Debate: Modern music is contributing to the downfall of society.
Side: No

Shouldn't you be off trying to save a polar bear as opposed to "wasting the world's energy reserves" debating with somebody you obviously hold in contempt?Actually Thursdays are my save the dolphins vegan cupcake sale. Polar bears are every other tuesday.Good artists in your opinion. They do not count as evidence, as their artistic worth is debatable.So lets debate it. I wouldn't have presented my thoughts if I wasn't willing to defend them (unlike some people on this site). only appreciate lyrics if I consider them to be good. You seem to be under the illusion that negative opinions are not suitable responses, whereas positive opinions (your own) are.No, but you provided no contradictory arguments as to why these lyrics weren't good. My assumption was that if you had some you would have given them...was I mistaken?Then why is the basis of your argument a subjective opinion of the lyrics?If the value of lyrics was completely subjective then there would be no way to judge the value of poetry, or even other works of art that rely on words such as novels. All criticism of these works (both positive and negative) could just be countered by saying: "that's just an opinion." And besides, if this were the case, then I would have equal ground on which to argue that a song is good that you do that a song is bad. Obviously though we know that lyrics aren't wholly subjective. No one (who wasn't dropped as a child) would argue that Nickelback are better artists than The Beatles. Now there are songs that I don't necessarily like to listen to because I don't particularly enjoy the genre, but I will still admit it when a song is well written. I don't particularly like classical music for example, but there is no denying that Beethoven was a genius.There are obviously cultural differences that can contribute to our appreciation of music, but since we both speak English and both live in western modern democracies (you are from the U.K. right?) then our cultural differences shouldn't be too great.Nor does my opinion of you matter in a debate. We aren't arguing about each other we are arguing about music, so lets stick to the topic at hand, k? Good.Now, Lupe Fiasco has better songs than "Dumb it Down" but I chose it because it's one of my personal favorites, and (more importantly) it deals with what you were arguing: the numerous influences that try and dumb down hip-hop/rap music. I would agree with the statement that most hip-hop/rap you hear on the radio is pretty mindless, and sometimes even comes close to the link you posted. Lupe's song is one in which he addresses this issue through the three variations of the chorus. This part in itself is good, but where Lupe really showcases his talents is in the verses. To save you the trouble of having to look it up here is the first verse:I'm fearlessNow hear thisI'm earless And I'm peer-lessThat means I'm eyelessWhich means I'm tearlessWhich means my iris resides where my ears isWhich means I'm blindedBut I'mma find it I can feel it's nearnessBut I'mma veer so I don't come nearLike a chicken or a deerBut I remember I'm not a listener or a seer so my windshield smearHere, you steer, I really shouldn't be behind this, clearly cause my blindness The windshield is minstrel, the whole grill is roadkill, so trill and so sincere. Yeah, I'm both them thereTook both pills, when a bloke in a trench coat and the locs in the chair had approached him hereAnd he clear as a ghost, so a biter of the throats in the mirrorThe writer of the quotes for the ghosts who supplier of the notes to the livingRiveting is rosy, pockets full of posies, given to the mother of the deceased. Awaken at war, 'til I'm restin' in peace Like a good movie, the complexity of the rhymes are such that I needed to listen to the song a number of times to fully understand it.Now, if you disagree that these aren't great lyrics then please actually give reasons this time, and maybe provide a song that you think does exemplify what you consider to be "good lyrics." But once again the option is there for you to just admit you down know what your talking about, and end the argument right now. I'm sure no one will hold it against you :)