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

[Mr. Negative]

He an EXCELLENT songwriter.

"Lyricist" as far as the so-called hip hop definition goes? He's slightly above average.

That doesn't take away from his ability to craft great songs, though. Lyrically lyrical doesn't translate to great songs 7/10 times

 

[Controversy]

Nobody cares about this hater.
Like Talib Kweli said, as far as lyricists all time, its Nas and then Kendrick
As far as discography doe, It's kendrick and then Kendrick

Over a man that has Illmatic, IWW, Stillmatic, Lost Tapes, God's Son, LIG, Magic, KD2, KD3 & Magic 3...that statement is laughable

 

[Po pimp]

To me Kendrick isn’t really a lyricist he’s never had a verse where I had to run it back cause it was crazy

That makes no sense. Lyrics aren’t always about metaphors and saying something “crazy.” People say Pac wasn’t a lyricist also. Based on what criteria?

 

[BK The Great]

Math’s music is fukkin garbage, that’s all I got to say

“I’m So Special, im so special”

 

[Amo Husserl]

But lyrics ain't what's hot now.
And that been mentality to come back and bite the East Coast.
But they been using the "lyricism" argument against Kendrick for a minute.
Lyricism beat Drake, but Drake wasn't a lyricist. Not even his writers.
The West ain't a lyrical miracle hip-hop serial of drama before and after the commas.
Kendrick lyrical by West Coast standards.
But name a East Coast rapper from Kendrick's generation on his level that can bar him up.


Hate to say it, but NY got too spoiled too fast and got flabby.
If it's still about lyrics, the East Coast need to bring that back to hip-hop.
Different regions got different specialties.

 

[Bigblackted4]

He’s a better song writer than them dudes that’s the difference not lyric, he’s above average but not crazy it’s the concepts, hook writing , melodies and how shyt sticks. This argument is more of a J Cole thing

 

[Peruvian Connect]

Freaky ass nikka you a 69 god. Amazing lyricism. Jabroni whoa!!! Quoting Young Rock is astounding

 

[Neuromancer]

Neither would Math.

 

[Gilver]

If he was always trying to pull off insane rhyme schemes and punching every other bar it would probably get in the way of the point he’s trying to make most of the time.


Depends on what your definition of lyricist is...if it's stricly the schemes and punclines then yeah he's not TOP tier, but he does spinkle that kind of thing in his music here and there.

If it's the ability to WRITE LYRICS in a song that convery meaning and feeling then he's easily one of the best ever.

The fact he dumbed it down a lot on GNX and still made a great album is , versatility.

 

[hex]

No disrespect to Math but homie is a failed rapper. And dude is his co-host.

You get what I'm saying? You aren't even the most successful person on a show with a guy that failed at what you're critiquing.

Calm down.

Fred.

 

[Don Snow]

That makes no sense. Lyrics aren’t always about metaphors and saying something “crazy.” People say Pac wasn’t a lyricist also. Based on what criteria?

Wordplay equals lyricism at least to me if you see it different that’s cool everyone is entitled to an opinion


To me Lyricists after the verse leave you feeling like


But being a great lyricist doesn’t make you a great rapper

Kendrick is a great rapper and makes great music but I don’t consider him a lyricist

 

[REdefinition]

I recently realized after reading a tweet that Kendrick is a 1 syllable rapper. I never noticed, but once I started paying attention it's true. He mostly sticks to single syllable (maybe 2 here and there) rhymes. That's not the end all be all of lyricism but it's funny.

 

[Po pimp]

Wordplay equals lyricism at least to me if you see it different that’s cool everyone is entitled to an opinion


To me Lyricists after the verse leave you feeling like


But being a great lyricist doesn’t make you a great rapper

Kendrick is a great rapper and makes great music but I don’t consider him a lyricist

“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

 

[Ukbrotha]

What is the definition of a lyricist or lyricism?

 

[Stick Up Kid]

His catalog being praised as one of the best ever would have still been praised as one of the best ever.

I like Kendrick, but hes been going up against Drake, Lil Uzi Vert, Sexxy Redd, Gucci Mane, Big Sean etc

Going up against Jay Z, Nas, Tupac, Biggie, Snoop, Dre, Wu Tang, Cube, OutKast etc

His catalog definitely would be looked at differently