How to Be a Good Rapper

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This is how I choose rap music. I rarely listen to rap but if I do the artist has to meet these standards:
1. Have a good sound. Don’t be monotone. Have rhythm.
2. Don’t rap about nothing but partying, money or sex. Rap about true love. Rap about politics and change. Rap about the beauty of New York or Chicago. Rap about friendship or peace.
3. Include singing in your rap music.
4. DO NOT FEATURE JUSTIN BIEBER!
5. Do not be repetitive.

I'm guessing most rappers are "bad" by your standards then?

Most, but not all. I like Jay-Z and the Black-Eyed Peas. I also like some songs by Eminem because he raps about his life story—he’s honest and lyrical.

Well, I'll admit I'm not the biggest fan of rap either, although I can at least appreciate it for what it is. Eminem is one of the few rappers I've actually grown fond of.

It's always surprising to me that when people name one rapper that appeals to them for not being all about 'gangstas, guns, and drugs', they name Eminem? Granted he's an excellent lyricist, but especially his material on his first couple of albums was full of violence and deliberately disturbing content. Why go for Eminem and not name:

Nas, a street poet:


The Pharcyde, talking about life as it is:


Lupe Fiasco, modern-day troubadour:


Arrested Development, showing that protest rap songs needn't be 'angry':


And that's not even going beyond the mainstream.