Salesforce.com Chairman and CEO Marc Benioff, center, speaks as Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young, left, and American rapper will.i.am react during a U.S.-Japan friendship event at the U.S. ambassador's residence in Tokyo, on Wednesday.
© Japan TodayYoung will.i.am
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Wolfpack
I am sure that many people feel otherwise but I couldn't agree more. Not because it isn't a art form but because of the way it is used to demean and debase it's subjects. Whether it be slapping bitches and ho's or killing cop's, it doesn't have a very edifying origin or tradition. What is especially unfortunate is seeing artists from other countries mimic American rappers. Watching Japanese rappers "rap" is surreal and comical.
The US ambassador has no business supporting the viewpoint of America that guys like will.I.am represent. The guys drops the "N-word" left and right in his songs. We want to export that as representative of America?
TorafusuTorasan
@Lilith12,
Thanks for the note about Young being a toy train CEO. I think he got into that through his disabled son. I wonder if his company, Lionel, sells model trains in Japan.
Young is one of the all time greats. Will.i.am's collaboration with Sergio Mendes was my favorite stuff he's done.
Lilith12
My husband, a huge Neil fan, forced me to post, that Neil is Lionel Trains CEO (see the T-shirt).
sillygirl
will.i.am - the man. bep!!!!
Bogi
will.i.am is one of the most talented producers, arrangers and rappers around now. I'm not a huge rap fan, but I know a bit about music in general, and he has more talent than all of you haters here on JT combined. He is both hip and articulate.
So what can you all do??
LoveNot
Three handsome men. yes, thank you, JT.
nagaremono
Does anyone know if Neil Young is performing anywhere in Japan? Bet he'd make a good duo with Shiho Ochi (Superfly)
MaboDofuIsSpicy
I was raised never to feel sorry for myself. I was raised to say never again, and hit the books really hard.
Thanks for the clarity on the guy being much more than a rapper. He seems extremely intelligent from what I read about him.
Although many college grads are not finding jobs in their desired fields, they will eventually.
So many kids that think they will become great musicians, artists, sports stars etc. will not fill their dreams at all.
So I think kis should study hard and move on.
cactusJack
The Black Eyed Peas superbowl show was completely awful.
NetNinja
I've seen the Black Eyed Peas in concert - Nippon Budokan. They're are amazing performers. One of the most exciting concerts I've ever been to.
Obviously we have some haters here. It's okay if you don't like Rap or R&B. I think it will survive without your vote. If you do reply to my post, please keep in mind I said "performers" and not singers.
There are all types in the music industry. Recording Artists Performers Artists Singers Rappers
Very few have been able to master all the titles - Michael Jackson being the perfect example.
Will.I.Am was not properly labelled in this picture. He's a producer, recording artist, performer. It unfair to label him simply as a Rapper.
Utrack
Will I am is off the chain. Great music to drive to.
rickyvee
@mabo
then you should feel sorry for yourself.
MaboDofuIsSpicy
Yes Ricky. Lots of white trash out there too. I feel sorry for all uneducated people.
tkoind2
"Rappers are worse than Japanese talento."
Regardless of race or nationality, as rap is world wide now, I have to agree for the most part. Commercial rap is as mindless as J-pop.
That said, there are rappers out there who send messages that are worth listening to. Sadly they are not what we usually end up hearing in a world where only fluffy commercial crap is widely available.
As for Neil Young, wow, time is passing quickly.
rickyvee
@mabodofulsspicy
and what about all the white kids that are listening to his music? do they fail in life too?
Gurukun
Can't sing or dance. However, I like the guy as a person. He has donated alot of his money to the less fortunate.
tmarie
Drake.
y3chome
At least he can dance dude. what have we got? Justin Beiber?
tmarie
Why is Neil there? He's Canadian - as already pointed out .
hoserfella
Nice to start off the morning with some thinly-veiled racism and sterotyping.
MaboDofuIsSpicy
This is why black kids fail so much in school. Looking up to people that cannot sing, but use crappy language in bad poetic syntax, is no way to start off life.
Rappers are worse than Japanese talento.
tokyotom
aint singing for coke huh neil, but singing for the US of A!
smartacus
When are rappers going to observe the rules of grammar and spelling with their names?
Serrano
Holy shmoly, Neil Young is gettin' old!
Gurukun
Is that the New Black Eyed Peas? Fergie in the middle?