I'm glad others feel and think like that too! I thought I was the only one.
I get that for rap and US-originated hiphop purists, the non-hardcore hiphop rap and fasttalk that SM (girl?)groups used from time to time is a no-go and even an abomination that is to be looked down upon.
But ever since I saw SNSD perform a soft and gentle variant of rapping that I really enjoyed and found pleasing, I thought 'why not? Why couldn't there be all kinds of alternative ways to rap or fasttalk or use words in a non-singing but still rhythmic way in songs?'
If it still sounds good, then why not?
Here's the cover that SNSD did of such a song
I noticed that Hearts2Hearts did something like that as well, talking and not rapping in The Chase, and it didn't feel out of place at all to me.
I think their raps are fine and suit their style and concepts.
I also appreciate that we don't have to have raps in every song because they don't have dedicated rappers that they need to give lines to.
Also, I'm not a big fan of that 'swag' vibe when it's often coming from wholesome young people, especially because most Asian cultures value humility.
It just doesn't feel genuine when you have a skinny 16yo kid street styled, scowling and calling themselves a beast in front of the camera.
I find Hyoyeon's flow great when she raps - but she isn't known for rapping, and she wasn't the designated 'rapper' in SNSD for many years. SNSD's songs don't even have real hardcore rapping parts, aside from maybe a few exceptions.
iirc the first time Hyoyeon got noted for rapping was in her collab with Henry and Yuri
That's when I noticed that Hyoyeon would've been the far better choice for SNSD's rap/fasttalk parts.
I think that only with NCT, SM started to get serious for real in selecting and training rappers instead of an afterthought, which is how Mark and Taeyong were known as actual, traditional rappers.
Display MoreI think their raps are fine and suit their style and concepts.
I also appreciate that we don't have to have raps in every song because they don't have dedicated rappers that they need to give lines to.
Also, I'm not a big fan of that 'swag' vibe when it's often coming from wholesome young people, especially because most Asian cultures value humility.
It just doesn't feel genuine when you have a skinny 16yo kid street styled, scowling and calling themselves a beast in front of the camera.
Same here.
Much of the rap in K-pop feels overdone, too much of an imitation trick instead of someone's own personal style, too much trying to emulate US hiphop/rap culture, and that includes YG for me: while I get the strategy behind it, I never really liked that much their hyperfocus on 'swag' and badass rap.
The only decent SM female rapper that I have heard is Amber and I am being generous here.
I must have a really strict view on rap but the rap parts in SM songs are usually my least favorite part of their songs and sometimes, it's just laughable. It goes well with the flow of their songs most of the time because it sounds melodic, more like fast-talking than actual rap. All their "rappers" can sing with that so it's not like they could not get any line.
Honestly, I don't think someone who genuinely loves and is interested in rap would expect to be satisfied with the rap parts in kpop songs. I believe the rap sections in kpop tracks serve purposes like creating an image, harmony, and aesthetic. So, based on that, I don't think the rap or rap-like parts in SM songs are unpleasant or degrading in any way. Personally, I don't think there necessarily needs to be a rap section at all. what I'm trying to say is that SM songs aren't built with rap parts in mind(unlike yg) as I mentioned, for people who don't have a culture of listening to rap, the rap parts in kpop songs shouldn't be a big issue.
I don’t even think if talk rap is a thing… but I would say what they did on the song is talk singing…
Display MoreI find Hyoyeon's flow great when she raps - but she isn't known for rapping, and she wasn't the designated 'rapper' in SNSD for many years. SNSD's songs don't even have real hardcore rapping parts, aside from maybe a few exceptions.
iirc the first time Hyoyeon got noted for rapping was in her collab with Henry and Yuri
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That's when I noticed that Hyoyeon would've been the far better choice for SNSD's rap/fasttalk parts.
I think that only with NCT, SM started to get serious for real in selecting and training rappers instead of an afterthought, which is how Mark and Taeyong were known as actual, traditional rappers.
Yeah, Hyoyeon had a lot of potential as a rapper but SM, ofc fumbled hard with that
Honestly, I don't think someone who genuinely loves and is interested in rap would expect to be satisfied with the rap parts in kpop songs. I believe the rap sections in kpop tracks serve purposes like creating an image, harmony, and aesthetic. So, based on that, I don't think the rap or rap-like parts in SM songs are unpleasant or degrading in any way. Personally, I don't think there necessarily needs to be a rap section at all. what I'm trying to say is that SM songs aren't built with rap parts in mind(unlike yg) as I mentioned, for people who don't have a culture of listening to rap, the rap parts in kpop songs shouldn't be a big issue.
It just depends on the group.
I got deeper into K-pop thanks to BIGBANG, BTS, and GOT7 because the rappers in those groups take their verses seriously. They have a genuine interest in rap.
As for my OP, I’m just saying SM does a good job with using rap in a way that fits with their rest of the music, at least for Red Velvet and aespa. I can see the same happening with Hearts2Hearts.
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