Then I must be the oldest of the old fogeys because, hard as I try, I just can't get my head around it or am able to see any musical value in it. It can't be a race thing since I'm Black (I think it's a musical thing since I'm a musician).

The only Rap/HipHop (not sure what the difference is) song that I've liked was Gangsta Paradise (Coolio??) and that had a lot to do with the background vocals. I'm pretty sure it involved some Stevie Wonder samples as well.

However, as a musician, I can still recognize that there is still "good" and "bad" in every genre', including HipHop. For instance, if that inate rythym ain't there, you can probably forget about "making beats" or producing good hiphop tracks. I suppose Rap is some kind of basic poetic form but the music behind it is purely rythmical (as opposed to strong musical structure and content). However, I am admittedly musically ignorant in this area and am more than willing to be 'educated' in case I'm missing something.

As far as using the Genesis for hiphop, I'd say stick to the Akai MPC's and save the Genesis for Schlager.

chas