I would just like to say this...
Anybody who says rap/hip-hop isn't music is out of their minds. I'm seeing a lot of very sterotypical views on this subject. People are saying rappers arn't musicians because they don't play instruments. Well like it or not, but your voice
IS an instrument. Otherwise, people like Vince Neil, Sebastian Bach, Eddie Vedder, Mic Jagger, all wouldn't be musicians. Also Rappers have a lot more to do with the creation of their music, than just coming into the studio, and rapping some words. You'd be supprised just how much they do.
Also when it comes to their songwriting, some of the lyrics they come up with are brilliant. Real life stories, translated into music. Also to say that they all sound the same is ridiculous. You can't say Eminem's "Loose Yourself" sounds like DMX's "Party Up".
Also, someone said try to play an instrument and see how hard that is, well I challenge that person to try to freestyle and see how difficult that is.
I agree with Sparx. Any REAL musician respects every aspect of music. From the beats of rap, to the guitars of rock, to the steel drums of calypso. You don't say something isn't music just because you don't like it.
Alsooo...someone said, "You really can't base true hip hop talent on artist who make a living by talking about sex, money, and drugs". Well that's what a boatload of rock is about.

A lot of Hairmetal bands made a good living by singing about sex, money, drugs, partying....etc.