Rap Help!

[AnaKhouri]

Does anyone know any good, non-profane rappers? My toddler loves rap and I haven't seriously listened to rap since Rev Run was just Run and he was in Run DMC (and my Catholic school teachers sent home notes to parents about how terrible 2 Live Crew was...they couldn't imagine Eminem, I guess). I found one rapper I like named B.O.B. but are there any others?

(on a side note, why do rappers have stupid names now? They all just put Lil' or Young in front of their real name, a close approximation of their real name, or some onomatopoeia. Where are the Flava Flavs, Ghostface Killahs and LL Cool Js? I admit I think Chamillionaire is pretty clever though).

[JustaCashier]

I'm afraid I can't be of help, but I wonder if Rappa Sca Llion, will weigh in here with some advice?

Mike

[ApolloSZ]

.. rap without profanity? I thought that was a key requirement, judging by the (admittedly limited) stuff I've listened to..... -.- Sorry I can't be more help. If its just the rythym, would just music work? i.e. no lyrics?

[Taboo]

Amazon is showing me a series called Kids Rap Radio. It's apparently made by Beyonce's father to be kid-appropriate. The lyrics may be more mundane than what you're looking for, but at least there wouldn't be any profanity.

[iradney]

Will Smith (AFAIK) makes a point of not cussing. His early stuff with DJ Jazzy Jeff was pretty cool....

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

So I take it 2 Live Crew is out of the picture then...

I would go with the Fat Boys myself. Or Kurtis Blow. Or anything more old-school rap. Like early to mid 80s or so.

And the best thing about this type of rap--the performers made their own music. None of this sampling nonsense.

[Mytical]

I will have to second the Dj Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince for non-cursing.

[CaroPhoenix]

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

He's a rapper for the kiddie set.

Mr. Rum, Child Rum, and I caught his act at Frostival (a children-themed convention in the Washingotn DC area that was held New Year's Day).

He wasn't Child Rum's cuppa (nor mine or Mr. Rum's), but everyone else in the area quite enjoyed him.

ETA: Hubs & I were more amused at the sign language interpreter singing rap than by the group itself.

[tacohuman]

astronautalis is probably my favorite at the moment. he does drop the occasional f-bomb, but it's maybe once on an album, definitely not in every song. in fact, on his most recent album ("pomegranate"), i don't think he cusses at all. plus, he makes some of the best, most intelligent rap around. "pomegranate" is an album full of historical fiction--where else will you find raps about the revolutionary war (the song is "trouble hunters," about the battle of trenton)? check him out on youtube. in particular, i'd look for "skeletons (everyone's favorite)," "trouble hunters," and "mr. blessington's imperialist plot."

also, most of the so-called "nerdcore" rappers are pretty good about being non-profane. i'd stay away from mc chris, but mc lars, mc frontalot, optimus rhyme, and beefy are all pretty good.

[Jester]

Definitely avoid Ice T, Ice Cube, and NWA. They're great, but definitely not appropriate for what you are looking for.

Oh, and also avoid Ice T's rock-rap fusion band, Body Count. Pretty much the polar opposite of what you are looking for (though they are freakin' awesome!).

Maybe some Run-DMC? Not that familiar with their stuff, but I think I remembered them as being relatively harmless.....

[csquared]

I can thank KiaKat for getting me hooked on these guys.

Call Me a Duck