Rap-Up.com || Elton John Calls Kanye West Album ‘Genius,’ Defends Hip-Hop

The legendary Elton John previously showed his love for hip-hop by performing with Eminem at the 2001 Grammys. But his respect for the music doesn’t end there. The pop virtuoso, who guests on Kanye West’s star-studded single “All of the Lights,” expressed his fondness for Kanye’s latest album and rap in general.

Elton showered praise on Mr. West’s critically-acclaimed fifth album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. “I grew to love R&B and Motown and all black music, gospel music. I never dismiss any form of music,” he told TeenMusic.com. “I listen to everything. I’m on the new Kanye West record, for example. It’s a genius record.”

He was quick to defend the genre against those who malign it. “People who mock rap, and say, ‘I don’t like it,’ they should go check out Kanye in the studio rapping,” said the knighted musician. “Or Eminem when he’s in the studio. It’s a phenomenon. Don’t knock it until you’ve seen it. It may not be your cup of tea, but don’t ridicule. I find that so many of my peers of my age don’t listen to anything new. I love the new.”

Kanye recently revealed that the Hype Williams-directed video for “All of the Lights” co-starring Rihanna will make its debut within the next week.

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20 Comments

Yeah
January 26th, 2011 at 11:09 am
yea right

[Reply]
Deetee
January 26th, 2011 at 11:10 am
Yeah we believe u

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Yeah
January 26th, 2011 at 11:14 am
if Elton thinks Eminem & Kanye are the only “good” form a rap…then I don’t know what to say about that.
The both seem average to me.

[Reply]
Aday34 Reply:
February 8th, 2013 at 10:02 am
@Yeah, Yeah Eminem can rap about legitimate subject matter and actually freestyle. Kanye can rap about legitimate subject matter as well and he can produce a record from scratch or using samples and putting them together. Go listen to those Young Money ass-clowns cause you clearly can’t break down music.

[Reply]
C-B-4
January 26th, 2011 at 11:20 am
@yeah or the two of the best in the game right now?

[Reply]
Killmatic
January 26th, 2011 at 11:24 am
@Yeah
Eminem and Kanye is the two greatest rappers of the 2000s.

[Reply]
Nina
January 26th, 2011 at 11:41 am
I agree with Sir Elton John. Just because most of rap is crap nowadays, doesn’t mean we should dismiss it all. Kanye West’s ‘MBDTF’ got me lovin’ rap & hip-hop again. There is hope for the rap world!! Oh and yes, Yeezy is a musical genius, and he knows it too!

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Ben
January 26th, 2011 at 11:55 am
@yeah.. dont make a comment if you dont understand the music. You said they “both seem” average, this implies you have made an assumption based on what? A few minutes of hearing their music. You’re funny.

They’re both legends in their own right.

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Abdullah
January 26th, 2011 at 11:58 am
Kanye > all rappers

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cubevision
January 26th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
abdullah you are unwell if you think kanye is the best rapper and @yeah kanye and em are not average.

[Reply]
3stacks
January 26th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
I haven’t got around to listening to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy yet, but today I heard that All of the Lights song with Rihanna and I’m definitely gonna pick the album up tomorrow before class.

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xedos
January 26th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Elton is talking about Kanye and M&M because he works with them. atleast he ‘s talking about what he knows

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Yeah
January 26th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
like I said their average, nothing impresses me, I’ve heard better, trust me I have
and yes I’ve heard their music, who hasn’t? The are far from best or greatest.
#thatisall
yall can hop off nut now :P

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Yeah
January 26th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
they’re*

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Breezy
January 26th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
its just a regular kanye album…nothing special

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Heminem
January 26th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
Elton is one of the greatest of all time!

He also has good taste, Em and Ye are the best.

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TheLuversLane
January 27th, 2011 at 4:54 am
kanye and eminem are some really great rappers. i dont whats wrong with “yeah’s” ears. but elton is talking about what he knows so thats good he’s not a faker

[Reply]
Miriam
January 27th, 2011 at 11:41 am
Eminem=100%rap Kayne=75%pop+25%rap

[Reply]
Make a Rap Beats.How to Good Sounding Beat Maker | DC Smooth
January 27th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
[...] Rap-Up.com || Elton John Calls Kanye West Album 'Genius,' Defends … [...]
beezle
February 11th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
i personally think Ye is one of the greatest musicians produced in the 21st century.

[Reply]