Wowee. These comments are ancient. It's like discovering a tomb. The music is cool, if fleeting. I enjoyed this -- it suited my attention span perfectly.
It was not a question if he predated rap or not, any buffoon can figure that out. If you cannot see the correlation between hip-hop and his music postdating it your ears may need to be checked. Eno is an innovator, and as such understood how to appreciate others innovating after him, such as NY post punk, Fela Kuti's Afro-beat or the Electronica of the 80's and 90's, all of which he was associated with. No man is an island. Go read a book and learn what you are spouting your mouth about.
All things of Quality are durable through Time; I have been listening to Eno and buying his vinyl for over 40 years. He is fearless and deep, and will not fade away easily; but rap is shallow, weak, and cheap, and already is fading away. The Valkyrie is on to this. She cannot be ignorant, and appreciate Eno at the same time. Impossible.
And by the way, anyone see "Thursday Afternoon" anywhere?