Originally posted by JB1: because the negative is all that is really being promoted in the mainstream which is what most peole hear about as is the case with any genre. i openly admit there are a few people who are not doing that but they are currently the exception rather than the rule. look at the current big time all stars of rap, snoop et al. mind you, i did at one time listen to it so i am not just speaking with no expereince what so ever. that experience was born out of a need/desire to get over a girl as quickly as possible so music with a positive message was out. in its place was power 106 and 100.3 the beat here in la/oc.
hotblack98 names some good artists that meet your criteria. your view on rap is based on a very limited scope. it is such a huge behemoth of a genre that it is almost impossible to know everything about it. gangster rap had it's day, but it really isn't as popular anymore. today's "pop" rap (as i call it) is all about women, clubs, and dancing. now that isn't the best message in the world, but it is a far cry from the days of NWA. and your reference to "all stars of rap" with snoop dogg is acceptable, but again limited. he is an all star without doubt, but even his most recent stuff is about money and jewlery (see: drop it like it's hot). if he had an album like he raised to fame with (doggystyle) he wouldn't be mainstream. i really feel that rappers HAVE to put out songs about money/jewlery/girls to become successful. all of the artists with a true message in their music (common, mos def, talib, etc...) are considered "underground" to the mainstream. that's not to say they don't have a huge following, but it is mostly unheard of to anyone not "into" the rap scene.
