[John]

Do many blacks listen to white rap music? Not to say there are many white rappers out there. And why do many black people seem to always be mumbling rap music to themselves? Also, why do some blacks say, ‘You know what I’m saying’ so much? Is that their gang talk or what?

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Name : John, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 21, City : Evansville, State : IN, Country : United States, Occupation : youth counselor, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[AAA]

‘You know what I’m saying’ is not gang talk. It’s just a speech pattern that some people have, like some who use the word ‘umm’ when speaking.

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Name : AAA, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, City : Columbus, State : OH, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 

[JShawn]

Not that all blacks think alike. but…

We listen to what sounds good. It doesn’t matter if the ‘rapper’ is black or white. Those who listen to rap may recite the lyrics to themselves the same way a ‘white person’ may sing the latest Aerosmith tune to themselves while walking down the street.

‘You know what I’m sayin’ is not gang talk. It is just a phrase used by people – lots of them, not only blacks … you know what I’m sayin’!

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[Marco22204]

To answer your first question, we listen to whoever sounds cool. I didn’t like Eminem at first, but he has flow in his rhymes. As you pointed out, there aren’t many white rappers around, but the few who have come around, my friends and I have liked, like 3rd Bass, House Of Pain, MC Serch – I even like Eminem. The only white rapper I’ve never liked, and will never like, is Vanilla Ice.

We don’t mumble rap music to ourselves, that’s not a statement that represents everyone who listens to rap. If I’ll do anything while listening, I’ll nod to the beat if it’s good. I don’t see many people here mumbling rap music to themselves.

‘You know what I’m saying’ is not gang talk, that’s merely street slang; it’s like saying ‘you know what I mean?’ That’s not necessarily gang talk, although I’m sure that people in gangs may talk like that.

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[Larry22955]

Why do you differentiate between ‘white’ and ‘black’ rap music? Do you really think there is a difference? When white people say ‘like,’ is that their ‘gang talk’?

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Name : Larry22955, Gender : M, City : Bethesda, State : MD, Country : United States, 

[Rick29950]

To say that a phrase must be gang talk just because it’s used by blacks is a racist assumption. ‘Know what I’m sayin?’ is just one of many annoying hackneyed phrases (like ‘y’know?’) used by inarticulate people of all ethnicities.

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[justin26880]

i wouldn’t bother responding to the ‘is that their gang talk’ comment. he’s obviously just trying to bait black posters. i, however have a rather topical post i would like to get a reponse to if anybody is so inclined. see ‘GUNS AND RACE’.

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[Kristian M.]

Actually, in Europe there are a lot of rappers who are white. I think music, at least here, transcends any race matters. I can’t think of a style that hasn’t been done just because it might be associated with some culture or race.

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[KC-Tate26530]

Rick, I’ve been part of Y? Forum for nearly a year, and I must tell you I always look forward to viewing your responses. They’re rational, unbiased and to the point. Sincerely, K.C. Tate.

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[Lisa22815]

First, music is supposed to be universal. Music has no boundaries. It can be felt by anyone who chooses to hear it, and that’s what most artists want: to be heard. I love music – all types, styles and genres. When I hear a song on the radio, I consider the beat/instruments, the meaning and the person’s vocal talent – race or ethnicity is never a thought. Music is not segregated nor meant to be. People segregate the music.

As for the mumbling of rap lyrics, what? You mean to tell me you’ve never seen an older lady humming Rod Stewart or Barbara Mandrell in the grocery store? Or better yet, have you ever had a song stuck in your head and you catch yourself singing bits and pieces of it?

Lastly, ‘You know what I’m saying’ is a speech pattern not limited to the vocabularies of black people, let alone gangsters. It’s similar to the Valley Girls of California (and everywhere else) who say ‘like’ after every third word, or Midwestern guys who say ‘or what?’ after posing a question. I won’t try understanding why you relate such a simple phrase to gangster lingo…

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[N. Chambers]

‘You know what I’m sayin’ isn’t gang talk, it is used more as a pause in speech, or a slang way of asking if the person spoken to comprehends what is said. As far mumbling rap is concerned, it the same as anyone else humming a tune … it just happens to be more noticable and vexing to those who don’t like, listen to or comprehend it.

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[J.N.]

You’re being reactionary. The original message was referring specifically to white, as in Caucasian, rappers: MC Serch, Eminem, Snow, etc. Yes, of course there’s a difference: they aren’t black people.

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[kiara]

dont hate cause im black and we dont listen to that corny stuff of white people you know what im saying

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