Can the WWE PPV's Get More Rap/Hip Hop Themes?

[CM Steel]

The last two pay per view themes have been by rap artist. For Survivor Series it was Flo Rida with his hit single. And for TLC in December it will be a feature with Hip-Hop icon LL Cool J. So even though mostly WWE PPV themes have been by Rock 'N Roll groups. Should the WWE bring in more Hip-Hop/Rap music for themes to any kind of WWE package?

 

[JWGunslinger]

I think that there are a few factors that maybe play into this a bit, and one of them is appealing to a bigger crowd. I love Hip-Hop/Rap but there are alot of people who do not and have a negative view of it in general, and some of them do not want their kids listening to it. I don't agree with this but I think that to appease those folks the WWE figures that Hip-Hop only plays to certain people whereas Rock or Pop is probably appealing to a larger group of people. Also I think that there are less Hip-Hop songs that would work well as a PPV theme, the themes tend to be faster and upbeat in general and that's another reason why Rock and Pop fit that bill better than any other genres.

 

[DexVendetta88]

I do like hip-hop/rap as much as anyone, but I feel that they should use it sparingly for major PPVs (i.e. WrestleMania) to gain a wider audience. However, I feel that they should just stick to rock music for everything else because rock has always been associated with wrestling since the '80s (anyone remember "Rock-N-Wrestling" lol?!) plus there's just this energy that rock music produces which cannot be done in hip-hop/rap.

 

[trashboy]

No. Rap / hip hop is one of the worst types of music around. Even the rock songs they always choose seem to blow. I just wish they'd go back to using production tracks or get Johnston to write the music for the ppvs. Besides that, alot of the themes they choose for the ppvs don't seem to really fit the theme of the show anyway. I hated the songs that Flo Rida did, they were just horrible. But if I even watch a ppv, i don't watch them for the music they choose anyway. I'm not going to hear a good song and go yeah, I must get the ppv now. So I guess it doesn't matter to me.

 

[dperez2006_24]

think they should use rap and hip hop because all of the top 25 for billboard and MTV are rap or hip hop songs....its been a long time since country been a #1 song..my fav song that i thought fit the PPV was cyber sunday song by Propane Nightmares by Pendulum, wasn't rap but more pop and it gave it an internet feel atleast thats how i saw it....Click Click Boom, my way or the highway fit good for there respective Wrestlemanias...the worse was done by Viscera aka Cee low...horrible song and he looked like the world's largest love machine lol

 

[akrassikauda]

the worse was done by Viscera aka Cee low...horrible song and he looked like the world's largest love machine lol

He looked more like Moe and Oscar with a heavy duty yard bag on than Mabel.

Hip Hop songs need to fit a PPV for it to be used more it's not about banning a certain type of music or artist to keep the censors happy in my opinion just look at Nickelback they have the RAW theme song they also have on the same album the dirtiest song since Doo Doo Brown "Something In Your Mouth" and Mark Henry uses Three 6 Mafia it's just PPV themes that needs to be fixed.

Or if they hate Hip Hop/Rap the West Texas Rednecks had a big hit years ago.

 

[Azane]

The problem with Rap is that they usually have announcers talking throughout the show, having the stereotypical rap beat, and an artist trying to rap being drowned out by "IM MICHAEL COLE GIVE ME ATTENTION" being yelled over the track makes it indistinguishable, and that's my main problem with rap music in general, is that the lyrics always get drowned out by something that dilutes the meaning.

Rock Songs have much more variation in their tuning and style, so they work much better as background filler when you're playing the song behind a cheering audience and Michael Cole being Michael Cole.

 

[Archangel_Haven]

Wrong scene for rap, honestly. All the wrestlers who have been associated with rap have been walking jokes (am i the only one happy that Cena the rapper character is not really around anymore?)

Need more hard rock, more metal.

 

[candy girl]

funny that some brought this up, because i posted a topic yesterday about '' what was you all's favorite wrestlemania theme song, i guess my thread wasn't as important as the op thread was because i looked to see if it was posted on the forums and it wasn't there, so i'm guessing i did something wrong..... anyhoo i'm glad that someone out there was thinking like i was, the whole rap/hiphop thing yes i can see how some aren't fond of it, i myself like rap but not the new stuff that's out, i'm more of an old school type of rap/hiphop fan........ however wwe using rap artist songs for there ppv's isn't suprising at all, look at the demographic of their audience, it mostly children/ preteens that watch now, so they can relate to certain songs, i myself in all actuality don't really care for the rock bands that they have used in the past for wrestlemania, with maybe the exception of drowning pool, and limp biskt....... which makes me wonder what will the theme song be for this year's wrestlemania, i think they should give the fans a chance to pick the theme song for wrestlemania 28 this year since cena vs the rock is such a huge deal, and if that was at all possible my choice would be, IN THE AIR TONIGHT !!! BY PHIL COLLINS.

 

[multiverseman.com]

Agreed. More rap, less nu-metal. We need to stop acting like rap is still heavily stigmatized like it was. People like groups like Black Eye Peas, and Lil Wayne & Eminem, Jay-Z. We definitely need more.

