How does a rapper fall off?

[The Jewnited States]

Rhyming words doesn't seem like a skill that would fade, the opposite actually, I would think it would get better with age

So what happens? Just a lack of passion?

 

[be back in a bit]

Probably them working with lesser talent/producers than on their first project. Or yeah, lack of passion and not caring enough anymore. Because yeah, the way it should be is that an artist gets better and better as they develop their career.

 

[No_bammer_weed]

Rhyming words doesn't seem like a skill that would fade, the opposite actually, I would think it would get better with age

So what happens? Just a lack of passion?

Since the beginning, hip hop has been a successive series of "eras" with their own particular sound and style (Disco; b-boy; pro-black; gangster; boom bap; shiny suit; bling; crunk; snap; hyphy; trap;). Its proven very difficult to transition to the next era when you're associated with the old one. Hip hop fans are notoriously fickle, and move on quick.

Then you have personal issues which cut a career short:

Substance abuse is obviously an easy one.

Run-ins with the law. Big one. Shmurda couldnt even capitalize on his record because of his legal issues. Remember Shine? How big would he have been if not for that bid?

Young black males obviously have a lot more drama going on in their lives than the average person, let alone the average artist. Therefore they are easily distracted and pulled away from the studio. Cant focus.

Pressure to either build on success or duplicate it. If you had a hit or two, the label wants you to reduplicate that. If you showed promise, the label wants to you to break thru and produce hits. This sort of pressure can damage the creative process, and often leads to writers block and shytty results.

Label politics. Labels forget about you, and dont prioritize your next project because they're focused on newer and more promising act (in their minds) they want to put their money and energy behind. You always hear about albums being shelved or pushed back and this is usually why. This goes back to the initial statement, as a label might think fans have moved on from your era and sound.

Ego. A lot of niccas get big heads and start shytting on people left and right and make enemies. When that artist need favors or help, the people he dogged and fronted on aint trying to hear him. Foxy Brown is a great example...

Just a few reasons....

 

[Big Mel]

I used to ponder this allllll the time. I think the innate creatives don't ever. Other MCs are specifically effective during a certain time/style but don't exude raw talent.

Like, Devin the dude is a guy I don't think could ever be bad at rhyming words. Prodigy & Ghost were two of the best MCs if ever heard in their prime. But they aren't like The Dude.

That make sense to anyone else?

 

[☑︎#VoteDemocrat]

Look at Meek.

The team matters a lot. No one really holding that guy down.

Meek is talented...but it can keep you from reaching that level when you don't have the right management.

 

[straightcash]

Making an ass of yourself.

Case in point, Meek Mill.

 

[tremonthustler1]

According to TVOne, gangsta rap

 

[CrimsonTider]

Rhyming words doesn't seem like a skill that would fade, the opposite actually, I would think it would get better with age

So what happens? Just a lack of passion?

Probably them working with lesser talent/producers than on their first project. Or yeah, lack of passion and not caring enough anymore. Because yeah, the way it should be is that an artist gets better and better as they develop their career.

Since the beginning, hip hop has been a successive series of "eras" with their own particular sound and style (Disco; b-boy; pro-black; gangster; boom bap; shiny suit; bling; crunk; snap; hyphy; trap;). Its proven very difficult to transition to the next era when you're associated with the old one. Hip hop fans are notoriously fickle, and move on quick.

Then you have personal issues which cut a career short:

Substance abuse is obviously an easy one.

Run-ins with the law. Big one. Shmurda couldnt even capitalize on his record because of his legal issues. Remember Shine? How big would he have been if not for that bid?

Young black males obviously have a lot more drama going on in their lives than the average person, let alone the average artist. Therefore they are easily distracted and pulled away from the studio. Cant focus.

Pressure to either build on success or duplicate it. If you had a hit or two, the label wants you to reduplicate that. If you showed promise, the label wants to you to break thru and produce hits. This sort of pressure can damage the creative process, and often leads to writers block and shytty results.

