i've just thought of a couple of exceptions to the rule that all rap is pants. 'white lines' and 'the message' by Grandmaster Flash had great lyrics and 'white lines' backing track had a great groove. 'fight for your right to party' by the Beasties kicked big time and some of Run DMC stuff wasnt half bad. mind you that was all when rap was new. since then it's just not moved on in any way. i particularly hate 'get ur freak on'. the travesty about rap is that it emerged from the death throes of funk, my favourite style of music which ironically required a high level of musicianship. just check out the brass playing of Tower of Power and the Horny Horns, the bass of Bootsy and Larry Graham, Bernie Worrall's keyboards, the guitars of Ernie Isley and Eddie Hazel.