock songs touch on the similar themes that are repeated over and over again that's what makes them popular.

Popular music in general—whether it's rock or rap or anything else—is pretty trite.

A few big problems with your reasoning:

* Choosing to focus on particular subject matter doesn't imply that one isn't familiar with other subject matter.

* No matter what or how many other things you write lyrics about, there's more to life than that. So that criticism goes for everything.

* You're apparently operating with a supposition that lyrics are supposed to capture some particular cross-section of life experiences. What's the support for the idea that that's what lyrics are supposed to be doing?

I'm also guessing that maybe you're some sort of value objectivist. Value objectivism is factually errant.

i dont really know what a Value objectivist is. Can you elaborate? sounds interesting.

I think you make some good points. They dont really apply to me but that are good valid points.

I was just pointing out that the most "popular" type of rap tends to has the same themes. This is just a fact. "I'm in love with the Coco", "Flick of the wrist" to name a couple of big hits of the last few years. Pretty much all of rick ross music is about when he apparently used to sell drugs. Wiz Khalifa is a bit more diverse but talks a lot about Marujana(sorry my spelling is bad). The list is endless really.

Maybe, ignorant is the wrong term. Maybe Popular rap is the most Shallow genre of music which reflects mainstream society, which is pretty shallow in itself.

great points though my friend, even if they went over my head slightly. I dnt know some of the terms you are using so maybe you can explain them to me?

Cheers