 

[chilly]

To be honest, I don't even think the WWE cares. I believe it's the record labels who are contacting WWE & paying for their music to be used by them. Thus the reason why they plugged Flo Rida's album 324737614713747813904 times.

I'm sure the record label see that the audience that watch WWE are the same audience that buy Flo Rida's music so they set something up with WWE. Oh, & regardless if we like it or not. The more you hear a song over & over, the more it will stick & you will catch yourself singing it in your head.

 

[Headman]

It's strange but I haven't even been paying attention to the ppv theme songs. I'm not a fan of this kind of music but I'll take it over Nickleback anyday. I can just tune bad hip hop out, but bad indy rock is another story for me. If a genie popped out of a bottle and gave me 3 wishes I might waste on of them on getting the classic survivor series, wrestlemania, summer slam and Royal Rumble themes back and stop using "popular" music.

 

[Dalinkwent]

While I like Hip Hop, the current Hip Hop scene is garbage so it would be my last choice for PPV themes. What WWE needs is harder edge songs that get's the blood pumping when you hear it, the music WWE uses now sounds like the crap they use in trailers for those made for T.V Lifetime movies. PPV themes should get you pumped and ready for the big event, not make you think about the club.

 

[Fireball93]

We need more metal. Alter Bridge, even though it was for Edge, has been the best band WWE has showcased. I remember when Fozzy had a PPV song and so did Airbourne. Honestly I don't care what songs they pick anymore, I don't even notice. I couldn't tell you any of the last artists or songs for any PPVs. But the overall music discussion is for another day. Honestly it doesn't matter, no one cares what the songs are because all the hip hop songs they pick suck. There are very few that don't.

 

[Paralyzer Z]

It really doesn't depend on the genre but of the theme of the song

Most feuds in WWE tend top be bitter rivals who want to beat each other up (on second thought that applies to ALL of wrestling.) The production crew and their video packages use the mostly grim messages and sounds of the Rock genre songs to give the feud a quick "these guys hate each other" feeling before the match. For example at SS 2007 when HHH returned a hip hop song about Women was playing a lot when his face was on the promotional poster and it was hard to take serious. Hip Hop music fits with Wrestlemania giving it the ultimate mainstream feel, creating a special atmosphere.

The theme song of a PPV does not play a factor in the quality of the event, and whatever genre it is the theme (message) of the song needs to fit the situation and create a "hate each other feud" feelings (Rock/Heavy metal) or a big feeling with mainstream Hip Hop playing.

Should we see more Hip hop? I think it should always be saved for the big 4 PPVs once again to make them feel special (unless it is a kickass rock song like living in a dream for last year's Royal Rumble.

 

[Martin Gabriel]

i liked the days when wwe used saliva,disturbed,drowning pool and puddle of mud the rap and hip hop songs don't really fit the wwe

I specifically bought a Saliva album because they used one of their tracks for Survivor Series 2002. Well, two if you count the fact they performed "King of the World" live for Chris Jericho's entrance.

I'm way more into modern rock than I am hip-hop, so I am disappointed they've been employing the latter more often lately. However, some hip-hop artists I enjoy, like that C-Lo Green fellow has some pretty catchy tunes. And I almost always enjoy the cheesy, inspirational songs they pick for WrestleMania, like "I'm On My Way" or whatever it was called.

 

[Dagger Dias]

I'd like to see a larger variety of PPV themes because if they allowed a more unique group of bands to potentially provide a theme then it grants exposure to more types of musical acts who could benefit from it. Having more rap oriented themes would also appeal to different people than a generic rock/pop song would. Granted rock and pop are more popular overall, but WWE should try to please different groups of people. If the matches are good enough then having a rap song instead of a rock song is not going to make a large number of people change their mind about buying the show. As long as the song is not lyrically offensive then they honestly could use a song from any genre. It's good for the bands to get exposure and what genre of song to use should be one of the last things WWE are worried about. Make people care about the matches.

 

[kokoBawesome]

I'd say its a pretty fair distribution, which is being generous considering the WWE is basically run by old white people. Hip hop is the dominant form of music in popular culture right now, and energetic rock music is at a lull. If its a fifty fifty split rock fans should feel lucky.

But really though, do you really give a shit what crappy song the WWE plays between pay per view segments? You never hear the entire song and the announcers are going to talk over it anyway. Aren't you more offended by being a grown man watching a violent wrestling match thats brought to you by Skittles or Nerf Guns?

 

[ITALIAN NYC]

I didnt know people even cared about it. I dont realize half the time what the songs are because I dont pay attention to it. Rap Rock Country , doesnt really matter.

I doubt that people are going to buy a PPV based on what the song playing in the background is. The wrestling appeals to people, not the music.

 

[Da Solo]

I agree. WWE PPV's (to me at least) always sound like the same generic rock song over and over again and it annoys me. WWE could use a nice, powerful hip-hop theme for once (Cee-Lo is technically a rapper who just so happens to sing good, but he's a genre bending act so I don't give them full credit. As for Flo-Rida, he is one of the worst examples to use a a good rapper).

But if they do use rap, they need to stray away from these Billboard top 40 acts (i.e. Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane and all that crap) and play some REAL Hip-hop (I would delve further into that, but there's a music thread for that.)

