atlheatholder's Blog

Lyricism in Rap

By atlheatholder | View all Posts
Posted Wednesday, October 14, 2009 07:03 AM   22 comments
The recent issue of XXL magazine (Jay-Z on the cover) had a decent (but short) article on lyricism in rap music.  I, for one, think lyricism is tremendously important - but obviously others do not, and I don't understand why.
 
To those who listen to, and know rap music well, what is your take on the importance of lyricism in rap?
 
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Henry-Lilly says:
10/14/09 07:32PM
The absolute butchering of a language is not lyricism, it's cultural regression.
atlheatholder says:
10/14/09 07:39PM

Knew it wouldn't be too long until somebody came through and gave their opinion on something that has nothing to do with the posted topic.   

spoondiggidy9 says:
10/15/09 02:21AM
If there is no lyricism then it isnt rap. Anyone say words but it takes talent something else to have a good flow with good lyrics in a new way or even in an old way but while still maintaining interest.

 

I dont understand why people who dont like rap come in here when it clearly says, to those who listen.

Henry-Lilly says:
10/15/09 08:59AM
It's a free country.  You are free to butcher our language and I am free to comment on it.  
atlheatholder says:
10/15/09 02:29PM

spoondiggidy9 says:
10/16/09 09:06AM

You? I dont rap, but thanks. And that saying, 'its a free country' is so played out its absurd. You not needing to come in to make a condescending comment has no regards in the matter of whether or not America is in fact free. I call it natural selection when i read the news and i call it ignorance when you generalize rap by the media stereotype.

dperr says:
10/16/09 01:32PM
Anybody can get a beat to dance to and have a catchy hook but the real rapper has the lyrics to back this up. It is sad that artists now a days have gone away from the lyrics aspect just to make that club track which has already been done.
Henry-Lilly says:
10/16/09 07:22PM


I call it Social Darwinism.  You down with that, homeboy?
Dsn150 says:
10/17/09 03:43AM

Dsn150 says:
10/17/09 03:51AM

Now I'm confused.

How best describes the highlighted passage?

A.  Rap
B.  Lyricism
C.  Butchering of a language
D.  Cultural regression

More than one answer may be correct.  





atlheatholder says:
10/17/09 07:25AM
Quick note.....

 

For those that do not like rap, or who don't listen to it - please refrain from commenting in this thread.  This thread was started to simply discuss the value/non-value of lyricism in rap.

 

glyde69 says:
10/17/09 07:52AM
Lyrics aren't everything, but they are pretty close.  While I put things like flow, beats, style, crew, and street cred into the mix, having good lyrics is the king of the jungle.
atlheatholder says:
10/17/09 08:17AM
I agree, glyde   
spoondiggidy9 says:
10/17/09 05:31PM

 

Pretty clever. I hope those 8 minutes were worth it. How's that going for you by the way--the whole being clever thing?

spoondiggidy9 says:
10/17/09 05:33PM
On a more related note, atl who in your opinion is the best lyricist or your favorite? My top three would have to be Big L, Biggie and Eminem
atlheatholder says:
10/18/09 07:33AM
Big Pun

Big L

Nas

Eminem

Phonte (Little Brother)

Elzhi

Joe Budden

 

I basically like anyone who can shit on others (verbally) and is tremendously clever in the way they do it.

 

 

hugh613 says:
10/19/09 05:16PM
I'm sorry, but best lyricists of all time, hands down, are Chuck D of Public Enemy and, to a lesser extent, Dr.Dre and Ice Cube of N.W.A. Whether you agreed with their politics or not is somewhat besides the point - at least they used the medium to convey an actual message, unlike today's generation that's all about bling and getting paid or getting crunk.
atlheatholder says:
10/19/09 05:44PM

hugh -

I agree that Chuck & the NWA squad were great with the aspect of conveying their message, but the lyricism from them wasn't but 3 (or if you really stretch it, 3 1/2) out of 5 stars.  This thread isn't about messages being conveyed - just straight lyricism & if it's important or not important to you.

 

hugh613 says:
10/19/09 07:32PM
Well, that's just plain crazy talk...

I think you're blurring the line between "lyricism" and the ability to rhyme or diss. Obviously lyrics are important, but that goes hand in hand with what's being said. 50 Cent gets off some pretty good disses, but I doubt anyone would consider him a great lyricist, let alone a great rapper. "Lyricism" to me is what's being said, and how it's being said, and no one did it better back in the day then Chuck D.

And obviously it's important, otherwise everything would end up sounding like Soulja Boy...
yuice20 says:
12/10/09 01:01AM
Agree with what most have said. To me lyricism is the most important part. Yes i do sometimes listen to a song for the beat but for the most part i can't listen to it if the words suck. And i know i might be in the minority here but Wayne to me is one of the best when it comes to lyrics
spoondiggidy9 says:
10/20/09 12:59AM
No need to bring up soulja boy's name in a lyricism conversation, even as a point of comparison for something terrible. The way to get him to die off is to just forget about him. Regardless. Lyricism doesnt really have to do with disses, when i think of lyricism i think of punch lines, flow, rhyme etc

 

Example: M.V.P Big L

 

Battles I lose none I make crews run
I get fools done, got ten fingers but only use one
My run is like Machine Gun Kelly, with a black skully
Put one in your belly, leave you smelly, then take your Pelle Pelle
I'm the neighborhood lampor, punani vamper, mess around you'll find
My silkboxers in your mommy's hamper
And nowadays girls want you for your money
I'm like Hev, I got nothing but love for you honey
And yes I'm living slick and my pockets are thick
I need surgery to get chicks removed from my (chill)
I'm coming straight out the N.Y.C., raps my J.O.B., and I'm M.V.P.

 

masemoney says:
11/06/09 04:33AM

I personally don't think it's been relevant for years.  The beat gets the blood flowin.  Sound recognition hooks the person.  Even if the words are crap, most likely still like the song.  You could throw the words 'mix it, blend it, bake it' together as the hook and it would be a top 10 hit no doubt.  I think thats why rap parady's work so well. 

I'd rather listen to motown  

 

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User: atlheatholder
Joined: May 2007
Location: United States
Team: Atlanta Braves
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