Good essay. I agree with you Rap has been stuck in a stereotype because of talentless MCs. And rock is constantly talking about trivial stuff while rappers talk about things from racism to government. I tried listening to rock and the people known as legends like Elvis stole songs from original rock and blues artists like Ckuck Berry or Muddy Waters.
A few people I suggest are Mos Def, the Roots, RZA, Wu-Tang, Public Enemy and some of TI.

This is just pathetic.

71 percent of all record sales world wide? I highly doubt it. Providing sources that support this claim would help your argument otherwise it's just a baseless claim.

Extensive studies? So you've been to a couple concerts and listened to an extremely small selection of bands and you consider that extensive?

You might want to make sure you know what the words you're using mean before you use them. You can't have anarchy against the government as anarchy would involve a lack of government and you seem to be implying that all rock bands are anarchists when they aren't and there's nothing wrong with them if they are.

Gruesome lyrics that reference ritualistic murder and demonic worship? This proves that you really haven't done extensive research like you claim to. There are tons of bands that cover a wide variety of subjects.

You mention rock having an outsider point of view like it's a bad thing. They're different, so what? People don't have to all be the same and fit in and conform to your views.

Deviate from the norm? So? Being different isn't bad.

Dangerous, highly perverted, alternative lifestyle? Most of it isn't dangerous at all and as I've already said having an alternative lifestyle isn't bad by any means. No one has to conform to anyone's idea of what's right.

Preaching rebellion? Sure there are bands that do but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Why should they openly accept someone else's views and submit to them? Not to mention that they also cover a lot more subjects than just that.

Morbid fascination with the color black and it's signification with death? No. Just no. You can't possibly tell me that you seriously believe this.

Rap is typically associated with the slums and central ghettos? So there aren't any rock bands that come from those areas and have lived hard lives? They're all perfect people who live perfect lives? Rock as a whole has nothing to do with underground occultists, unlike rap there are various types that cover many things and you fail to realize this further proving you've done little if any research.

Near 100 percent of rock groups don't have any members of minority background? Rock is diverse in every way and includes people of various backgrounds. Yet again you prove just how little you know.

In the end this is just a horrible attempt at looking smart by pretending you know what you're talking about while it's horribly obvious that you don't understand what you're talking about.

Uh, wow.

Laughable for so many reasons.

You're totally against the stereotypes of rap, and yet you fall into that same BS that comes up every time some straight-laced right wing jerk wants to denounce rock 'n roll.

Rock a the gritty, grinding, bleeding through your god-damned skin commentary on life, or it's trash.

Like rap can be trash, and the stuff that really makes it into the high-paying markets IS.

Skillet, Papa Roach, Nightwish, Lordi, and yes, the golden oldies. Bruce Springsteen, Gary Glitter, (Rock 'n Roll pt.2!) Kiss... Even Nirvana, who YOU may find a threatening expression of 'a perverted alternate lifestyle' actually underscored a generation's need to fight against what was turning out to be steps backward in society.

Rock in general is about a reason. A reason to breathe, a reason to walk, a reason to fight against everything that society and the people around you decide to throw.

And, trust me, when the ** starts flying, rocking out to 'Whispers in the Dark' or 'It Snows in Hell' is a godsend.

We should never discuss music together. Rap gives me a headache and hip-hop throws me into a rage if listened to for more than about three minutes.

From the examples you listed for rock music, I'd say you had a poor sampleing. Many times I've become depressed or just down and listening to rock and the emotion of the songs always lifts me up.

You are describing your fealings here. I may not agree with them, but these are your oppions, I did like your essay, even though I didn't agree with it.

War of the races? No, I don't think so. Where are you from? Because in my city of 2 million, most of the rock bands are Latino, as are most of the rappers. We have rock and rap in Spanish. As for rock being mostly white, it's true. But most marketed items in the US are white--or black. Your article here does bring to light racial problems--but only that once again, another person only seems to the only colors in the US are black and white. What about the Asians, Latinos, Native Americans, etc? Do we not exist? How is it that we don't even come up in this dialouge?

