Can we discuss how Roc Marciano brought the “soul” back to the underground scene

[Piff Perkins]

I think for a lot of people, underground once meant "backpacker." IE some dude rapping about Africa while secretly getting his dikk sucked by a pawg in a Days Inn. That shifted as Cole, Kendrick, KRIT, and even Drake showed up IMO. The line between "underground/not on radio" and "mainstream" started disappearing.

I def agree Roc knocked that barrier down for rappers even more than them. All the dudes I mentioned initially had some type of mainstream appeal or potential, whereas Roc was always straight up gutter and never tried to be anything else. You can't call him corny or conscious. You can't call him a bum...he always rapped about flashy shyt. You can't call him boring either. He broke all the stereotypes and birthed a generation of rappers.

 

[mortuus est]

gonna listen to the album now

 

[Mowgli]

Blu was already here

 

[Newark88]

Is Roc still considered underground though?

Of course, Roc's music only appeals to a niche audience.

 

[T.H.E. Goat]

Roc opened the lane back up for smooth, lyrical, street rappers

 

[chiefdogg]

Godfather to Griselda's style and that's not taking nothing anyone from them.

 

[Newark88]