I (like everyone else it seems) don't mind listening to REAL hip-hop (Sugar Hill Gang, 2 Live Crew, Run DMC, NWA and the likes) but NOT manufactured 'Hip-Pop'
Did 50 Pence

, Lloyd Banks, Dizzee Rascal, Twista etc..... grow-up in the days when young men had little to do?
Do Beyonce or J-Lo really have it as bad as they make out?
Do any of those actually sing/rap about real sh*t? RARELY
Did NWA, Run DMC etc..... tell it like it was? REGULARLY
While I was cyber-surfing today, I looked around and found that VERY FEW of todays 'Hip-Pop' artists acknowledge the grand-daddies of the genre.
I agree with Craig on the Metallica issue, I'm one of those who get labelled as 'not real fans' because I wasn't there when they started in '83 - I'm like : Damn! gimme a break dude, I wasn't even born then!
And even listening to 'Metal' since I was 3 is 'hardcore' enough for some!
The problem is, ALL music becomes TOO commercial.
Who remembers the great (or not so great) years of groups like Europe, Spandau Ballet etc...?
Good(ish)

music and not a single piece of 'Bling' in sight.
TALENTED artist + good song + simple video = HIT
Nowadays :
Some guy who raps fast + guns + drugs + half naked women + fast cars + bling + big name producer (Dre) = MEGAHIT
WHY? ? ?

I guess I'll never understand 'new' music

Cheers,
Carl out.....