NationStates Jolt Archive

I dont know how many of you have heard of the term "Urban music" but living in London, I can tell you it gets thrown around the place very much. Basicly its a term applied to various music types, revolving around rap, R&B, garage, hip hop etc. Now I have several things against some of the artists and the ideals and things they promote but that's not what this thread is about. I just think using the word "Urban" like that to make it sound cool is stupid for the following reasons (feal free to add more)

- By its name it implies all other music is "Rural" music

- Not every Urban centre produces this sort of music (In the UK its very much a London and South Eastern idea)

- It implies that the interest level for this music extends no further than the innercities

I've got a country version of the Snoop Dog song "Gin and Juice" recorded by The Gourds. Does that count as urban or country music?

It's a style of music invented in urban areas in the US and, thus, we named it "Urban Music". It's our music and our term. Sorry, but that's the way it goes.

apparently, they need to be associated with "the street" in some way. the music is inspired throught the trials and tribulations of the oppression suffered on the streets.

I just think using the word "Urban" like that to make it sound cool is stupid for the following reasons (feal free to add more)


So you admit that the city is cool and the country is lame?

So you admit that the city is cool and the country is lame?

No, I said to make it "sound" cool. And of course we all know what a wonderfuly reletive term "cool" is.

No, I said to make it "sound" cool. And of course we all know what a wonderfuly reletive term "cool" is.

But, by you saying that you think they do it so they sound cooler, you're admitting that you believe that the city is cooler than the country. Because, by your own relative definition of "cool", calling your genre of music "urban" would make it cooler than if it were not called "urban". I completely agree, for what it's worth. The country sucks. :)

But, by you saying that you think they do it so they sound cooler, you're admitting that you believe that the city is cooler than the country. Because, by your own relative definition of "cool", calling your genre of music "urban" would make it cooler than if it were not called "urban". I completely agree, for what it's worth. The country sucks. :)

*completely agrees with Sdaeriji*

No, I said to make it "sound" cool. And of course we all know what a wonderfuly reletive term "cool" is.
See? It's cool-relativists like you who deny the existence of objective coolness that are a threat to all things bitchin in our society. What's next? Are we going to allow rednecks to marry trekkies?

Even more annoying: RnB. No. It's not. It's pop music, plain and simple. Naming it after rhythm and blues is an insult to a whole feckin' legion of incredible musicians and songwriters.

Hear me roar.

objective coolness: rock n roll
subjective coolness: everything else

But, by you saying that you think they do it so they sound cooler, you're admitting that you believe that the city is cooler than the country. Because, by your own relative definition of "cool", calling your genre of music "urban" would make it cooler than if it were not called "urban". I completely agree, for what it's worth. The country sucks. :)

I personally believe that the country and the city are on equal terms. I prefer the suburbs myself (nice blend) but each to there own. But by saying it makes it sound cooler, I am not saying I think it is cool. Its like people who say that rappers put swearing in their songs to make it sound "cool". They themselves dont think its cool, but those to whom the music is aimed at think it is, and that is what they are describing.

I personally believe that the country and the city are on equal terms. I prefer the suburbs myself (nice blend) but each to there own. But by saying it makes it sound cooler, I am not saying I think it is cool. Its like people who say that rappers put swearing in their songs to make it sound "cool". They themselves dont think its cool, but those to whom the music is aimed at think it is, and that is what they are describing.

Seriously, do you even have a sense of humor?

Seriously, do you even have a sense of humor?

Sarcasim is hard to detect in the vocal vaccum of the forum. I sort of lost my sense of humor for people disagreeing with me after people disagreed with virtually everything I post. Its not a little frustrating.

Seriously, do you even have a sense of humor?

Woops, didn't realise it was sarcasm!

--snip-- Basicly its a term applied to various music types, revolving around rap, R&B, GARAGE , hip hop etc.--snip--

I hate UK Garage. fUcK GarBage, I call it. Speed Garbage is another nice term. If I have to hear another goddamn So Solid Crew track I'll vomit. Its Happy Hardcore for Cokeheads. What it has to do with Garage (as in the NYC scene) is just beyond me.

I think URBAN MUSIC is a weak term, perfect for all the weak music it applies to. The British music press is notorious for coining terms for non-existent musical genres, then forcing everything to conform to those terms. Kind of like "Progressive" especially wehn applied to retards like Tiesto etc. Maybe its because they can't dance to it (even though it is ostensibly Dance Music). Not because of the music mind you. British people just can't dance, by and large. No offense, the truth hurts.

I dont know how many of you have heard of the term "Urban music" but living in London, I can tell you it gets thrown around the place very much. Basicly its a term applied to various music types, revolving around rap, R&B, garage, hip hop etc. Now I have several things against some of the artists and the ideals and things they promote but that's not what this thread is about. I just think using the word "Urban" like that to make it sound cool is stupid for the following reasons (feal free to add more)

- By its name it implies all other music is "Rural" music

- Not every Urban centre produces this sort of music (In the UK its very much a London and South Eastern idea)

- It implies that the interest level for this music extends no further than the innercities Hang on, hang on... it's actually classed as "music"?

:D

Hang on, hang on... it's actually classed as "music"?

:D

I know, I cant understand it either. I had to use that word just so people had the vaguest idea of what I was talking about.

So there must be 3 main categories of music then...

Urban
Scruburban
Suburban
Country

Hang on, hang on... it's actually classed as "music"?

:D

Music is anything that has rythm. (Quoth the music teacher)

Music is anything that has rythm. (Quoth the music teacher)

So poetry is music even if it doesnt have a tune?

So poetry is music even if it doesnt have a tune?

That's right. That's why a drum is considered a "musical" instrument. Poetry is music. As a matter of fact, in the days before they figured out that vibration carried sound, all "poetry" was "sung" in rythm. The voice is man's oldest musical instrument.

"Music" is not a subjective term like "art". All forms of cadence are music ... even Rap.