>and say Em's catalogue seems to reflect not being influenced
>by music in general, not just black music.


An artist of any genre needs to have some kind of foundation, some grounding, in past genres. This is obviously important in hip hop because of sampling


I can actually tell what kind of music an MC was listening to based on the kind of beats they choose.


>
>I'd bet some of the emo/indie white guy set like Buck 65, Sage
>Francis, etc. are fans of folk-poet types like Bob Dylan



^^^ love this




>There are definitely rappers white, black, and otherwise
>influenced by great music that isn't black music



I'm sure there are. But they exist on the periphery of hip hop. I can't think of a single canonized rapper not influenced in some way by the black music tradition.




>
>I think Eminem is a fan and student of rapping only; I would
>be surprised to learn he's ever been invested in any non-rap
>genre period.



Yup same here.... in that way, he reminds me of a LOT of fans/rappers in 2013