Exploring the Popularity Paradox: Why So Many People Aren't Listening to Rap
Is rap music so popular that everyone should be listening to it? The answer to this question is multi-faceted and rooted in the nature of popularity itself. Understanding the nuances of popularity can help shed light on why a significant portion of the global population does not engage with this genre.
Understanding Popularity vs. Universal Love
The confusion between something being popular and something being universally loved is a common issue in various domains of culture and entertainment. Popular sports, like baseball, exemplify this distinction. Despite its widespread popularity and the billions generated in revenue, not everyone enjoys or even watches baseball. Similarly, rap music, one of the most popular music genres today, generates substantial earnings and often dominates the public conversation on popular culture. However, not everyone listens to it or enjoys it.
The Hypothetical Example
Lets consider a hypothetical scenario: if you were an extremely popular musician, with 90% of the world's population as your fan base, the remaining 10% would be the ones who don't enjoy your music. With 8 billion people in the world, even a tiny percentage of non-fans amounts to a significant number. A measly 800 million people are group to be the ones not enjoying your music. This is a substantial figure, roughly equivalent to the entire population of Europe.
Global Perspective on Music Preferences
To provide a broader context, the World Population Review reports that 13% of the world’s population listens to rap and hip hop. This means that nearly 7 billion people, or about 87.5% of the population, do not listen to rap. This statement is purely statistical and says nothing about the quality or cultural significance of rap music; it only underscores the fact that human tastes and preferences vary widely.
Rap Music: A Leading Global Phenomenon
Rap, as a music style, is incredibly popular today. In fact, Kendrick Lamar, with his storied career and recent dominating presence on the Billboard Hot 100, exemplifies its enduring popularity. Hip-hop diss tracks, such as Kendrick Lamar's "The Heart Part 5," have even reached chart-topping status in a realm where traditionally, pop or RB ballads may take the top spot.
The Kendrick Lamar and Drake Feud
The feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, one of the biggest artists in the game, has taken the public conversation to new heights. Their beef has not only garnered immense media attention but has also elevated Lamar’s previously underground diss singles to mainstream popularity. Interestingly, as of when I’m writing this, Drake's "Family Matters," the 7th spot on the chart, barely made the cut in my screenshot, indicating the high demand for these diss tracks.
Fragmentation of the Music Public
It is essential to acknowledge that news about rap and hip-hop tends to only reach a select subset of the global public. For instance, someone interested in classic rock might have no knowledge of the goings-on in the rap scene, yet Kendrick Lamar and Drake are calculated as some of the most influential figures in contemporary music.
The diversity in music preferences means that not everyone listens to rap, but enough do that the genre continues to produce chart-topping songs. Rap has been a significant force in the music industry for over three decades, contributing to a rich tapestry of cultural expression and artistic innovation.
Conclusion
The primary takeaway is that popularity is relative. Just because rap is one of the most popular music styles today does not mean everyone listens to it. As with any form of entertainment, there will always be a segment of the population that prefers different genres or has varying tastes. Understanding this diversity is crucial for appreciating not only the richness of music genres but also the complexities of human culture.