If you want to talk about lyrical skills and delivery, I think you have to mention the dancehall scene...guys like Buju Banton and Beenie and Sean Paul and Mr. Vegas. As far as rapping because they can't sing, I think that's pretty closed-minded. There have been plenty of artists, like someone mentioned Outkast, and I'll add Mos Def, that are pretty good singers that rap as well.
Rocket i do agree with you TUPAC IS THE GREATEST But i think Biggie had the best Lyrics,his syrics were so good it blows you're mind
yea Biggie was good but lacked diversity of subject matter I think Tupac's Flow and lyrics were as good if not better though Rocket River
I don't listen to alot of the east coasters like Jay Z or Nas or them guys or the local branch, the uh, well, um, you guys know who i'm talking about. Infact, I hate what music is today. But that is a totally different thread. All the rappers I hear rap about the same crap. It's about the same cars with bigger rims, choppas, blades, shiny wheels on your mommas SUV. About the same Ho that has some thick thighs, and bootyliciousness, and the same ba ba bling bling cash register goes ching ching jewelry. More ice than the Artic. Same lyrics, different beats. Well, sometimes, it is the same exact beat. I like sampling. I just don't like it when credit is not given due. You ask somebody if they know that beat, they probably wouldn't know it was some band at all. Eminem is a different case. His lyrics are about you, and me, politics, social events, that kind of crap. I never hear Cash Money rhyming about The budget defeceit, or Saddaam Huesein, PETA. Eminem is rapping about the vice president, the FCC and other crap. BTW doesn't his record come out June 4th? He picked a great day. Why do you think eminem is attacked more by Congress? or just people in general. I guess people got tired of big cars, and sleazy ladies in thongs? Ummm.... GO ROCKETS, woooo.
As far as rapping because they can't sing, I think that's pretty closed-minded. There have been plenty of artists, like someone mentioned Outkast, and I'll add Mos Def, that are pretty good singers that rap as well. Mos Def is absolutely incredible. Wow. But he's a rare jewel in a sea of misogynistic, self-absorbed (c)rap. Somebody call me when rap gets its relevancy back.
I'm not a big Jay-Z fan either. He is a good lyricist, but it all starts to sound the same after awhile. Plus his beats are very repetitive and IMO amateur. The Cash Money clownssimply suck ass. Tupac is probably my favorite of all time. The man was a poet.
I forgot to mention one other rapper that has quickly made his way onto my **** list.....Nelly. Can this guy please stop releasing every lame ass song on his record?!! The last 3-4 singles he's taken from his album are lame. I'll give him credit that his style is original and a little catchy, but he is suffering from the same problems that our Jay-Z's and Cash Money Chumps are suffering from...progressively horrible lyrics and boring recycled beats. It's rappers like him that make me appreciate the OutKasts, Craig Macks, Eminems, Tupacs, Scarfaces, etc of the rap world.
If you guys want real rap and no sell out crap grab some Bone Thugz, anything from DeathRow,Xzibit,old Mobb Deep, and get some 50 cent, this guy is siiick If you want a real good new album get Dj Rectangle and btw i got the Eminem cd already off irc, this cd is blazin man Rocket River, whats you're fav pac song?
Actually, rap developed out of "street testifying" which wasn't even based around music in the beginning. It can really be traced back to a lot of the black power movement, as well...poetry, basically, that took rhythm and beat literally and became more of a performance. Then, in the 70's, it became more of a masses thing, with anyone on the street doing it - being less artsy and promoting reality of harsh life, a false bravado to counter harsh life, etc. It was kind of a grass roots power movement that eventually became mainstream, and commercializewd into its present incarnation where products are promoted, uniforms ascribed, and white people getting in and making money.
Best Rappers: Jay-Z - puts out the hits...don't hate...lol Biggie - had 3 songs that I can't live without..."One More Chance"(damn ashanti stole it),"Hypnotize","Big Poppa"..."juicy" is good too 2Pac is the greatest lyricist of all time. Best Songs: Hit 'Em Up (of course),2 Live and Die in LA,How Do U Want It, Baby Don't Cry, Keep Ya Head Up 2Pac was a good actor too...."Above the Rim"!!! For any of u "new skool" guyz...get the latest from Cam'ron..."Oh Boy"...i can't stop listenin to it.
Wasn't the "One more Chance" beat sampled from another song. I could of sworn that before Biggie did that song in 94, there was an old R&B song with that same background beat. Anybody know? When I first saw that Ashanti video I was pissed because she stole the "One more chance" beat. Then I kept watching the video, and she steals the plot from Goodfellas also! WTF! Can't this chick come up with anything original? Stupid hoe. Oh well, she will probably be forgotten in a few months.
the song is Debarge's "Stay With Me" as i just found out from the internet... i remember debarge! Dude with the big hair or jericurl in the 80s...tite. Ya Ashanti shouldn't have jacked "one more chance"...but the "goodfella" video spoof is over the line. You can't do that to one of the best movies of all time!
How can you forget 2pac-I Aint Mad At Ya, No More Pain.You Thought i was Dead, Picture Me Rollin' 2pac has sooo many good songs
Remember the RIP of CASINO in Nas's Street Dreams Video I was like. . d*mn that was weak. [BTW next time u listen to that song .. . just sing ALL EYES ON ME . . straight rip of 'Pac] I'm down with Pac from When My Homiez Call . . .to HOLLAR IF YOU HEAR ME to How do you want it.... Same Song [his intro] was GREAT Rocket River
F*cking Nas in that ugly ass suit talking with his hand over his mouth! Talk about " hey I want to be a hustler/gangster." The dude from Casino (Frankie) even came out in the video. Once someone tries to rip off the Godfather or Blow (and you know someone will try) it will have gotten out of hand!
Does she not also do the chorus in "What's luv"? I know that the music and verses are different(Right?), but the chorus is almost identical to Tina Turner's "What's love got to do with it?"
