When rap came out 30 years ago I thought it was just a fad


Now it seems like it dominates the music industry, movies and fashion. My only question is why?

taters
I don't listen to rap, but I'd rather listen to rap before I'd listen to any of the genres below.

Country Music
Bluegrass
Punk
Metal
Glam Rock
Folk Music
Classical
Show Tunes
Hard Rock
Soft Rock

That’s great that no one ever asks for rap music. They are playing it on 5 stations for free all day in most of the markets. It’s all about preferences and exposure. I listen to jazz but I am really knowledgable when it comes to rap. I don’t like all of it but I enjoy some on my system. Most of today’s rap is simplistic and repeats itself. Not enjoyable to those like myself. I was bashed on this forum for knowing the genre up and down and told that I can’t be in the audiophile little boys club. Tastes are different somethings you like and somethings you can’t stand. I just enjoy it all at the highest fidelity possible. Jazz lovers try duke pearsons album "The Right Touch". I’m exiting again don’t want to get punched walking out this debate. Lol.

Calvinj, dont worry because most of the guys who blanket bash music are afraid of how culture and art moves forward. Art always moves forward. Bashers who decide what is good and what is not good simply miss out.

It's well documented that even Mozart was bashed. Its a young persons world and there is nothing the bashers can do about that.

Enjoy and be open to all music. I love new music and look forward to any music in any genre that might connect and touch my heart. Regards Jet.

Jetrexpro-"It's a young persons world". Advertisers and the arts media believe that because the ignorant/young can be easily persuaded in purchasing anything regardless of artistic value. Calvinj-Your obsession with audiophiles not embracing rap-hip/hop is puzzling. IMO 99% of recorded music of ANY genre is not worth ownership. With hip/hop not being a priority with audiophiles means a few great hip-hop recordings will be overlooked. What is more upsetting is Garth Brooks selling 135 million albums in the USA!!!
Man I don't care about audiophiles not liking rap music. I'm glad certain audiophiles don't.  I think it will survive without them maybe. Lol. I'm glad that my musical tastes are all over the place and that I can enjoy just about any genre.  Just enjoy your musical choices. It shouldn't be puzzling. It's pretty simple I'm probably younger and from a different cultural background than most audiophiles. So I will never expect most audiophile to like rap music. I would be foolish if I did. Most of the people coming out of my era don't really care what guys that don't like rap think.  Honestly, most take it as a badge of honor when certain folks don't like it.  I hope you enjoy your music. I'm enjoying mine. Happy listening. No hard feelings.  Don't kill my vibe. Just enjoy your own. 
As one of the rappers likes to say. #stiff arm.  Lol. I'm not obsessed with your acceptance. You are obsessed and puzzled about why rap is so successful.  Don't try to pull that controlling the narrative crap with me.  Lol #stiff arm. Man go ahead and send me one of those really thought out anti rap responses and then tell me how bad I look in my responses. I don't give a rat's *** what most of the rap bashers think I listen to My hip hop, jazz, r&b and blues and smile.  I'm never going to meet you guys. If I did we probably wouldn't have much in common. We probably would never hang out. I own my own business. I have a law degree. A radio show and some really great audio equipment and music I enjoy. I listen for me not anyone else. I love America. USA USA USA. 

Continue to bash bash bash. I enjoy it. I'm not going to back down  from the bully I stand up to the bully unlike some people in our country and this hobby/obsession.
I'm watching the Hamilton musical rap freestyle at the White House on the Today Show right now! Enjoyed it!
Calvinj-First of all i’m not bashing hip-hop music, put down the anger pills and listen. My point was 99% of ALL recorded music does not meet my standards regardless of genre. IMO hip-hop has a much smaller sample of recordings that meet my standards then jazz-classical-classic rock-blues-folk ect...Since I grew up with 80’s metal and what they now call "classic alternative" my biases are skewed(with that genre(s)) which does lower your standards. From reading your posts hip-hop was the music you grew up with thus your more "forgiving" with the quality of that genre which is understandable. FWIW I really enjoy the beats of J Dilla and currently trying to track down "The Herman Gardens Project"-D. Focis/J. Dilla.
I will take a chill pill.  The fact the you have respect for j Dilla is enough to make me apologize.  He had one of the largest most diverse vinyl collections when he passed away.  He is one of the rap guys that had great respect for soul r&b, jazz, rock and blues.  The stuff he had in his collection was flat out unbelievable. It was in a huge basement studio with vinyl from floor to ceiling circling around the walls.  Great rap producer and music lover. I must admit you surprised me with that one.  Enjoy your music. Thanks. 

By the way.  Lol. I still don't care what the rap bashers think. Lol #stiff arm