For example, I think these songs would have worked well as the SS theme this year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eomJRVGLxX0

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSQUfTBcOu4

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEk4HAdMUgA

 

[MistaSynista]

As long as Method Man doesn't come out singing the Rock's intro at Wrestlemania, I can care less. Right now rap is dominating chart sales. Where as the early-mid 90s it was Alternative and before that it was pop and before that Rock. They are probably looking into what they think people are into at the time. So bottom line, I can care less if they use hip hop or not but please not another WWF Aggression.

 

[Youngsleez]

realistically looking at how the wwe is a business and how i'd say 84-88% of most advertisers use hip hop songs, hip hop like songs, or just a hip hop type instrumental to get their business over in MAIN STREAM America, I don't see the problem in why the WWE wouldn't use more hip hop songs. Also what John Cena was doing (was and should never be considered hip hop under no circumstance) did gain some attention and even made sales for the WWE (even though it was a whack impersonation of hip hop). The fact is I do not see the problem in having more PPV's use appropriate hip hop themes. The major issue I do find that I think the WWE has found and will argue is the fact that the N word does become a hot button, and with the WWE being a PG program, it's hard to work around that. Looking at the geared audience is family based now, its hard to shuffle through good Hip Hop songs (not rap) that can come across as marketable for the WWE with out a constant mute on the N word. I'm sure N*gg*s Bleed Just Like Us by Notorious B.I.G. would have went well for the Extreme Rules PPV if you didn't have to bleep everything out. Some songs would be a PR nightmare. I mean Nuck if You Buck by Lil Jon would be awesome for the TLC PPV but once again, a hot button for PR. Seriously could you imagine a Wrestler like David Otonga or Kofi coming out to N*gg*S in Paris by Kanye and Jay. Number 1 it a get to many parents in a up roar, two people would be to hype. Who dosen't want to knock a mofo out when Mark Henry music starts playing?

 

[Nate DaMac]

You guys actually pay attention to this shit? They haven't used a passable song for a PPV since like, 2003. I could care less if it's Hip Hop or Rock, I'd rather it just not suck.

Shit they nearly killed Wrestlemania for me by using that shit "Written in the Stars" song this year. But until they start putting Justin Bieber and poppy shit like that in the mix(and honestly, mainstream Hip Hop is only like half a step above Justin Bieber) I won't care in the slightest what music they use.

 

[Brahma_Bull9]

I do like hip-hop/rap as much as anyone, but I feel that they should use it sparingly for major PPVs (i.e. WrestleMania) to gain a wider audience. However, I feel that they should just stick to rock music for everything else because rock has always been associated with wrestling since the '80s (anyone remember "Rock-N-Wrestling" lol?!) plus there's just this energy that rock music produces which cannot be done in hip-hop/rap.

This is bullshit you don't know what you are talking about...

They are playing some country or easy listening Rock, i wouldn't even call the shit they play rock. Flo Rida, I wouldn't consider him hip-hop either he is pop, but I know people will say I'm splitting hairs. However, that is why him and Cool J are doing these things and not say guys like Royce Da 5'9''. Anyways, mainstream hip-hop is dead so at this point it just doesn't make sense to go to because the shit they play on the radio does not go well with a sports atmosphere.

WWE needs to do something about the music though imo, but I know that's not going to happen. They are going to keep playing it safe with this cult of personality sounding garbage

BTW Punks promo's are as corny as that song is. Really? A straight edge dude is the "rebel" of the company this is the biggest load of trash I've been fed in awhile.

 

[Brahma_Bull9]

realistically looking at how the wwe is a business and how i'd say 84-88% of most advertisers use hip hop songs, hip hop like songs, or just a hip hop type instrumental to get their business over in MAIN STREAM America, I don't see the problem in why the WWE wouldn't use more hip hop songs. Also what John Cena was doing (was and should never be considered hip hop under no circumstance) did gain some attention and even made sales for the WWE (even though it was a whack impersonation of hip hop). The fact is I do not see the problem in having more PPV's use appropriate hip hop themes. The major issue I do find that I think the WWE has found and will argue is the fact that the N word does become a hot button, and with the WWE being a PG program, it's hard to work around that. Looking at the geared audience is family based now, its hard to shuffle through good Hip Hop songs (not rap) that can come across as marketable for the WWE with out a constant mute on the N word. I'm sure N*gg*s Bleed Just Like Us by Notorious B.I.G. would have went well for the Extreme Rules PPV if you didn't have to bleep everything out. Some songs would be a PR nightmare. I mean Nuck if You Buck by Lil Jon would be awesome for the TLC PPV but once again, a hot button for PR. Seriously could you imagine a Wrestler like David Otonga or Kofi coming out to N*gg*S in Paris by Kanye and Jay. Number 1 it a get to many parents in a up roar, two people would be to hype. Who dosen't want to knock a mofo out when Mark Henry music starts playing?

WTF are you rambling on about? Good hip hop not rap.... first of all what is the distinction... second of all if you are going to make the distinction Knuck if you Buck is not hip hop and thirdly not by Lil Jon.