Lets talk about KRS-One being the most overrated oldschool lyricist
- Thread starter Black Ball
- Start date
Anyone who think's KRS is a poor lyricist don't know shyt about lyrics.
KRS was ahead of his time lyrically. I am not saying technically or skill wise. He was ahead of his time as far as content and what he was saying. Thats what made him so dope. Its hard comparing greats because they all were great in their own way. He was always about that battle shyt too. While LL was talkin bout making more than your pops and Ra was moving the crowd....Kris was talkin bout teachers teach and kings just rule and what is a king without a crown. He just took it some place else. They all played their part. Just like I told this dude that Kool Keith got nikkas to spit without rhyming....his response was that evolution is regardless. My point was just because evolution is inevitable...still it takes a lot to be a pioneer and that should be recognized. KRS did a lot of shyt that was just dope. From keeping the name as BDP to blending in the reggae flavor. He was different but still acceptable to the casual fan. Everyone has their favorites. My fav lyricist is G Rap...but when I talk to people and they say their favorite MC is KRS, I can absolutely see where they are comin from.
*L*E*G*A*C*Y*
Done.
Can't rock with this thread. KRS will always have his place in hip-hop and rightfully so. Not only by being a pioneer, but continuing to stay relevant in some way shape or form in the culture.
Criminal Minded - Classic
By All Means Necessary - Classic
Ghetto Music - Classic or near Classic (depending on your opinion)
Edutainment - Class or near Classic (depending on your opinion)
Sex & Violence - near Classic
Return of the Boom Bap - Classic
KRS-ONE - I wouldn't argue it's a classic, but it's DOPE
The stuff KRS has released from 1997-2013 has been a mixed bag, but you can say that about basically any old-school emcee. It is a product of not having top-notch production (working on a shoestring budget means you can't get the best producers, and even if you do, you can't pay for the necessary sample clearances). He's still produced a lot of dope songs to go along with the more questionable material. I'd rather some new, quality material to listen to than nothing at all.
KRS has as much quality in higher quantity
On the other hand, I think of all GOAT candidates (with the exception of Biggie), Rakim has the thinnest catalogue
Paid in Full had 7 songs that Rakim rapped on. Follow the Leader had 8.
Even The 18th Letter, which was released in the late 1990s when 14-20 songs was the norm, had 10 songs if you discount the skits and remixes.
Rakim also had only a small handful of guest appearances
I am not sure what the basis is for this argument.
Sure, KRS might have some songs where his lyrics are more simplistic (they are often the reggae-flavored songs)
But he also has songs that, lyrically, are as good as anything I've heard from Kane, G Rap or Rakim
For example, "Poetry"
Sure, KRS might have some songs where his lyrics are more simplistic (they are often the reggae-flavored songs)
But he also has songs that, lyrically, are as good as anything I've heard from Kane, G Rap or Rakim
For example, "Poetry"
So what exactly do you think makes for a good lyricist? Is it cramming a bunch of punchlines and multi-syllabic rhymes together? Or is it making whatever point you want to make in a smooth, coherent, well-crafted way that connects with listeners and evokes certain emotions?
In my opinion, it is a combination of all these things. Different emcees/lyricists shine in different ways.
For instance, is the song "Paid in Full" the work of a top-notch lyricist? Not many punchlines. Not a very complex rhyme scheme. But it's something you feel. The story and the imagery make the song.
What about "Eric B. is President"? Was that very "lyrical"?
I think, based on what many of you probably have in mind as far as being "lyrical", Kane and G Rap would have been the best. Kane had the best punchlines, G Rap had the multi-syllabic rhyme schemes. And with their rapid-fire deliveries, you come away impressed by the skill it takes to spit what they did.
Rakim didn't have rhyme schemes as intricate as G Rap or Kane, and he didn't have the punchlines. But he was a great lyricist because of the content of what he said.
I'd say the same about KRS, but in a different way.
In my opinion, it is a combination of all these things. Different emcees/lyricists shine in different ways.
For instance, is the song "Paid in Full" the work of a top-notch lyricist? Not many punchlines. Not a very complex rhyme scheme. But it's something you feel. The story and the imagery make the song.
What about "Eric B. is President"? Was that very "lyrical"?
I think, based on what many of you probably have in mind as far as being "lyrical", Kane and G Rap would have been the best. Kane had the best punchlines, G Rap had the multi-syllabic rhyme schemes. And with their rapid-fire deliveries, you come away impressed by the skill it takes to spit what they did.
Rakim didn't have rhyme schemes as intricate as G Rap or Kane, and he didn't have the punchlines. But he was a great lyricist because of the content of what he said.
I'd say the same about KRS, but in a different way.
Last edited:
Headcase
The Angry Young Man
Big fan of KRS, even though to me the last listenable project he dropped was Survival Skills (and even that wasn't as good as Hip-Hop Lives, which was the last album I actually bought from him). But yeah, anybody saying KRS isn't lyrical obviously doesn't know what they're talking about.
MoneyBags
Dapper Don Don Boss of Bosses Chief of Chiefs
the reason why I rate G Rap so high as a lyricist (close 2nd to Rakim) is because listen to G Rap now...in 2013. He is still getting work. Was on the Iron Fists soundtrack. G Rap has NEVER lost a step. Listen to Rakim in the 2000's. Listen to BDK. Their skill set is from the 90's. They cant rap today. Even if you look at someone like Prodigy or Pusha...guys that came after G Rap and are much younger in rap years...they have regressed and are not as lyrically potent as they once were. G Rap is still lyrically potent. KRS is not as potent as he once was but he aint totally fell off either.
Shammago
By Any Means
Well at the end of the day, I'd rather listen KRS ONE'S worst album than than the best wack rapper out today.
KRS ONE will never be overrated in my book and will always be a legend
KRS ONE will never be overrated in my book and will always be a legend
Rakim Allah
Superstar
Rakim's rhyme schemes were more intricate than G Rap and Kane. Just cause Ra didn't use punchlines like G Rap and Kane didn't mean is rhyme scheme were less complex. If all his songs were like Eric B is Pres and Paid in Full, you'd have point, but not with songs like Follow The Leader, Lyrics of Fury and Let the Rhythm Hit Em to name a few. He is the master and innovator of the internal rhyme in hip hop for a reason. G Rap and Kane were big on punchlines while Ra was kickin the metaphors.
Rakim Allah
Superstar
Again quality over quanity...even on KRS classic albums he would have filler.
So you would rather had Rakim put some filler joints on 18th Letter so could have 14-20 songs. Cats had mad filler on good to great albums with 14-20 songs during that time. Universal should of left those 2 wack remixes at the end of 18th Letter. Rakim has a lot less wack joints than KRS because he folllowed the quality over quanity motto.
Ra has killled those small handful of guest appearances...ask Canibus, WC, Mobb Deep, Jody Watley or Alicia Keys. As for having guests on his albums...doesn't need em.
I don't think KRS has ever made a filler song honestly, every song hes ever made has a point to it and he's not one to reuse rhymes or make CDs for $ or any of that so I really dont know what you are talking about (guy above me^).
If anything, there is filler on 18th letter... (wouldn't call it filler but some stuff on there I'd skip before anything KRS ever made)
If anything, there is filler on 18th letter... (wouldn't call it filler but some stuff on there I'd skip before anything KRS ever made)