It's hard to explain.
First, they've been around awhile.
Which is far more than you can say about today's rappers, who often fade away after one big hit.
Jurassic 5 is still around making music long after the one hit wonders of last year have been forgotten.

Their beat is far more engaging than anything I have heard lately.
They aren't nearly as repetitive as today's rappers.
Other rap songs are just plain boring, I think that's the problem.
Jurassic 5 actually seems to use words in their songs, rather than just some corny phrase repeated over and over again.

The way their words seem to flow together, and the way that several people can rap together, just reminds me of old school material.

I can't group Jurassic 5 with today's artists because I feel that they are better than that. Their songs seem to have a certain originality to them, and I actually enjoy to listen to them.

That's why I rank Jurassic 5 up there with the elite group of rappers and hip-hop artist that I deem true musicians.

MF Doom

Guess that's why I prefer the originators of HipHop more: the DJs

Some nice entries made here so far, regardless if they're ridiculously off-topic.

I'm not going to tire myself out and debate my views as if this were an episode of Charlie Rose.....so, I'll throw this in. This is a (ramblin-ass) letter I sent to EGM a month or two ago in regards to their article about video game maturity. I'm re-reading some of it right now....some of my views I made, well, I have a different outlook on them now. Anyway, I think the subject matter is slightly inclinded with the discussions going on here.

Make of it what you will:

Spoiler, click to toggle visibilty

Dear EGM:

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I’m sure the responses you get everyday are overwhelming. Let me get right to the point: this letter is in response to the Can’t Touch This article. While there were some good points made about the ass-backwards AO rating the ESRB puts out I particularly want to stress what David Jaffe had to say in terms of creativity restraints in game design:

“…most of the stuff that we say is for adults is simply bloody and sexual – and I’m guilty of this more than most…the idea that the AO rating is keeping deep, meaningful, adult games out of the marketplace is bulls***.”

Video games that are classified as “mature” and “adult” always consist of a horrendous amount of disproportioned T&A from Japanese and White-American women, gratuitous violence and gore, and last but not least, a mediocre storyline to guide it. None of this is new but let’s face the facts: the gaming industry is just like any other business. The suits are going to do what they feel is right for the business to profit and prosper. This is a big plus for the misogynistic, action-hungry, or just plain lazy I-don’t-give-a-crap developers; if the game bleeds, bounces, and, in some cases, interprets its own story with a butt-load of Japanese mythology and alliteration, it sells…

…it sells because we buy them. So, if someone wanted to play the blame game of why we don’t have authentic “mature/adult” games, the fingers should be pointed at the developers as well as the consumers. It’s kinda like buying a hamburger at McDonald’s. No one is forcing you to do it, but if you want to change up your diet and be healthier, stop giving in to a company that constantly offers a product that you know isn’t good for you and go to the farmer’s market.

What I’m trying to say is if “mature” figureheads and spectators want a “mature” game, then we need to stop bullshitting ourselves. The aspect of audio & visual has been more than achieved - we should be at an age where the only thing to anticipate more is A.I. and storytelling. Just remember: the more we bullshit ourselves on this matter, the longer the constant blaming of game designers creating violent & smutty games that have parents up in arms because they’re not willing to admit their impressionable, psychotic-ass kids doing very bad things to others because of the games they play are just that: impressionable, but more so crazy.

So, I have to ask: when the gamers of America unite to try and stop politicians from infringing on our constitutional rights and introducing state legislation that will enable high-priced fines (and possibly imprison) game retailers from selling video games with “mature/adult’ content to minors, uphold restrictions so that minors lose the right to buy games with “mature/adult” content, possibly find a way to warrant the action of families enlisting lawsuits for and keeping overall freedom of expression in video games untapped from the government, ask yourself this: are you trying to protect the freedom of just gratuity and conformity in games, or are you also going to protest game designers for half-assing their failed attempts at creating real “mature/adult” games until they stop bullshitting and just do it? Are you going to protest game designers for not fighting the fight they should be fighting on freedom of expression in their explicit games when the ESA has to constantly hold everyone’s hand (it’s no wonder why Doug Lowenstein left)? It’s better to take a chance in creating something that defines the term “innovative’ and since if it blossoms than to just cop out (Take-Two’s GTAIII was a big risk and look where the franchise is now).

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not an antagonist of games like GTA San Andreas (lord knows it’s therapeutic after a long day at work) but I’m just sick and tired of “those” games being labeled as “mature/adult.” It’s because of that reason why the AO rating is the kiss of death for video games: what we seem to deem adult is nothing more than a digital splatterhouse of chaos. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll get to play a game that’s as fun as Super Mario Bros. 3, with a story and setting that’s more riveting than Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance or Crash …without the cop-out of actually hiring Hollywood screenwriters though.