As for most rap being black and rock being white--this just in--most Tejano music is created by Latinos! Gasp!

As a side note, what do you have to think about Christian Rock, which is what I mostly listen to?

this was okay, but, as you stated yourself, very biased. when trying to write an essay that compares two things, you should try to keep your voice neutral and try to show the pros and cons of both genres, not just the pros of one and the cons of another.

also, where you state that you were esentially raised on rap/hip-hop only ends up discrediting you. of course you would prefer rap/hip-hop if you raised on it, just as another would prefer rock if that's what they were raised on. try to keep comments that show inexperience on a personal level with what you argue against out of your paper next time.

also, when you said that rap/hip-hop is not as many stereotypically believe it to be, you discreditied yourself again by turning around and over generalizing rock. there are many beautiful rock songs out there that are not based on anarchy and demon-worship. take the song that Bono [U2] dedicated to his late father: 'you can't make it on your own.' it's not very anarchist or pentogram-obsessed.

and you clearly did not consider all the various sub-genres of rock out there, instead simply massing them all into one large, ear-drum pounding, revolt starting group. Eric Clapton's work is a form of rock and never once have i heard him scream at his fans to pick up a pitchfork, pledge themselves to satan and go overthrow their local form of government.

it was a good try, though it needs a little cleaning up.

What about rock that has no lyrics? You can't have rap without lyrics, so what about rock without it? Are you unsatisfied with rock without lyrics as well?

And what about the 80's bands like Spandeau Ballet and Culture Club? They don't discuss demonic worship.

You tend to make alot of friends don't you? ^^ But I actually didn't mind this essay at all. At least you come out and stated your opinion on what you felt was the better genre based on your own experiences. But please keep in mind about your "extensive research" that you shouldn't buy into it. I've gone to so many music review websites, scientific study (strange i know..) sites, and human society study websites that go over the pros and cons of all the different types of music. The only thing i found them good for was breaking down the different types of music. Because as I'm sure you know, rap has different elements to it and depending on the artist the message, and the time it was produced, it can be give its own lable as to the type of rap it is. Because Tupac and Nas are wonderful artists. But you throw someone like Ja and *personally* i could not throw him and the other two in the same type of rap. To my ear they sounds totally different.

And while i like rap more than hip-hop, (strange once again i know..lol) i like rock, country, R&B, classical, smooth jazz, jazz, and a little bit of latin (plus a few others i can't recall >< ) just about the same. Depends on the mood I'm in and what i can handle at the time. But obviously if you've tried listening to rock (hopefully different types at that like poprock, hardrock, heavymetal, classical, and alternative *cuz they all are different*) and you can't find you like it, then obviously you are going to throw a rap cd on lol

Music is cool like that. You don't have to like all the different types. Personally i can't stand bluegrass lol but either kind gives you a chance to listen to a song that puts into words a situation you have been in or have witnessed. Hence why i think people have made soo many different types! Yay!

But in reply to your lovely review you left me... I know my grammar and structure sucks lol but poetry isn't meant to be perfect. In fact i've already noticed like 6 billion errors in that particular work but eh, i like it like that lol and ** you say?? about which part?? them choosing or that no one can do anything about it?? lol

lada, L.S.

hmm...well, i wasnt sure if i wanted to review this or not, because im completely opposed to your arguments about rock music, but i decided that i would. first off, it seems to me that most of the popular rap that i hear people listen to, and sing is about "Pimps and Ho's" i dunno, i dont listen to rap, but that sure is what it seems like. im sure that there is rap and hip hop out there that does have "emotional references to their families and the fear of not living past a certain age," and its probably pretty good. as for rock...there is some rock music that has "references to ritualistic murder and demonic worship" but saying all rock is like that is like saying that all rap is about "Pimps and Ho's." you might want to listen to Nirvana again, or explore different kinds of rock, because what you're saying about it is...well, way off. you cant just go around saying rock is all about "ritualistic murder and demonic worship." this was a really interesting piece to read, even if i strongly disagree with it. it was interesting to see how a rap and hip hop fan sees rock. nice work i suppose, but honestly, i think you're just asking for flames. it was really difficult not to rant at you. hehe. ^_^

AHahahahaHahaha... *wipes tears* this made me laugh so hard! I have to say thank you for filling this with **... I havent had a good laugh in a while.

