Trajan
Veteran
After Young Guru previewed "bytch Don't Kill My Vibe" remix at SXSW, the official CDQ version of Kendrick Lamar's joint featuring Mr. Knowles resulted in a Internet frenzy. While some of you may have been satisfied with enjoying the song and calling it a day, more simple-minded people like me were interested in one thing: who had the better verse?
While bragging rights undoubtedly went to K. Dot, it was clear to some of us that while being arguably the greatest of all time, the Jigga Man has definitely lost at least a half a step in the lyrical department and is rocking the proverbial Wizards jersey these days. This also brought to mind a few other artists who have been dogging it in the latter parts of their careers as well. So, here's a list of 10 artists we feel have regressed musically for one reason or another.
1. Cam'ron
Some of you may be too young to remember but, if you were around for the mid-late '90s, you'd know that one Cameron Giles was known for more than keeping computers puting and Motel 6 swimming pools. Killa was nice with the bars, even impressing the late great Christopher Wallace enough to give him his entrance into the game.
But after hitting his pinnacle with Purple Haze and dissolving the Dips, Cam has definitely mailed it in on more than a few occasions over the past couple of years. While he's still one of the most entertaining dudes in the game, those moments are few and far between. Guess he's too busy "Getting It In Ohio" and chopping it up at your local Popeye's to be much concerned with lyrics these days.
2. Prodigy
During the trifecta that was Infamous, Hell On Earth and Murda Muzik, it's not too far fetched to say that Prodigy was a borderline Top 5 MC in the game at the time. But I guess that legendary Summer Jam fiasco left him a little punch drunk. After releasing a strong solo debut with H.N.I.C, the QB MC's bars fell off faster than the Steve Francis era in Orlando. While he briefly regained form with his impressive Return Of The Mac project, dude resorted back to his old ways soon after, giving him a deserved spot on this list.
3. DMX
Its sad to day, but Dark Man X may have had the furthest plummet from musical respectability from any artist on this list. After making his bread and butter off of a number of scene-stealing guest appearances, X went on to be arguably the biggest artist in the game for a short window, largely off of his unbridled passion and darkened lyrical content.
You simply can't give him the same distinction nowadays. After completely falling off musically due to not giving a f*ck, X has attempted to make a comeback by aligning himself with the likes of Machine Gun Kelly, muffled growls and all. The man who once out-shined Jigga and a number of your other favorite rappers from the '90s is all but a shell of his former self. Drugs are bad, kids.
4. 50 Cent
While never being considered a top tier lyricist in the traditional sense, 50 previously had a knack for enthralling listeners with his vivid street tales. He also had way of saying a mouthful with just a few simple words. But as his career played out, its safe to say 50's once hypnotic hold on the ears of the public has diminished a tad. Although he has a chance to make me look like a fool with his upcoming Street King Immortal album, early indications say it will be more of the same watered down 50 we've come to care less about as time has passed.
5. Snoop Dogg
Although he still possesses remnants of the cold-as-ice flow that hooked the game in the early '90s, the Dogg Father turned Lion has been losing a step in the lyrical department for every album he's dropped for the last decade or so. I know we'll always have love for Uncle Snoop but let's keep it real.. when is the last time Snoop spit a lyrical miracle quotable? I'll wait.
He's always reliable for a buzz-worthy single and is still heavy in the charisma department. But, it's clear to see he's lyrically in the dog days of his career. The fact that he's openly admitted to employing ghostwriters in recent years says all you need to know.
While bragging rights undoubtedly went to K. Dot, it was clear to some of us that while being arguably the greatest of all time, the Jigga Man has definitely lost at least a half a step in the lyrical department and is rocking the proverbial Wizards jersey these days. This also brought to mind a few other artists who have been dogging it in the latter parts of their careers as well. So, here's a list of 10 artists we feel have regressed musically for one reason or another.
1. Cam'ron
Some of you may be too young to remember but, if you were around for the mid-late '90s, you'd know that one Cameron Giles was known for more than keeping computers puting and Motel 6 swimming pools. Killa was nice with the bars, even impressing the late great Christopher Wallace enough to give him his entrance into the game.
But after hitting his pinnacle with Purple Haze and dissolving the Dips, Cam has definitely mailed it in on more than a few occasions over the past couple of years. While he's still one of the most entertaining dudes in the game, those moments are few and far between. Guess he's too busy "Getting It In Ohio" and chopping it up at your local Popeye's to be much concerned with lyrics these days.
2. Prodigy
During the trifecta that was Infamous, Hell On Earth and Murda Muzik, it's not too far fetched to say that Prodigy was a borderline Top 5 MC in the game at the time. But I guess that legendary Summer Jam fiasco left him a little punch drunk. After releasing a strong solo debut with H.N.I.C, the QB MC's bars fell off faster than the Steve Francis era in Orlando. While he briefly regained form with his impressive Return Of The Mac project, dude resorted back to his old ways soon after, giving him a deserved spot on this list.
3. DMX
Its sad to day, but Dark Man X may have had the furthest plummet from musical respectability from any artist on this list. After making his bread and butter off of a number of scene-stealing guest appearances, X went on to be arguably the biggest artist in the game for a short window, largely off of his unbridled passion and darkened lyrical content.
You simply can't give him the same distinction nowadays. After completely falling off musically due to not giving a f*ck, X has attempted to make a comeback by aligning himself with the likes of Machine Gun Kelly, muffled growls and all. The man who once out-shined Jigga and a number of your other favorite rappers from the '90s is all but a shell of his former self. Drugs are bad, kids.
4. 50 Cent
While never being considered a top tier lyricist in the traditional sense, 50 previously had a knack for enthralling listeners with his vivid street tales. He also had way of saying a mouthful with just a few simple words. But as his career played out, its safe to say 50's once hypnotic hold on the ears of the public has diminished a tad. Although he has a chance to make me look like a fool with his upcoming Street King Immortal album, early indications say it will be more of the same watered down 50 we've come to care less about as time has passed.
5. Snoop Dogg
Although he still possesses remnants of the cold-as-ice flow that hooked the game in the early '90s, the Dogg Father turned Lion has been losing a step in the lyrical department for every album he's dropped for the last decade or so. I know we'll always have love for Uncle Snoop but let's keep it real.. when is the last time Snoop spit a lyrical miracle quotable? I'll wait.
He's always reliable for a buzz-worthy single and is still heavy in the charisma department. But, it's clear to see he's lyrically in the dog days of his career. The fact that he's openly admitted to employing ghostwriters in recent years says all you need to know.
