re: Do you believe rap/hip hop music has been a net positive or negative for society?

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One, rap music takes zero talent these days. In the old rap days like with NWA it took some level of talent especially with the lyrics, but I blame the likes of T Pain and auto tune to making it the musical wasteland it is these days. No talent, just create a generic beat and talk along to it. That's it. Lyrics have gone into the shitter and are not creative.

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I agree that alot of music there is no talent. Hell, today you have a lot of guys who can't even rap on beat. But let's be clear, there are many lyricists in Hip-Hop. They may not be the guys you here in the top 40, but they definitely exist. Any true Hip-Hop heads know who these lyricists are. These guys are story-tellers, and much more. If you can make someone need to listen to your song 3-5 times to even determine the deeper meanings in the song then that is talent. Also T-Pain is far from being untalented. He is a great singer. Also, believe it or not, producing music, making beats, etc is a talent as well. He does all of this. I do agree he could make some much better music, but he definitely has talent.

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Second, rap music glorifies deviant behavior like violence, pimping, prostitution, drug use, and disrespect of women.

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Rap does seem to be in its own reign when it comes to talking about things like murder and other high level crimes like that. But a lot of the other themes such as having money, drugs, degrading women are found in almost every genre to some extent. Rock music has no moral high ground here.

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Third, it puts a bad influence on urban youth. Just look at how many of them are "aspiring rappers" when you read some crime story. So many of them think they can make it as rappers, instead of trying to make it in a profession where they have greater odds of success

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I don't see it as a bad thing that some people aspire to be rappers. The problem is that they committed crimes and were living an unsavory lifestyle. Other than that, aspiring rappers are no different than aspring singers, aspiring instrumentalist, etc. Some will make it, most won't and will need to find another career.

Although I certainly have my favorites, I'm a guy that can respect and listen to many genres. I respect rock music. A lot of it is fun. I do enjoy listening to the different instruments doing their thing. Hell, most of radio rap music is trash. But I'd be lying if I said it doesn't get me hype or want to dance when I'm in that mood. I think that is the thing people are missing. Not all music is meant to be deep. Not all music is meant to be about love. Not all music is meant to be some deep social commentary. Some music is simply meant to get your head bobbing or feet moving. Some will make you want to run through a wall because you're so excited. All of these different types of music deserves a place in society.

Tl;dr Hip Hop is SOOOO much more than what's played on radios or the violence that is found in many songs. Lastly, there is no genre that is truly better than another. It is all based on preference. We all like what we like. That is ok.