Just tell me this... how much "extensive" research have you done on the rock subject, REALLY? Cause to me it sounds like you've done squat. nada. neit. rien.

Why do you base your opinions on one or two rock bands, if you want your opinion to be generalized, accurate, or realistic you have to listen to more then just Nirvana or Pantera. Geeze.

"... an interesting point of view"

yeah for a complete ignoramus, which, im truly saddened (not) to say that you have eanred this title.

your truly,really_bad_egg

Oh wow. I just left a LONG review of this essay under "Which Three Books." Whatever. Go read it.

I would first like to start off by saying that it is god that you at least mentioned the fact that this essay, or whatever it is, is from a biased point of veiw.

As a peice of writing I found little flaw.

As a controrsverial peice of writing i found a lot of flaw.

When writing something that is not agreed upopn you need to talk to people from both sides and see what it is that they have to say. Trowing yourselves into a rock concert and then claiming that it was abrasive and the lyric pertaining to cult like references is not kewl.

I do know that both rock and rap can have a lot of the same messages in the lyrics as i listen to just about anything. A lot of the rock lyrics however have a more symbolic meaning for the listener to take as they wish. Most of the tiime when you hear something that you may find 'abrasive' someone else sees the symbolism behind the message and takes it to heart.

Also, more of the majority of the lyrics that are created within a rock circle, are simply inside jokes. However there are a lot of 'christian' based rock bands that many of their listeners don't even relize that are a religous based groups, and send out a very good message.

I can't say that much about pantera personally, because they have never been a favorite of mine, but as for nirvana... They are the best. They have songs that relate to just about every thing that we can encounter in our lives.

And one more thing...

Are you human?

I agree that everyone should have their own opinion. You have the right to state yours, but this is clearly biased.

In this essay you have done what we call bashing the other side with the use of bad connotations. Even though this is your opinion, you want to avoid doing this in a good persuasive paper. It gives you less credibility.

Additionally, you have not given us any statistics to back this up. Where are the record sales? Where are the quoted song lyrics? Where are the opinions of others on this subject? Where are the public events and occultist rituals that you have stereotyped with rock?

I listen to rock music, though I am not opposed to some hip hop. I have also witnessed that rock music stretchs over countries and racial borders, not just rap.

You also did not specify the type of rock music, because even though you seem to be speaking of only death metal, you do not talk about the social commentary in punk rock, the personal message of alternative beats/indie, or the "my girlfriend left me" sentiments of emo, which are not the least bit harmful to anyone. Even other metal bands such as Metallica have their rage filled moments, but songs like "Disposable Heros" or "One" or "And Justice for All" give outstanding commentary on war/greed/society in general.

Know your audience. Then write your essay.

okay, number one, where the ** is raekwon when you need him? i need to like drag his ** to this essay and nail his hands to the keyboard. that guy has a true understanding of rap and hip hop.

number two, it's funny how many of your reviewers immediately bring up "guns and **" and are most likely referring to 50 Cent and etc. first off, take a second to listen to artists like Talib Kweli and Common Sense, or better yet go purchase Mos Def's Black On Both Sides album, then tell me if rap is still ALL about "** and guns"

if you still think rap is about money and women, heh, don't worry i've got a whole list of artists that'll kill your argument.

number three, i respect what you're attempting to do in this essay. the thing is that you're taking the wrong approach. in order to clear up the misconceptions about hip hop you'll have to literally list some artists and post their lyrics then go through the lyrics with a fine comb and analyze it word for word. in other words, you'll need to do a lot more.

and for the record, P.Diddy, 50 Cent, and Chingy suck. Eminem is falling off nowadays...and screw this, I'm off to listen to some Rolling Stones...