Math Hoffa cohost says if lyricism was the thing like back in the days Kendrick Lamar wouldn’t be up there like that .

[threattonature]

So do you view this as a bad thing? I feel like I’m looked at as “non hip hop” for thinking Drake performed better in the battle precisely for this reason. It’s weird to me that a party song with average bars beats a song with much better overall bars. To me the technical stuff rings off louder in a battle then it does when I wanna hear some overall great music.

Yes I do. Kendrick was breaking Drake all the way down. There are times for punchlines and the like but when a nikka is calling you an alcoholic, culture vulture, misogynist, a wannabe bad bytch that has masculinity problems and more; short jokes ain't gone cut it for me in a battle. Kendrick went beyond just merely clowning Drake and was speaking to his soul and changed the way a lot of people even look at dude now. Drake's disses were more surface level or shyt Kendrick has already said about himself.

Drake's best disses in the battle were to other people IMO.

 

[Kaypain]

Here we with the Lebron effect...

 

[TheJet]

Check the homie out on this verse. Multis odee

 

[Illmagic]

Yes I do. Kendrick was breaking Drake all the way down. There are times for punchlines and the like but when a nikka is calling you an alcoholic, culture vulture, misogynist, a wannabe bad bytch that has masculinity problems and more; short jokes ain't gone cut it for me in a battle. Kendrick went beyond just merely clowning Drake and was speaking to his soul and changed the way a lot of people even look at dude now. Drake's disses were more surface level or shyt Kendrick has already said about himself.

Drake's best disses in the battle were to other people IMO.

Thats fine and I don’t view that opinion as non hip hop.They were both dope in the battle. I don’t want to get in a battle debate as I know it’s been done to death. I’m more so trying to create a clear definition of what’s a lyricist so we can have a real discussion. fukk who won, who was the lyricist in the battle. The straight forward potent venom or the witty punchlines, and rhyme schemes?

 

[Knicksman20]

I still think Clark Kent's definition of an emcee vs rapper is the best

Time stamped but the whole vid is good:

 

[FreshAIG]

Explain this. What were artist worried about back then?

And what was it specifically about "lyricism" back then that made it superior or made the competition more fierce? Are we talking word gymnastics?
Or are we talking messaging in the lyrics? I'm not so clear...

One thing I noticed there's a lack of in the modern MC more than Mcs of the 90s and prior is lack of cohesiveness in their rapping. These nikkas switch topics every line without any transitions, and they not even doing it in a artistic/abstract way like Nas did sometimes, it's like they have ADHD.

This is something even rappers who weren't considered lyricist back in the day did. fukk "lyricism" these nikkas just not good song writers.

 

[Lil Bape the PostGod]

“Couldn’t try me in the tri state”

Kendrick lyricism

 

[ItzDaKiing]

Disagree because even tho I don't like Kendrick last 2 efforts. He still had a top 3 catalogue for any MC of all time. Most lyrical rappers struggle with making good music consistently. Kendrick damn near had a 4-5 album perfect streak. Not even Nas the GOAT did that. Not Hov. Only a group did that in rap. Outkast until Idlewild.

Wtf are you smoking?

 

[Amestafuu (Emeritus)]

Wtf are you smoking?

Reality. You should take a hit.

 

[TAYLONDO SAMSWORTHY]

I can see where the logic is coming from but, with the way music is these days, its impressive for Kendrick to be this successful and NOT chasing the clubs.

The nikka actually has substance and makes art and does numbers. Thats hellla impressive

 

[Nigerianwonder]

So do you view this as a bad thing? I feel like I’m looked at as “non hip hop” for thinking Drake performed better in the battle precisely for this reason. It’s weird to me that a party song with average bars beats a song with much better overall bars. To me the technical stuff rings off louder in a battle then it does when I wanna hear some overall great music.

You are correct. Lyricism is about witty wordplay and in a rap battle it can be in how you can flip bar from you opponent in a response. This is why Jay is the goat with his witty sports bars that go over most peoples heads. Lyrically, family matters was the best of the back and forth. The white boy line flip, the prince and Micheal flip etc. Hats off to drake on that. Not like us was the best overall song though.

 

[TripleAgent]

Easy; still on my first cup off coffee but here it go off top



the entire BCC minus ruck and rock.


so that's what like 7 rappers already?


Buckshot
Tek
Steele
Louiveville
starang
top dog



Can't forgot the Lost Boyz (RIP FREAKY TAH)
oh and of course...the king of all kings being remedial rap.....DAS EFX



MY HIP BONE CONNECTED TO MY HIP BONE.....ELBOW CONNECTED TO MY ELDOW.....DOO HHAAA HHA SKIDDILY WAK SKIDDLY WACK DOO




same guys who have a single called

"Real hip hop tho"

Don't switch up now. You said "legends and classic abums". Let's hear 10 NY classics without good lyricism. I can think of one and a possible. Let's hear it.

Your BS troll answer wasn't even accurate. Smif N Wessun and Buckshot have been good lyricists their whole careers, and Das EFX rapped their asses off when they got bit to death and abandoned the "iggidy" gimmick. Their Hold It Down album is fire.

 

[Swahili P'Bitek]

“Can you picture my prophecy?
Stress in the city, the cops on top of me
the projects is full of bullets, tho bodies is droppin’ there ain’t no stopping me.
Constantly moving while making millions, witnessing killings, leaving dead bodies in abandoned buildings.
Can’t reach the children cuz they illin’; addicted to killing and the appeal of the cap peeling.
Without feeling, but will they last or be blasted? Hard headed b*stard.
Maybe he’ll listen in his casket?”

No “wordplay” but potent lyrics that mean something, internal rhyme, multi syllable rhyme schemes

There are so many examples of being a lyricist that one barometer isn’t the be all to end all

How can people claim Pac isn't lyrical after verses like these, do people listen to music inversely or what. The thing is, with rappers people claim are lyrical masters, you go listen to their songs and they don't hit as hard as this.

 

[Illmagic]

How can people claim Pac isn't lyrical after verses like these, do people listen to music inversely or what. The thing is, with rappers people claim are lyrical masters, you go listen to their songs and they don't hit as hard as this.

The first verse from If I die tonight is another example. Pac could get busy from a technical standpoint point too

 

[TheJet]

NY classic. Not very "lyrical". But fire nonetheless
You not gon tell me that Kenny ain't a better rapper than these 2