--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Rap is not pop. If you call it that, then…" description: "\"Rap is not pop. If you call it that, then stop.\" — Q-Tip" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/q-tip-7839_hip-hop_rap-is-not-pop-if-you-call-it-that-then_1547362.jpg" --- # Rap is not pop. If you call it that, then stop. ![“Rap is not pop. If you call it that, then stop.” quote by Q-Tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/q-tip-7839_hip-hop_rap-is-not-pop-if-you-call-it-that-then_1547362.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/q-tip-7839_hip-hop_rap-is-not-pop-if-you-call-it-that-then_1547362.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/891/q-tip-7839_hip-hop_rap-is-not-pop-if-you-call-it-that-then_1547362.jpg) > “Rap is not pop. If you call it that, then stop.” [Q-Tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Distinguishes rap from pop, urging respect for its distinct culture. **In simple terms:** Rap is its own genre. Key Takeaway Respect rap’s unique identity. Themes music genre culture identity respect Mood defensive assertive Type musical cultural When to use this quote - radio shows - music curricula - fan discussions Key Concepts hip‑hop history musical taxonomy cultural integrity Questions to Reflect On - Why is genre distinction important? - How does this affect artistic freedom? A Different Perspective Genre lines can blur over time. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hip hop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hip-hop/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Pop Stop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pop-stop-5776283/) [Pops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pops/) [Rap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rap/) [Rapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rapper/) [Stop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop/) [Tribe called quest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tribe-called-quest/) ## Related quotes > [I'm really influenced by '90s hip hop. A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul were my heroes growing up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-kearney/i-m-really-influenced-by-90s-hip-hop-a-tribe-called-quest-and-de-la/) [Mat Kearney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-kearney/) > [I think that a rap aficionado, the hardcore rap fan, will always go away from pop, in the same way a hardcore jazz fan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-t/i-think-that-a-rap-aficionado-the-hardcore-rap-fan-will-always-go/) [Ice T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-t/) > [For a long period of time, the media covered rap music and hip hop the same way they cover a lot of black people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-d/for-a-long-period-of-time-the-media-covered-rap-music-and-hip-hop-the/) [Chuck D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-d/) > [There needs to be structures in place to do something about misrepresentation about hip hop. When awards are given out and the media talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/there-needs-to-be-structures-in-place-to-do-something-about/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [We put out real hip-hop at a time when it was turning into pop or R&B ... We brought the focus back to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/we-put-out-real-hip-hop-at-a-time-when-it-was-turning-into-pop-or-r-b/) [RZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/) > [Back in the day, if someone said that hip hop and rap was a fad, that was a joke to me because they just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jam-master-jay/back-in-the-day-if-someone-said-that-hip-hop-and-rap-was-a-fad-that/) [Jam Master Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jam-master-jay/) > [Feed me hip-hop and I start tremblin'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakim/feed-me-hip-hop-and-i-start-tremblin/) [Rakim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakim/) > [Personally, I just think rap music is the best thing out there, period. If you look at my deck in my car radio, you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eminem/personally-i-just-think-rap-music-is-the-best-thing-out-there-period/) [Eminem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eminem/) > [Which is the other reason hip-hop is controversial: People don't bother trying to get it. The problem isn't in the rap or the rapper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/which-is-the-other-reason-hip-hop-is-controversial-people-don-t/) [Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/) > [I was a huge fan of '90s hip-hop, and a lot of what they got their music from was funk and soul records. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/griz/i-was-a-huge-fan-of-90s-hip-hop-and-a-lot-of-what-they-got-their/) [GRiZ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/griz/) > [I'm fascinated by rap and by hip-hop. I think there's a lot of poetry in it. There's a lot of anger, a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/i-m-fascinated-by-rap-and-by-hip-hop-i-think-there-s-a-lot-of-poetry/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [I don't dislike rappers or hip-hop or people who like it. I went to the Def Jam tour in Manchester in the '80s when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-gallagher/i-don-t-dislike-rappers-or-hip-hop-or-people-who-like-it-i-went-to/) [Noel Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-gallagher/) > [Once I slapped a rapper with mace, Then I spit acid in his face, after he rinsed his eyes, no wait... I actually grew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pharoahe-monch/once-i-slapped-a-rapper-with-mace-then-i-spit-acid-in-his-face-after/) [Pharoahe Monch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pharoahe-monch/) > [Now I'm not the type that gets upset, Try to disrespect folks just to earn respect. But learn this fact: whether white or black,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/slick-rick/now-i-m-not-the-type-that-gets-upset-try-to-disrespect-folks-just-to/) [Slick Rick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/slick-rick/) > [My dad raised me on everything from his music to Stevie Wonder to A Tribe Called Quest. I learned the 'Midnight Marauders' album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bibi-bourelly/my-dad-raised-me-on-everything-from-his-music-to-stevie-wonder-to-a/) [Bibi Bourelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bibi-bourelly/) ## More by Q-Tip > [A thug, a thrill, you as mean as the eyes. I wanna feel you, them big ass thighs. Your Prada dress or your Gucci…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/a-thug-a-thrill-you-as-mean-as-the-eyes-i-wanna-feel-you-them-big-ass/) [Q-tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [I'm a cinephile. I love movies, I love film at every level. I'm a student of it. It informs me as does all art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/i-m-a-cinephile-i-love-movies-i-love-film-at-every-level-i-m-a/) [Q-Tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [A lot of people who curate in the business, and curate the art, don't really have good artistic sense. They may know commerce, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/a-lot-of-people-who-curate-in-the-business-and-curate-the-art-don-t/) [Q-Tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [Can I rhyme? Well you know I gets mine. Sittin round in my abstract car. This abstract thing goin abstract far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/can-i-rhyme-well-you-know-i-gets-mine-sittin-round-in-my-abstract-car/) [Q-tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [Shorty thought she subtle but she really was blatant when she shook her thing and violated. Now these wolf-like thoughts are formulated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/shorty-thought-she-subtle-but-she-really-was-blatant-when-she-shook/) [Q-tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [I read the Koran and it appealed to me. At the time I was agnostic and it really breathed spiritually back into me. