... to ask if people actually listen to rap music lyrics? e.g., stormzy

[Blankrightnow]

I get to overhear a lot of rap music being played by my teenage girls at home. Music on a lot of the time at weekends. I have no idea who the artists are, but at this stage I certainly recognize many tunes (typically no idea of the artist, albums, lyrics) and do like some of them (even though a lot seem same-ish to me).

Since the kids music choice also contaminates my Spotify recommendations, today on a train journey I check out Stormzy. Turns out that I know and like a few of the songs from passive listening ... but never bothered to check out the lyrics.

When I was growing up I listened to a lot of music, but went out of my way to find the lyrics, think about them, hum/sing them along sometimes (always on my own!).

Question: for any of you do that listen to rap (is that is right term even?) do people listen closely to lyrics? Or it more about rhythm, beat, melody phrasing, etc?

Just curious ... because I'll ask my kids too when I get back home on Friday.

To clarify, I grew up listening to diverse pop and rock music, including Jam, Clash, Smiths, the Fall, Bowie, etc. I always listened to the lyrics.

I always listen to and go out of my way to learn the lyrics to whatever songs I listen to, whatever genre it is! Mainly so I can sing along haha

Surely rap is all about the lyrics?
Although you wouldn’t know it with some rappers...

The question arose when I check out Stormzy Vossi Bop, and found:

--
My bruddas don't dab, we just Vossi bop
I tell your girl to link me at the coffee shop
Gettin' freaky in the sheets, we're takin' body shots
Then I finish with a facial just to top it off (ay)
-

Had to look up Vossi Bop, but the rest of it I clearly understand. Not complaining ... more just asking a question if people listen closely to rap lyrics

Chescascurious, User10fuckingmillion, thanks for clarifying. I'm just totally ignorant of the genre.

Yes we listen and yes we understand but a good beat is a good best. Get me a catchy hook and I’m there as well as liking meaningful songs. I’m a song whore I don’t have a genre just like a song if I like it.

I enjoy looking up lyrics on genius for the artists insight or random fans thoughts on thr lyrics.

More than any other genre, rap/hip hop is all about the lyrics and message. It’s more like poetry in that respect.
I would think most people who listen to rap/hip hop/grime etc listen to the lyrics

The last rap lyrics, and I listen to a lot of music and lyrics, that moved me on a deep emotional level were Stan by Eminem. Nothing rap, since.

I love rap music but I hate the lyrics of most of the current songs. Sex or money. Money and sex. Some of it is so vulgar.
I refuse to let my dc listen to it in the car and will go on about how disrespectful it is.
There is some good stuff out there where the lyrics are more meaningful. I try to steer my dc towards more meaningful songs but I’m probably just a moaning old woman to them.

No for me it is the beat and melody - I didn’t pick up on the misogyny of many lyrics from 90srap until much later- much like not really seeing how awful the videos were.

Now I listen and tend to stay away from the misogynists/ homophobes

Yes, it’s arguably the biggest draw to the genre for many fans.

The last rap lyrics, and I listen to a lot of music and lyrics, that moved me on a deep emotional level were Stan by Eminem.

Stan is so sad! I generally do listen to lyrics.

clutches pearls won't somebody think of the children!

Yes I listen to the lyrics. Like I do with all songs. Just because you don't understand doesn't mean the lyrics aren't worth listening to

My DC came home a while back and said that their RE teacher said that she had read Stormzy is a man of God, therefore she started playing some of his random songs at assembly.
She obv hadn't listened to some of the lyrics

My DC often learn all the lyrics to something. I do listen to them actually. Somehow I also got into some YouTube vocal coach thing and now I listen to how people actually sing and rap too. I have always liked lyrics and often will not like a song if I don’t like the lyrics!

White Lines by Grandmaster Flash remains the definitive rap song, lyrically and in every other way.

Freeze!

Break it down!

Some of the kids i work with were listening to drill rap and that was pretty grim. What comcerd me was these kids already had a lot of trauma and mental health issues and many were/ are drug abusers. These lyrics ere dark and the kids wanted to relate to them.
They make stormzy look like he's singing a pop record!

@MorrisZapp - I can rap/sing all of White Lines. In fact I was singing it just the other day. Brilliant tune.

Don't really listen to modern rap and grime etc. DS listens to what he listen to on his headphones.

I don't like rapp. I don't like stormzy's lyrics.
But lyrics generally, are very very important to me.
All my favourite songs, I've looked up the lyrics.

I know, Stormzy seems to get a lot of flack from people who have probably never heard Drill. He’s Disney in comparison!

I love Eminem. I know he’s got some awful lyrics but his old stuff just gets me. I also love NWA, Naughty by Nature and Cypress Hill, Tupac etc

When I was a teen I was obsessed with Smash Hits and I learnt lyrics off by heart.

Loved Eminem when I was a teen- yes we “sang” the words but I wouldn’t say the meaning registered- now I’m older I listen back (no wonder my dad was shocked when it blasted out!)

His music I called grime. I listen to his lyrics, yes. He's quite funny.

Just like any other music, people listen for different reasons. I know the words to most songs I like. Other people I know don't listen to lyrics and just enjoy music for the tune or whatever. No difference depending on genre, just depends on the listener.

As a side note, I wonder if Stormzy knows there are quite so many threads about him on Mumsnet!?