Aug 15, 2021 "It's about a hot beat, and a catchy hook!" No, this thread isn't about the song, altough it was pretty amazing to see Jay, Em, 50 and Dre on the same track. It's about its message; hiphop has shifted from being about storytelling and lyrics, to being catchy regardless of its message/lyrics. Do you agree / disagree / to some extent, and why? Didn't add a poll because posting/discussing is more important to me than clicking in a poll
Aug 15, 2021 In this new generation of music just depends on the listener some people still appreciate the bars and the schemes being said
Aug 15, 2021 I think I agree to some extent but that's mostly for radio music and idk if a lot of radio music was lyrical in the first place it's just that the sound shifted The reason I enjoy rap is that people are usually able to convey their clever and witty side so I enjoy lyrics but other times I'm okay with slightly lesser or more cryptic writing if they're delivering a certain mood but obviously the artists that combine both sides are going to be the real standouts
Aug 15, 2021 Defintely not about the lyrics anymore and more so about the sound sonically which is cool. I don't say that as a diss as if there's no talent behind what's popular it's just who the f--- wants to listen to Em or some s--- like that at a party or something you know? Can't see it. The fact that darkness such a well written track probably top 2 as far as lyric wise goes in ems catalog was such a huge flop IMO goes to show that.
Aug 15, 2021 Yeah I second this. There is some sort of 'war' new vs old rap like there aren't any new rappers w good lyrics or older rappers didn't make bangers back in the day as well. I can appreciate a good storytelling song / clever lyrics, but also enjoy a great sounding song -to me- that doesn't really have anything interesting to say. However, the one thing thats most important to me is it has to sound good... a boring song w good lyrics , fine but probably won't listen again. Rappers trying something (new) w their voice, also cool but doesn't always work out for the better. If I don't like a rappers voice or style he's using... everything else is not important as far as replay value goes.
Aug 15, 2021 To give a more detailed response, I don’t think it’s that clear cut. Yeah there are a lot of rappers out right now who are focused more on melody and experimenting with sound over technical writing, but there’s definitely room for all kinds of rappers to be successful. Em, Jay, and Kendrick are still some the absolute biggest names in rap, Nas just debuted at #5. There’s been more a shift in the prevalent style of rap in recent years, but it’s not like that’s all there is.
Aug 15, 2021 I dont wanna make this about em but Darkness is actually a good example. It's like a 10/10. But I never listen to it....
Aug 15, 2021 Very good song but same here I believe it's the flow that brings down the song. On paper this is Stan level and if it was released earlier in his career would've been legendary but that type of music just doesn't seem popular now so now it's just another "supersonic" em song on an album that shouldn't exist.
Aug 15, 2021 I feel like for more traditional rap to be huge it needs to be on the catchier side/more modern especially as a first single example like sumo by Denzel
Aug 15, 2021 For the record I said in my post you have songs w good lyrics that (to me) lack replay value, and catchy songs with almost no substance.. but plenty of songs have both!
Aug 15, 2021 You need a balance of both. I know plenty of bangers I love but only when I'm drunk because the lyrics are so s---/boring/or too repititive - it makes the whole listening experience for the song cheapened. Like when you hear a rapper you like and they just sound monotonous and like they don't give a f---, compared to other artists who you can actually hear the emotion and passion they are putting into it. But s--- that's too lyrical miracle for me is the same, I don't wanna hear a new song and pause it/rewind it every 4 seconds cause some fuckhead is stroking his ego by spitting quadruple time flow and saying the most """intellectual""" s--- they can it's like ugh f--- off I'm tryna have fun not listen to a university lecture from a rapid speaking Indian accented c----
Aug 15, 2021 i have a difficult time listening to 8th grade level lyrics / mindset. i don't need a 4:44 old wise man telling me the ways of the world and his investments in fine art, but i also don't want an angsty/pubescent teenager talking about how he'll slap your hoe, f--- yo b----, and eat peppers out of a hookers a--- all day either. be smart/smart-ish or be clever.
Aug 15, 2021 I think this is kind of a self fulfilling prophecy in some ways. I definitely saw the divide when I was younger and in HS. The way I look at it now is easy listening vs s--- I need a lyric sheet for lol. There’s obv a lot of middle ground between those two. Both have great music as well.
Aug 15, 2021 People have been saying this s--- for years. Stop boxing rap into these weird corners. There’s always been and always will be different styles. different strokes for different folks. learn to love it all.
Aug 15, 2021 I only care about beat and flow hence why I like Eminem Tech N9ne Hopsin Logic NF You guys honestly haven’t figured this out in over 15 years?
