Where has rap music going?

I have been pondering on how far music and amount of talent has faded away in modern pop/rap music.  In the 90's the music played on the radio such as The Goo Goo dolls, Lifehouse, LL Cool J, The Sugar Hill Gang, Everlast and Everclear has actually had the concept of music, which requires talent.  Today's modern music scene is ranging from Ludacris to Wocka, in comparison to the 90's artists these artist seem to have a decline in talent in the past few decades.  In the 90's and earlier the talent that it took to become a famous artist seemed to be much more difficult than it is today.  It seems like rap has lost its roots and lost the talent from its origin, which use to be to express feelings.

Music has three main components to it including melody, harmony, and rhythm.  Music has to include these three components to be well respected.  It is impossible to pick out the melody and harmony in many rap songs in the last few years.  If rap is considered "music" that requires talent, then why is it missing two huge aspects of it?  Rap has completely taken all instruments out of the music and now uses computers for these sounds.  It is not easy to be a music producer for these rap songs, but using a computer for instruments is not a musician.  It takes many years to master an instrument, to make music with a computer only takes a few buttons to make tracks.  Putting the music together is challenging however to press buttons to create music is not hard.  In other words, if making music with a computer is difficult then playing an instrument would seem to be impossible.    Again, where has the music gone, and where is it going?

 Rappers do have the talent to flow which is not an easy task to accomplish, so I do agree that rappers need to be quick and good at improvising to come up with good solid rhymes on the spot.  What I really do not like about these rhymes is that most of them seem to be vulgar.  It is hard to name songs that are not vulgar; on the other hand it is quite simple and relatively easy to name some ones that are vulgar and offensive.  Rap artists do not need to worry about tones, pitches, and notes because most raps are talking in rhythm and does not sing.  What makes this kind of music much more respectable than a jazz or rock?  I am not bashing the rap genre, I just do not like how it gets more respect from society than most other genres.  I do listen to rap music occasionally. 

What happened to the lyrics of rap songs?  I personally cannot name 5 rap songs that do not cuss in them or that is not about sex, drugs, fame or money.  The messages of these songs are all around vulgar, and upsetting to me, if this is called music.  I really could care less how big that girls’ ass is or how she backs up her ass on you or how huge her boobs were or how you super soaked that ho.  I understand that is only one rapper who says that (Soldja Boy), but it is not just him.  What happened to music that told an inspiring message, or how you let emotions out.  Music use to tell stories or to let your feelings out to a love one that has died, how you dealt with problems, or just for plain out fun.  How does this considered talented?  Rap is considered one of the best known genre around the world, which usually means that it is the most talented genre.  Our most popular genre is about degrading women and how being materialistic is everything.  I understand society has changed its views on women, and how hook ups are more acceptable (both men and woman), but leave that for society to worry about and do not degrade music with these beliefs.

 Rappers will make more money than a talented band or singer any day now.  They will make more money than someone who got a Ph.D. in music.  Please explain to me how this works?  This is not music, and they are given enormous amount of credit and fame for a lack of talent?  I do understand how it is not easy always being in the spotlight, but I am only concerned with the music that is being produced by these stars.  Most rappers hardly or did not even graduate high school (Jay-Z, Drake).  I would respect rap more if rappers told their life story and how they managed rough times in their life.  I still just do not get what makes rap a talented genre in music.  Most rap about stupid pointless things, most do not even sing they just talk in rhythm to computer that is repetitive and requires no musical talent, just someone to press buttons.