Before we can discuss whether or not opera and rap alianate listeners in a similar manor, we must first compare and contrast rap and opera.
Rap-
-Originated in the Bronx in the 1970s
-Spread to minority populations through the US
-Embraced by street gangs
-Rap is the combination of rhyme and poetry to a musical beat
-It has a background in improvisational poetry
-Focuses on the “here-and-now,” discussing issues such as popular culture and politics
-Often degrades women
-The culture of rap music is focused on poetry and quality of lyrics
-Discusses racial issues
-Listeners generally tend to be younger, living in poverty, less educated
-Audiences are allowd to be loud and energetic
-Originated in the Bronx in the 1970s
-Spread to minority populations through the US
-Embraced by street gangs
-Rap is the combination of rhyme and poetry to a musical beat
-It has a background in improvisational poetry
-Focuses on the “here-and-now,” discussing issues such as popular culture and politics
-Often degrades women
-The culture of rap music is focused on poetry and quality of lyrics
-Discusses racial issues
-Listeners generally tend to be younger, living in poverty, less educated
-Audiences are allowd to be loud and energetic
Opera-
- Originated in Florence Italy in the early 1600′s (1598)
-An art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score
- Usually done in a theatrical setting
-Listeners generally tend to be wealthier, older, and well educated
-Tells a story, usually dealing with love and tragedy
-Audiences are expected to be quiet and reflective listeners
-Dated
- Originated in Florence Italy in the early 1600′s (1598)
-An art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score
- Usually done in a theatrical setting
-Listeners generally tend to be wealthier, older, and well educated
-Tells a story, usually dealing with love and tragedy
-Audiences are expected to be quiet and reflective listeners
-Dated
Similarities-
-Difficult to understand (Rap-lyics are usially very fast and hard to hear/follow)
(Opera- usually is in a foreign language (to the american listener) and text is often embellished.
-Strongly disliked by certain audiences
-Though of as being music for a certain audience
-Difficult to understand (Rap-lyics are usially very fast and hard to hear/follow)
(Opera- usually is in a foreign language (to the american listener) and text is often embellished.
-Strongly disliked by certain audiences
-Though of as being music for a certain audience
From comparing and contrasting these two musical genres it is evident that the two forms are very different. That is except three main similarities, they are difficult for listeners to understand, they are thought of as being music for a certain group of people (Rich-vs-Poor), and they are both strongly disliked by certain audiences. What I mean by strongly disliked by certain audiences is that people who don’t like one of these genres often strongly dislikes it, to the extent of refusing to recognize it as music. Few people have a strong dislike for jazz or rock. People either like it or don’t really care for it, but there is no doubting it’s legitimacy as a musical form. Now it is easy to understand why rap consumers don’t generally like opera, and vis vera. The genres target two totally different audiances. They have two very different messages, purposes, and lifestyles that go along with them. But why do people who don’t listen to either music dislike both? Well because they are difficult to understand. Rap is often very fast paced and hard to follow. Master lyricists like Eminem fly through pages of lyrics in each song. In Eminem’s “Rap God”, he raps though 6,077 words in just 6 mins and 5 seconds. (He did this with no breaks and by memory live on the Youtube awards last month) Thats 97 words each 15 seconds which means he’s averaging 6.5 words per second. Plus he’s using large words, and complex rhythms which makes it even harder for people to follow what he is saying. Opera is hard for most Americans to understand because it’s usually in another language. Plus, the performers often embellish their parts making it even more difficult to follow. The story lines and music are often out dated and lengthy. Consumers many times don’t have the discipline to sit and listen to an opera at home. Ultimately, the reason why both opera and rap alienate listeners in the same way is because they are thought of as a being a genre for a certain audience (not for all consumers), and because the text/ lyrics are often difficult to follow and understand.
