yea I'm strongly aginst the "gangsta thug culture" especialy the stuff that glorifies violence and money. Its just such an easy medium for big corperations to work thier magic with.
I'm no expert on why people like rap or hiphop, but I'm pretty sure most of it has to do with the message or topic the rapper is trying to get across, something that the listener can relate to. I realy doubt the avid rap/hiphop fan is listening to the stuff for the beat or melody. I'm also very aware alot of ppl out there listen to the stuff just for the ridiculously loud base that makes thier car vibrate (as to draw attention to themselves)
musical composition means little to none to them, at that point its just about (bass)'s physical vibration. who cares whats played or sung then.
on the opposite note, why must anything "good" be from america. Thiers plenty of awesome bands and music out there from other countries. I mean do you realy have to understand the lyrics to like a song? or does something have to have singing in it for you to enjoy it? does everything have to have jimi hendrix or led zepplin's name / lable of approval on it to be worthy of listening to?