So what does "lyrical" mean?

[W.I.Z.E.]

I see a lot of people here saying so and so is lyrical.

Then I often see examples like lyrical, spiritual, miracle, fearing you.

To me, that ain't "lyrical". That's rhyme scheme.

Chuck D was lyrical....Gza is lyrical. Blu lyrical. Phonte is lyrical.

What's ur definition of being lyrical?

 

[PhonZhi]

@BaronX

 

[PhonZhi]

You just know it when you hear it OP. To me, its an ability to express ones' thoughts with words while at the same time utilizing different rhyming techniques. Im a sucker for the "technical" side of lyricism. Some rappers are more "technical" than others, while others are more str8 forward. For me personally, the more rhyme schemes/ patterns/ multi-syllables that one uses ALONG WITH REMAINING COHERENT WITH THE SUBJECT THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO CONVEY makes a rapper more "lyrical" than others

 

[FreshAIG]

To me lyricism involves: Metaphors, syllable rhyming, punchlines, story telling, painting a picture, cleverness. It most encompass at least one of those elements. There's multiple ways to be lyrical. AZ is lyrical and Jay is lyrical but their rhyme styles are nothing alike. Nas is lyrical and Fab is lyrical and their rhyme styles are nothing alike.

 

[FreshAIG]

To me, this is why Eminem back then was waaaaaaaaaaay more lyrical than he is now. Because now all Eminem cares about is fitting as many syllables into a rhyme as possible. Back then he had syllables matching but also told a cohesive story during the rhyme. Like they weren't just scatter-brained rants they were very lucid.

 

[PhonZhi]

@FreshAIG



Here's Eminem telling us about his childhood while using only words that rhyme with "Superstitious":





Here's Eminem telling us about his childhood while using only words that rhyme with "Brian Dawkins":




Notice how he stays on subject and actually progresses the story all while using words that rhymes with those words. Not many people on the planet could do this. These are 2 examples of an EXTREMELY HIGH level of lyricism

 

[Monster]

people just make it synonmoys with nerdy basically imo.

a guy like ace hood is lyrical but never gets the credit cuz his music is too 'street' or hyyphy or w/e u want to call it

 

[PhonZhi]

people just make it synonmoys with nerdy basically imo.

a guy like ace hood is lyrical but never gets the credit cuz his music is too 'street' or hyyphy or w/e u want to call it

I agree. I think Meek Mill is lyrical. Ross is an awesome lyricist. He paints pictures and imagery with words very well

 

[Nobodyknows]

To me lyricism involves: Metaphors, syllable rhyming, punchlines, story telling, painting a picture, cleverness. It most encompass at least one of those elements. There's multiple ways to be lyrical. AZ is lyrical and Jay is lyrical but their rhyme styles are nothing alike. Nas is lyrical and Fab is lyrical and their rhyme styles are nothing alike.

That's basically it tbh

To me, this is why Eminem back then was waaaaaaaaaaay more lyrical than he is now. Because now all Eminem cares about is fitting as many syllables into a rhyme as possible. Back then he had syllables matching but also told a cohesive story during the rhyme. Like they weren't just scatter-brained rants they were very lucid.

Yeah, I think Em proved himself on terms of lyrical capability but now he's just doing what he enjoys and testing himself while he's at it. He's still got some good rhymes if you look into it enough.

 

[W.I.Z.E.]

I agree that rhyme patterns can have some impact on lyricism but to me the message itself, metaphors, similies and impact create lyricism.



Monch often has the perfect blend of lyricism, rhyme schemes and flows.

Scar face is very lyrical but not complex,rhyme scheme wise.

 

[Monster]

I agree. I think Meek Mill is lyrical. Ross is an awesome lyricist. He paints pictures and imagery with words very well

meek mill is lyrical, rick ross can paint pictures you're right about that but i don't think of hiim as lyrical

 

[PhonZhi]

Here's elZHI telling a story about a robbery from 3 different points of views all while using a high level of lyricism (rhyme patterns/multi-syllables,etc)

 

[SirBiatch]

"Lyrical" over the last 10 years means "cornball with no sense of rhythm or creativity." It also means whatever the fukk you want it to mean, especially when praising some garbage rapper you're a fan of.

For me, I consider lyrical as "are you saying thoughtful shyt" Plain and simple

 

[FreshAIG]

@FreshAIG



Here's Eminem telling us about his childhood while using only words that rhyme with "Superstitious":





Here's Eminem telling us about his childhood while using only words that rhyme with "Brian Dawkins":




Notice how he stays on subject and actually progresses the story all while using words that rhymes with those words. Not many people on the planet could do this. These are 2 examples of an EXTREMELY HIGH level of lyricism

Yeah that's the Em I like. Think about songs like Brain Damage, Bonnie and Clyde, Rock Bottom, As the World Turns. All completely cohesive stories.

 

[pointproven214]

@BaronX

to me lyricism means not sacrificing one for the other

like being lyrical to me obviously means complex rhyme patterns metaphors wordplay punchlines hooks

while still being smart enough to tell a story and still make sense to me is lyricism.

i dont know why most people think that u can' tell a story and still be lyrical or vice versa.

u can do both and it can be done.