Sincerely,
XXXXX XXXXX [Edited for identity protection….the guild has werewolves in it.]

the_mith said, January 17, 2008, 06:33:51 pm

Of course they are, black people (or "african americans" if you'd prefer)

ifind it funny how some people talk aobut minorities as if the usa is the whole world.. sheshh chinesse sure are a minority, i mean china has such a small population.

Their beat is far more engaging than anything I have heard lately.
They aren't nearly as repetitive as today's rappers.
Other rap songs are just plain boring, I think that's the problem.
Jurassic 5 actually seems to use words in their songs, rather than just some corny phrase repeated over and over again.

courte2 said, January 17, 2008, 04:23:02 am

Tee Hee Hee said, January 17, 2008, 03:50:17 am

SDS Overfiend said, January 17, 2008, 02:56:13 am

And this.
go to 5:00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjRv7pxVtI0
Its paying homage to the killer its hilarious.

I watched that whole thing and from that first scene I became annoyed.
The BoonDcks has this MAJOR problem:
- They hold the joke for way too long and make it old in a matter of seconds. Really, how long am I supposed to laugh at a black kid saying, "N*gga, N*gga, Bitch N*gga, Fuck You N*gga, N*gga, N*gga, N*gga."?? 0:10-1:18 Come On . There was not a single line in that overly drawn out scene that held any worth to my funny meter; I'm sorry, but I just can't stand the show.

Spoiler, click to toggle visibilty

this would normally be the part where i say it's just a show, but i'd be lying as i do look at it through two perspectives... being no fan of that particular word, i find it funny how he is so easily able to throw it out there and, to me at least, make a joke of it--equivalent to valley girls starting the trend of "like" as an interjection for every other word in a sentence.
on the other hand, if such a thing were to happen, it would be beyond uncomfortable. It's uncomfortable now, having diverse friends who all enjoy the show equally, yet wonder if quoting it is taking things to far. The word does have a history which cannot be denied. no one would be openly happy about a show with a blond german dude and a greedy jewish man who are roomates yet constantly call each other Kike and Nazi...
...it's still just a show; made to primarily entertain some, even if it means offending others. With the wide array of other shows on, the powers that be always allow the option to change the channel, but someone always complain.

Just a question:
Ignoring the history of that word, do you think that in watching that scene, the joke gets draggeed/drawm out too far? Do you get bored of the repetitions, upon repetitions, upon repetitions??

SDS Overfiend said, January 17, 2008, 02:56:13 am

Rap is only one of the Art forms to Hip Hop. If somebody thinks hip hop is miseducating kids the you have another coming. If anything ITs one of the Last Avenues that can be use to actually reach the kids. Thank the Industry Big Wigs who only allow the trash you hear on the radio that make you think something is wrong with the art form. Right now if 50 Cents eat your Carrots and you can Flow like me and be strong what you think most kids and some idiotic grown ups with do?

Couldn't make sense out of the last part of that, but are you kidding me? Hip Hop is okay. Anything is okay. Just give substance!
Substance I say!

Tee Hee Hee said, January 17, 2008, 03:50:17 am

Spoiler, click to toggle visibilty

aeom said, January 17, 2008, 01:44:16 am

Tee Hee Hee said, January 17, 2008, 12:21:13 am

This to me a a major exaggeration. First of all, people have to make a conscious decision to buy into the RAP Industry. Without people, FROM THE START, buying into it, Rap, in any form, would have died a long while back. Second of all, a person can listen to "rap" and still be able to speak the language properly. Besides, realistically, isn't it where you learn the language that you learn how to speak it. A person from the Caribbean(any island) is probably going to speak with terms unfamiliar to an American, and Rap is probably uninvolved in that. As a matter of fact, in America itself, most Suburbanite Peoples hold the "Proper English," whereas in Inner City schools, it is reported that even their teachers may not even have a grasp on the 'true' language.
Funny thing is though, I've never met a person, of any age, who talks like they Rap [relating to killing language]. I have, however, met people who lack a censor, possibly because of Rap.
If Rap is ever to blame for killing a person's complete language, I'd have to say its their own fault; but sadly I don't believe in that in the first place.
Tell me (using cold hard facts rather than unsupportable opinion), how is Rap responsible for killing a person's language because I'm skeptical??

major exaggeration? definitely not.  No they don't HAVE to buy into it. Peer pressure, don't underestimate it among children...
and im not saying that it's not there own fault. it is, and im not saying ALL rap is bad, as i said somewhere in my hodge podge of replies, now, you say you want cold hard facts?  Next post, im a little too bored to write any more:P

First, you have to "give in" to peer pressure and that is indeed a choice. Second, I call it an exaggeration because what you said just seemed like an opinion, rather than something that truly linked Rap to the decline in our language. When you feel like it, please substantiate your claim with something I can grab on to [not meant to be in a condescending tone].

