OK, so my angle on this isn't exactly unbiased :rolleyes: , but it is a genuine question.

 

e.g. songs like J-Lo - On The Floor, Katy Perry - California Gurls, Cascada - Evacuate The Dancefloor.

 

My view is that rap-free versions could potentially generate significant extra sales, at minimal cost to the record company.

 

While the above three aren't the best examples, as the went to #1 *anyway*, ISTM the benefits would surely outweigh the costs for less popular songs.

I agree, they would get more sales if the non rap versions played on the radio were available to buy.

I must admit I'm intrigued as to why several of you think there shouldn't be non-rap versions? Surely it would be a win/win situation for both the artist & the record company, as it would generate extra sales from 'rap-haters' like myself? ;)

 

 

Edited June 8, 201114 yr by vidcapper

Surely these versions exist anyway? Aren't there several radio stations that boycott rap sections entirely and cut them out, even if it means mangling the tracks?

Surely these versions exist anyway? Aren't there several radio stations that boycott rap sections entirely and cut them out, even if it means mangling the tracks?

 

Yes, but those versions are rarely available to buy...

I'm not sure there'd be very much of a market for this - for instance Price Tag has a version without BOB on the Now album but it hasn't been cherry-picked much at all. But yes, there'd be no harm in creating extra versions.

Yes from me. Most of the time the rapper just spoils the song

Yes, sometimes It can spoil a record. for example Katy Perry - E.T. Sometimes it does add to it though like in California Gurls.

 

 

But yes the option there would be good! And would surely add more sales.

It depends on the song. I mean, On The Floor for me is so much better with Pitbull's rap in it. The non-rap version is still great but it lacks something.

Some songs do sound better without the rap though.

I must admit I'm intrigued as to why several of you think there shouldn't be non-rap versions? Surely it would be a win/win situation for both the artist & the record company, as it would generate extra sales from 'rap-haters' like myself? ;)

Agree and in all cases, both versions should be put up for sale.

 

Each offer different takes on the song and sometimes they're better without the rapper (J-Lo's OTF; The Saturday's Higher) but on other occassions better with the rapper (Jessie's PT [horrendous in the bridge without B.o.B] and Burke's BB).

I'm not sure there'd be very much of a market for this - for instance Price Tag has a version without BOB on the Now album but it hasn't been cherry-picked much at all. But yes, there'd be no harm in creating extra versions.

The song you picked there is probably the worst example of this - PT without B.o.B as I stated above is horrendous because of that silly, incandescent La La La at the bridge which makes it sound like a 5 year old is singing the song.

 

There *must* be a market for this given the amount of radio stations (that have good audience impressions) that play the non-rap versions, whether that be an official non-rap version or a station-only mangled version where they've removed the rap themselves.

 

A no-brainer if you ask me, as for presumably minimal effort they will open up the track to a bigger market. Unless artistically the song has been developed with the rapper already in, and creatively the label can't work it back to a non-rap version.

I think they should actually, it would please fans who don't like the rap verse and would add some extra sales

I am sure all current songs with a featured rapper have a non rap version but intruth I think it is ridiculous that Heart, Magic and R2 will religiously stick to playing the non rap included versions of songs as though Rap represents the Devil.

A big fat yes from me, for the most part a rap section ruins or at least detracts from my enjoyment of a song, so I'd be all for having rap free versions released for purchase. I know a lot of songs already have them, but they often aren't for sale.

I've said I don't care because it very much depends on the song. Though I struggle to think of any songs that don't sound far worse without the rapper other than ones which had a rapper added for the single release (eg. Eyes Wide Shut, Bright Lights Bigger City). I think most 'pop artist feat. rent-a-rapper' songs would sound empty without the rapper.

I am sure all current songs with a featured rapper have a non rap version but intruth I think it is ridiculous that Heart, Magic and R2 will religiously stick to playing the non rap included versions of songs as though Rap represents the Devil.

 

That's ridiculous... it's just one of his minions... :P

 

Seriously though, they know their audience will switch off in droves if they play any rap.

Edited June 8, 201114 yr by vidcapper

Radio 2 DO play songs with rap in them though, I have heard On The Floor and I'm Into You played many times. They could just be big J-Lo fans though :lol:

They also played Higher by Taio Cruz and Kylie with Travie McCoy once or twice too.

Seriously though, they know their audience will switch off in droves if they play any rap.

 

I highly doubt that... maybe if they played a proper rap song, but not just a song with a short rap verse!

 

I wonder if these older audience radio stations will die off when the current generation grows up.

Edited June 8, 201114 yr by Bray

YES! I only bought Price Tag when I discovered the b.o.b. free version, and I genuinley cant stand rap. I would buy more songs as a result instead of spening years looking for them and having to listen to them on youtube.

I can understand why they don't with some songs. But with songs like On the Floor and California Gurls, I cannot fathom why the non-rap versions aren't up for download. Such versions clearly exist, because I hear them on the radio every day. It makes no sense that people can't buy them. It's just stupid imo. They're losing money from it too.

 

The only advantage I can see is that only having one version increases the chance of the song getting the top 10 effect on iTunes.

 

I highly doubt that... maybe if they played a proper rap song, but not just a song with a short rap verse!

 

I wonder if these older audience radio stations will die off when the current generation grows up.

 

Not sure about Radio 2, but even Heart FM, I can understand them not wanting to play N-Dubz or Wiz Khalifa, but I highly doubt songs such as Airplanes, or the original version of Empire State of Mind would scare away their listeners. It just pisses me off so much with Heart. They just hear rapping in a song an instantly refuse to play it. The closest I've heard to rap on there in recent years is I Gotta Feeling and Meet Me Halfway which they played a lot in 2010.

Edited June 8, 201114 yr by Eric_Blob