Remember When Rappers Looked Like They Were First Starting Out On The First Album And If It Did Well Enough Then They Started Shining On The Second?

[Devil Plisken…CMS]

As silly as it sounded it made you feel like you accomplished something together

nikkax would go from their videos being on the block in standard outfits to jewels, Gucci & glitz

It’s sort of like Chief Keef’s comeup or even Meg when she was doing those freestyles in her neighborhood but it was more commonplace back in the day

 

[Mike the Executioner]

I feel like that's because you're just trying to establish yourself on the first album. You're not coming from money, you're using verses you wrote a long time ago, you're not famous yet. Everything is just starting to happen to you.

On your second album, you've started to see more things. You're doing more shows, you're making money you've never seen before, you're being introduced to more people. The budget is higher and your label has more confidence in you. Your fan base is bigger and you're almost guaranteed to sell more this time. You carry yourself with more confidence on stage and you're getting better as an artist (maybe). Big Daddy Kane said that he always felt like It's a Big Daddy Thing was better than Long Live the Kane, because he could talk about more things and he had seen more of the world.

 

[Devil Plisken…CMS]

I feel like that's because you're just trying to establish yourself on the first album. You're not coming from money, you're using verses you wrote a long time ago, you're not famous yet. Everything is just starting to happen to you.

On your second album, you've started to see more things. You're doing more shows, you're making money you've never seen before, you're being introduced to more people. The budget is higher and your label has more confidence in you. Your fan base is bigger and you're almost guaranteed to sell more this time. You carry yourself with more confidence on stage and you're getting better as an artist (maybe). Big Daddy Kane said that he always felt like It's a Big Daddy Thing was better than Long Live the Kane, because he could talk about more things and he had seen more of the world.

I’m not saying I don’t get it. I’m saying this is no longer the standard.

 

[CarltonJunior]

Most people agree that an artist's first album is usually their best. Much more meticulous and thought out, years worth of emotions piled into one project.

The 2nd album being better than the first wasn't ever really the standard you are making it seem like. Maybe in this past 2010s era with Cole, Kendrick, Meek, Drake, Big Sean etc. but that's moreso because their first albums weren't really "first" albums because they had album-level tapes that were the real debut. Their albums had a lot of industry influence.

 

[Mike the Executioner]

I’m not saying I don’t get it. I’m saying this is no longer the standard.

That's because rap used to come from a more genuine place. It was all about reality and slowly building yourself up. Nowadays, artists want to go from A to Z instantly. They want to look like they have it made from the beginning. The barrier for entry is lower now, too. Get one hit, start doing shows, and you can get a collaboration with one of the biggest artists in the world before your first album is even finished.

Back then, you had to work a lot harder to get that far. The standard isn't what it used to be because the industry isn't what it used to be.

 

[Redwood]

Mobb Deep wouldn't really classify as this too much, huh?

Always felt they've stepped up big time on their third album.

 

[Devil Plisken…CMS]

Mobb Deep wouldn't really classify as this too much, huh?

Alays felt they've stepped up big time on their third album.

Image Wise?

 

[⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐]

Any examples OP?

 

[mr.africa]

Gen z don't got time for fake it till you make it.

 

[Cladyclad]

Jay Z changed the game

Before Jay Z dudes sounded like normal dudes on their debuts

 

[RaspberryFitted]

Jay Z changed the game

Before Jay Z dudes sounded like normal dudes on their debuts

Nas debuted in 1994 though

 

[Cladyclad]

Nas debuted in 1994 though

And sound like he didn’t have a lot of money

 

[MJ Truth]

Most people agree that an artist's first album is usually their best. Much more meticulous and thought out, years worth of emotions piled into one project.

The 2nd album being better than the first wasn't ever really the standard you are making it seem like. Maybe in this past 2010s era with Cole, Kendrick, Meek, Drake, Big Sean etc. but that's moreso because their first albums weren't really "first" albums because they had album-level tapes that were the real debut. Their albums had a lot of industry influence.

He’s not saying the music is better. He’s saying you can see the growth and glow of the rapper from album one to two. Example like Nas from Illmatic to IWW. From grimy to pink suits.

 

[Peruvian Connect]

They were broke boys. These new rappers been having, they been getting it out the mud since 11, thy really like that. They just rap cuz they bored,

 

[Pop123]

Jay Z changed the game

Before Jay Z dudes sounded like normal dudes on their debuts

"I came into this mothafukka hunid grand strong..."