I apologize, I was a little tired, and didn't feel like writing a great deal. But, it is not just opinion. If you cannot see what is being glorified in rap, and the fact that most teenagers, peer pressure or not, take a liking to that genre,  and what it could do. The fact is, that there is slang.  Slang is direct decline from language, and when I say slang, I do not mean idioms and expressions and what-not, I mean things like saying "sup" or "yo" ad nauseum, not that there's anything wrong with those two specifically, I just could not think of any other words at the moment. The idea is cutting down the content, expressing your mind with as little effort as possible.

Also, to your comment about how the people you know are fine, they just do not have censors.

Now imagine...wait, i'm changing my example, since we are discussing this in something or other that is linked to minorities:
The "N" word. If you notice carefully, like that video the SDS... guy posted, you yourself said it was repeated, with explicitives surrounding each sentence.

Now, If the N word is eventually considered acceptable, won't all bigotry, if expressed by the race of origin in question, also be, for lack of a better word, "unbigotry"? If you'll notice, not just the african american rappers use the N word. It's become a way of identifying a friend, or comrade. At one time it was considered demeaning.  Making a joke of bigotry is one thing, but glorifying it is a whole other matter.

Spiked Liaison said, January 17, 2008, 06:58:21 pm

R[E]ika said, January 17, 2008, 06:49:46 pm

china has such a small population.

.........SINCE WHEN?

maybe, in the U.S they are minorities...but I think China has one of the biggest total populations over all(1/6th of the total??)...right up there with India...and whatever the third country was:)

ifind it funny how some people talk aobut minorities as if the usa is the whole world.. sheshh chinesse sure are a minority, i mean china has such a small population.

the_mith said, January 17, 2008, 06:33:51 pm

Of course they are, black people (or "african americans" if you'd prefer)

@ the_mith link
BACK UP.
This si a joke right? If it isn't, please re-read the thread. And if you're British, that goes doubly for you. 

Spoiler, click to toggle visibilty

Tee Hee Hee said, January 17, 2008, 10:29:09 pm

the_mith said, January 17, 2008, 06:33:51 pm

Of course they are, black people (or "african americans" if you'd prefer)

@ the_mith link
BACK UP.
This si a joke right? If it isn't, please re-read the thread. And if you're British, that goes doubly for you. 

Erm I'm a little confused here, did I say something wrong??  not that it matters but im british-asian, and this topic is about if games portray "african americans" in a negative way (i.e. their portraits are generally ugly). Firstly i don't use the term african american when describing all black people because are a small percentage of all black people. My skin colour is really dark and sometimes people call me black, I dont take offense to it unless it is ment in a malicious way.

If it was the fact that I said black that upset you I am sorry, i don't mean it in a derogatory way. I just feel like black is a better term as it broadens  the scope on who your talking about, african american suggests your talking about people that are mixed raced when im sure the topic creater ment black people as a whole. Also people (especially black people) refer to caucasians as white people, you can't have it both ways. When someone says black person im sure they dont mean literally mean black as the night sky as well as when people say white people they dont mean literally white as snow.

Also in my post i gave my opinion which was basically "yeah games did portray minorities as ugly but its not as bad now", also i use the term minorities coz when comparing white people in games to black people in games there are a hell of a lot more white people so yeah black people are the minorities in games.

If any of this offended anyone for any reason then i am sorry, please state why it offended you and then i'll try to explain myself better as nothing i've said is ment in a horrible way.

Also do you expect me to sit and read 12 odd pages (which for some reason seems to be about rap music now!!) worth of posts? The first page set the stage for what the topic was about and i posted what i felt, it's the best way to actually stay on topic i thought... 

BOFFO.
No he meant that not all blacks were african american like many americans would normally point out. Black is the common expression.
Part of this thread was about how americans tend to call minorities by politically correct names , even when not approppriate. ( like seeing a black person in france and saying that its an african american.)

Also do you expect me to sit and read 12 odd pages (which for some reason seems to be about rap music now!!) worth of posts?

Couldn't make sense out of the last part of that, but are you kidding me? Hip Hop is okay. Anything is okay. Just give substance!
Substance I say!

Rap is only one of the Art forms to Hip Hop. If somebody thinks hip hop is miseducating kids the you have another coming. If anything ITs one of the Last Avenues that can be use to actually reach the kids. Thank the Industry Big Wigs who only allow the trash you hear on the radio that make you think something is wrong with the art form. Right now if 50 Cents says eat your Carrots and you will be able to Flow like me and be strong what you think most kids and some idiotic grown ups will do?

Fads or not, mainstream rappers and underground artists get typecast in their own bullshit that they continue to preach. Guess that's why I prefer the originators of HipHop more: the DJs 

Ah, I just thought that was interesting that there was a time, again, long before i was born, when you were called racist for saying the N word at all! What happened society?? Yes, the show does seem a little slow and not to mention a basic plagiarism of any and all racial stereotypes, again, im not watching the show, im just guessing:) I don't think i can get used to the N word. It doesn't seem right to me.