RAP is only interesting to me when the production on the track is actually good. This is the difference between wanting to listen to spoken word and an actual music track. If the beat feels flat (which most vanilla acts fall victim too), I just pass. I think this is what changed between now and the early/mid 90's. Lot of the modern day Rap/Hip Hop act are just not interesting sounding. You have to dig for the good stuff but you could say that bout' a lot of other genres too.
The Roots - You Got Me (I love the collaboration on this track. I fucking love Erykah Badu)
The Roots - Rising Up
I'm thinking The Roots isn't straight up Rap though. Screw it, more Roots love is all good.