Rap: Music? Not!

After reading Rev. Al Sharpton’s threat to Time Warner executives, (who oversee Interscope, distributor of controversial rap performances) in “Black Leaders Weigh In on Rap Debate” (Calendar, June 13) and having played music professionally for 23 years, I thought a musician’s voice should be heard.

Let’s step out of denial for a moment to face a few facts about rap. First, and foremost, rap is not music and should not be used in the same phrase. Rather, it is the antithesis of music. Dictionaries define music as an encompassing art form, with aesthetic appeal, which includes, among other elements, melody and harmony, of which rap is void.

For many in the industry, rap is considered the “sacred subcultural verbosity.” I define it as an acronym: Repetitious Annoying Profanity.

RICHARD AHRENS

Manhattan Beach