Label politics. Labels forget about you, and dont prioritize your next project because they're focused on newer and more promising act (in their minds) they want to put their money and energy behind. You always hear about albums being shelved or pushed back and this is usually why. This goes back to the initial statement, as a label might think fans have moved on from your era and sound.

Ego. A lot of niccas get big heads and start shytting on people left and right and make enemies. When that artist need favors or help, the people he dogged and fronted on aint trying to hear him. Foxy Brown is a great example...

Just a few reasons....

The longer you rap the less the youth wants to hear from you.

One of the most intelligent and articulate things Young Thug has ever said was his view on Jay z's music.


'Jay Z has some of the sickest lyrics ever, but I would never buy his CD, just because of my age and because of his age.'


Young Thug 'Would Never Buy' A Jay Z Album Because of Age

As @No_bammer_weed touched on. Rap moves in eras and fans often listen to rappers who make music that define the era they are coming up in and making the most memories. (15-25)

Remember when Jeezy was the coolest thing in hiphop? Dictating fashion and slang? The only things that changed is that the youth aren't tied to him anymore like 2006.

The same can be said for Snoop in the early to mid 90s

 

[be back in a bit]

The longer you rap the less the youth wants to hear from you.

One of the most intelligent and articulate things Young Thug has ever said was his view on Jay z's music.


'Jay Z has some of the sickest lyrics ever, but I would never buy his CD, just because of my age and because of his age.'



As @No_bammer_weed touched on. Rap moves in eras and fans often listen to rappers who make music that define the era they are coming up in and making the most memories. (15-25)

Remember when Jeezy was the coolest thing in hiphop? Dictating fashion and slang? The only things that changed is that the youth aren't tied to him anymore like 2006.

The same can be said for Snoop in the early to mid 90s

That's immature shyt imo. If Nas puts out another dope album like Life is Good, I'm buying that shyt, I don't care if he's 44. And all my favorite artists except for arguably Nas have gotten better and better as they got further into their careers.

 

[MufasaChoppa]

cacs.

drugs.

 

[Farrinto]

Lack of "hunger" or getting lazier with the lyrics. Take Hov for example, compare Streets Is Watching to Tom Ford.

 

[Giselle]

Making music is more than just rhyming words.

To answer your question they could run out of stuff to talk about or maybe they can't find any inspiring beats. If they're trying to make hits, then their song has to be catchy and usually has to be a dance/party song. It can be difficult to make a catchy song. Other things go into it too, like their public image.Just like a singer

 

[MAKAVELI25]

The longer you rap the less the youth wants to hear from you.

One of the most intelligent and articulate things Young Thug has ever said was his view on Jay z's music.


'Jay Z has some of the sickest lyrics ever, but I would never buy his CD, just because of my age and because of his age.'


Young Thug 'Would Never Buy' A Jay Z Album Because of Age

As @No_bammer_weed touched on. Rap moves in eras and fans often listen to rappers who make music that define the era they are coming up in and making the most memories. (15-25)

Remember when Jeezy was the coolest thing in hiphop? Dictating fashion and slang? The only things that changed is that the youth aren't tied to him anymore like 2006.

The same can be said for Snoop in the early to mid 90s

That Young Thug quote is one of the most intelligent things he's ever said?

 

[MrPentatonic]

Having yes men. Dudes who will let you put out trash because they scared or dont care about your career enough to say its wack.

 

[CrimsonTider]

That's immature shyt imo. If Nas puts out another dope album like Life is Good, I'm buying that shyt, I don't care if he's 44. And all my favorite artists except for arguably Nas have gotten better and better as they got further into their careers.

You buying your favorite artist album has nothing do with this thread. There are Jeezy fans that feel the same way about his music as you do about Nas music but for the larger hiphop consciousness he has fallen off.

The term falling off has always been used to define when an artist is not at the level he once was in rap.

There's nothing immature about younger people wanting to hear older rappers (Old in term of length of their career) music.

There weren't many Pac and Biggie fans buy Big Daddy Kane shyt in 96/97

That Young Thug quote is one of the most intelligent things he's ever said?

Yes