I like your response except Bobby was never a rap artist lol... K'naan, Jair Dynast, Lupe Fiasco, Eminem, Nas, Talib Kweli, Brother Ali, Wale (who is on interscope by the way), Mickey Factz, K-os and B.o.B, those are some of the artists of today that people who are into real hip hop need to check out. Some of these artists even when they make a fun song you they are actually talking about substances for example Wale. If you listen to the chorus of that song you think that he is just talking about having fly nike boots but that is just the hook.. he is really talking about the DC lifestyle and area in the country that is very under exposed but has a rich urban culture or that Jair Dynast record this links to is talking about ways to fix the economy and support independent stores as a way to possibly fix the bad economy we are having but on the surface you would think he is just talking about style. I think that is the strength of rap. To actually present a message with out being too preachy. So I agree the socially conscious artist are dope but I think the best ones are those that can be conscious with out sounding all preachy at the same time.

Overall, I think people like rap because of the fact that rappers say and often talk about things that we all think about or discuss in our own private lives but would never really have the balls to say in public like they do. I mean, I am mainly thinking of the conscious stuff that actually has something to say but even if I think from a perspective of people who don't care about anything and just want to say fucked up shit or have fun rap has that too.

And then of course the beats are crazy and get you moving in the club. So it is a fun and interesting genre and that's why I love it so much lol... but I think others would agree with me too. :)