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While probability suggests some of it must be worthwhile, I just can't be bothered. Rap is the musical progenitor of a generation of cellphone addicted yammering sheep; very little to say said endlessly, while hip hop represents an abysmally devolved and depressing set of priorities. I'm sorry, but machine generated "beats" don't cut it as a form. Both are pathetically provincial and narrow, not the expressions of a great popular culture. Hasn't this stuff been around forever? Jeez, from goths to rappers, is American popular culture in need of new blood or what?

There is too much music I relate to for me to bother with genres that seem uninteresting, which has been my experience with rap and other recent movements in the urban and dance niches.

Yes, I love rap music, but 90% of recent rap is shit! Like vinyl, it can be a hidden hard-to-find treasure. I wish these rappers were all broke again, so they could make music instead of this money, sex, and bling crap!

Used to listen to a lot more, when the stuff was "bad" and better...

Only when part of a movie or TV soundtrack. If well recorded, my Revel Ultima Sub30 then wreaks havoc with my architecture.

I'm one of those individuals who thinks the phrase hip-hop music is an oxymoron.

Over the course of about six weeks last year I spent some time with A Priority Records box set called The Hip Hop Box, which focused primarily on the early years of the style. The (high) level of invention and creative energy on display was typical of new genres. My experience has been that the very best of any genre (almost) is worth one's time, particularly those that have had a large impact.

Annoys me.

Absolutely, yes. I, a middle-aged white guy in Dallas, probably have one of the largest and finest collections of Gen 1 rap music (on 12" vinyl) in private hands. I made mix cd's for a couple of my younger compadres this fall and they were really surprised that rap didn't begin with Fresh Prince. Chuck D is a genius, by any measure. I like JZ and 808 'n' Heartbreak is good work, though not up to the White Album-level hype and way over reliant on that vocal effect. What music can best Grandmaster Flash, early Africa Bambaata, or Kurtis Blow for relevance to its time and place? For those who see no range in the music, try The Fearless Four "Problems of the World" back to back with De La Soul "A Roller Skating Jam Named 'Saturdays'" to see the reality. The social tragectory traced in rap music is best expressed in David Allen Grier's question on Chocolate News when he wondered how we got from "White lines, Don't do it" to "Wait 'til you see my dick." Right now, the Classic Records version of Beth Orton's Central Reservation is spinning under the stylus and the rhythmic influences of rap music can be heard in spots. How could you not listen to rap? To me would be like not wearing cotton shirts, not liking puppies, or not enjoying a spring day. Sure, personal preference is valid but one can only be so wrong and still claim to be right.

Only on rare occasions. I feel that rap has little to offer, musically speaking. (Hey! That might be a pun!)

I don't understand what this question has to do with being an audiophile. Music is art, and I listen to all types—classical to rap

It's not music.

Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but the rap and hip-hop I listen to tend to come from an earlier generation of artists; Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, Cypress Hill, The Roots, Nas, etc. Some of the newer artists just don't do it for me, not sure why. Unlike most people, I don't think sampling in and of itself is a crime; as long as you have permission, of course. Sampling whole phrases doesn't appeal much to me. I tend to prefer when a short blast or flurry is sampled and played back synchopated, not on the "one", for example. As for sound quality, it is what it is. Just like any album of any genre, I want to hear what the engineer or artist heard during the making of the album. If it's intended to sound lo-fi, then so be it. And just an added comment, I'd love to know what some vinyl fans here think of what hip-hop DJ's, or "turntablists" do with their equipment. Makes you weak in the knees, huh. Don't worry, no tables were harmed in the making of this music. These tables aren't necessarily designed for audio purity, mostly for vinyl manipulation. And as for those that will undoubtedly claim that this isn't music... isn't that what your parents said of rock'n roll, or your grandparents of jazz? You may not like it, and that's fine, but don't dismiss it just because you don't like it. Now you just sound like your parents.

My equipment is too expensive to poison it with such junk.

Never listen to rap—that "music" really drives me crazy!

rock, pop, blues & contemporary too. Thank you for providing high quality recordings.

Music?

In the car!

I've never bought a rap or hip-hop recording. It is impossible to not hear it on a daily basis. It is drivel pure and simple. It all sounds the same: bad.

While I think most of it is atrocious and shouldn't even be labeled "music," I must admit I can't resist Notorious B.I.G.

As soon as I detect that it is either misogynistic or meant to incite or glorify violence, it's off the air!

It is not music. I have heard it "by accident" only.

The worst thing to happen to popular music, ever. How many inner city youths pick up instruments and learn to play in this age, where a good chunk of their role models espouse handguns and fast money instead of hard work? Not musical, morally bankrupt, contributing to the ruination of a lost generation of disadvantaged youth who deserve better. P.S. I'm a corrections officer, so I see the fallout of this every day.

Run DMC in a lossless format is hard to beat (pardon the pun). Very lively, less boring than close-miked recording.

Absolutely hate the crap.

Not music.

Not so much pre '94 or so, drum machines before groove templates were horrible. As with any dick-swingin' music, I like 3% or so and hate the other 97%.

Wu-Tang/RZA/Dr. Dre, etc. Incredible productions.

Less than pop, but more than country. All of these less than classical, jazz, and bluegrass!

Good God—what a silly question! We are well beyond the age when "genre" mattered. there is some truly great rap and hip-hop out there. "Illmatic" by NAS is a timeless classic for once and I give it a spin quite often.