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/i-read-the-koran-and-it-appealed-to-me-at-the-time-i-was-agnostic-and/) [Q-Tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [The feelin is true I'm seein me and my crew, you seein black and blue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/the-feelin-is-true-i-m-seein-me-and-my-crew-you-seein-black-and-blue/) [Q-tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [Yo your girl just moved to the joint in the club, in the car if it groove. Broad look, the movement is on. Mild…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/yo-your-girl-just-moved-to-the-joint-in-the-club-in-the-car-if-it/) [Q-tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [Satisfaction, I have the right tactics... And if you need em I got crazy prophylactics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/satisfaction-i-have-the-right-tactics-and-if-you-need-em-i-got-crazy/) [Q-Tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [Yo hold the door a-ight? We comin through, Tribe beef, hold it down for the night. Big Moon got the fifth D-Lyfe he got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/yo-hold-the-door-a-ight-we-comin-through-tribe-beef-hold-it-down-for/) [Q-tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [We all have our own takes on things. To being yourself. The abstract, the whole thing that I play with, seems to result in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/we-all-have-our-own-takes-on-things-to-being-yourself-the-abstract/) [Q-Tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [I have a very connected history with Bilal. I heard his demo years ago. I heard all of the magic instantly. He's a master…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/i-have-a-very-connected-history-with-bilal-i-heard-his-demo-years-ago/) [Q-Tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [So pay attention, it's not hard to decipher, And after the horns, you can check out the Phifer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/so-pay-attention-it-s-not-hard-to-decipher-and-after-the-horns-you/) [Q-Tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [Shorty, let me tell you about my only vice: It has to do with lots of lovin', and it ain't nuttin' nice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/shorty-let-me-tell-you-about-my-only-vice-it-has-to-do-with-lots-of/) [Q-Tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) > [So concisely, musically we are the herb So sit back and light me. Inhale... My style's kinda fat, reminiscent of a whale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/q-tip/so-concisely-musically-we-are-the-herb-so-sit-back-and-light-me/) [Q-Tip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) [Explore all 87 Q-Tip quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/q-tip/) ## More Hip hop quotes > [I've been writing songs since I was 10 years old and always had a penchant for rhyming. I started listening to hip hop through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoodie-allen/i-ve-been-writing-songs-since-i-was-10-years-old-and-always-had-a/) [Hoodie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoodie-allen/) > [Everything affects hip-hop. The question is, how does it affect the money that corporations are going to invest to put out different kinds of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-i-am/everything-affects-hip-hop-the-question-is-how-does-it-affect-the/) [will.i.am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-i-am/) > [By the time you get into other kinds of music - R&B, country, or whatever - it becomes something that's romantic. It becomes something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-kweli/by-the-time-you-get-into-other-kinds-of-music-r-b-country-or-whatever/) [Talib Kweli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talib-kweli/) > [God is never late, we're just impatient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lecrae/god-is-never-late-we-re-just-impatient/) [LeCrae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lecrae/) > [I gave birth to most of them MC's... So when it comes around to the month of May, Send me your royalty check for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxanne-shante/i-gave-birth-to-most-of-them-mc-s-so-when-it-comes-around-to-the/) [Roxanne Shante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxanne-shante/) > [Couples Therapy' is pretty big for me because it's opening the door to a new audience - a hip-hop following, which I feel is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmen-carrera/couples-therapy-is-pretty-big-for-me-because-it-s-opening-the-door-to/) [Carmen Carrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmen-carrera/) > [If you scared to take chances, you'll never have the answers...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/if-you-scared-to-take-chances-you-ll-never-have-the-answers/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Wherever I go, I bring the culture with me, so that they can understand that it's attainable. I didn't do it any other way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-z/wherever-i-go-i-bring-the-culture-with-me-so-that-they-can-understand/) [Jay-Z](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-z/) > [If you don't know hip-hop, at least a little bit of it, you can't even call yourself an American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krs-one/if-you-don-t-know-hip-hop-at-least-a-little-bit-of-it-you-can-t-even/) [KRS-One](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krs-one/) > [I come from a young, hip-hop, urban world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-t-jackson/i-come-from-a-young-hip-hop-urban-world/) [Brandon T. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-t-jackson/) > [For me, growing up in hip-hop culture, it's all about having the next style, the new fashion, the new way to express yourself, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/el-p/for-me-growing-up-in-hip-hop-culture-it-s-all-about-having-the-next/) [El-P](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/el-p/) > [It's not about a salary, it's all about reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krs-one/it-s-not-about-a-salary-it-s-all-about-reality/) [KRS-One](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krs-one/) > [My first album, 'Get Lifted,' was a hip-hop soul album that had some of its roots in the church, as far as the sonic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-legend/my-first-album-get-lifted-was-a-hip-hop-soul-album-that-had-some-of/) [John Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-legend/) > [If you watch wrestling, you now know the hip-hop culture is being represented with wrestling. For the longest time, the cultures have almost been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cena/if-you-watch-wrestling-you-now-know-the-hip-hop-culture-is-being/) [John Cena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cena/) > [Ghostface, when it comes to hip-hop, was one of my favorite rappers and definitely one of my favorites in the Wu-Tang. He's also a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/no-i-d/ghostface-when-it-comes-to-hip-hop-was-one-of-my-favorite-rappers-and/) [No I.D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/no-i-d/) [Browse all 3,272 Hip hop quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hip-hop/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Rap is not pop. 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