The Source Top 50 Lyricist List Discussion

[Nomad1]

No order:

Rakim
Nas
Ras Kass
Big Punisher
Eminem
Canibus
Pharoahe Monch
Common
Joe Budden
Jay-Z
Jadakiss
Kool G. Rap
Big Daddy Kane
Lloyd Banks
K-Rino
Melle Mel
Black Thought
Redman
Tame One
Young Zee
AZ
Big L
Lord Finesse
Ice Cube
Prodigy
Twista
GZA
Cam'ron
Beanie Sigel
Notorious Big
Crooked I
Kurupt
Masta Ace
KRS-One
Lupe Fiasco
Royce Da 5'9
Saigon
Elzhi
The DOC
Andre 3000
Styles P
Fabolous
Vakill
Juice
Loaded Lux
Pusha T
Scarface
T.I.
Cormega
Posdonus

Big Pun and Big L shouldn't be in that list.

 

[FreshAIG]

Big Pun and Big L shouldn't be in that list.

Why? They're both extreme lyricist. Why wouldn't the be on the list? And don't tell me because they died young because Big L was a known rapper for 7 years and Big Pun was known for 5, and they had plenty of material

 

[Nomad1]

Why? They're both extreme lyricist. Why wouldn't the be on the list?

Your whole list caters to a narrow concept of lyricism. But L and Pun weren't great lyricists, but Pun edges L by a mile.

 

[FreshAIG]

Your whole list caters to a narrow concept of lyricism. But L and Pun weren't great lyricists, but Pun edges L by a mile.

No it doesn't, my list hits every spectrum of what I consider elite lyricism. Some are rhyme scheme heavy (Pun, Nas, Eminem, Rakim etc...), some or punchline heavy (Banks, Fab, Young Zee, Big L), some are wordplay heavy (Redman, Tame One ), some are metaphorical (Jay-Z, Vakill, Ras Kass) etc...

And I agree Pun is better than Big L by miles, I've always said that. But they're both top 50 lyricists.

 

[The Ruler 09]

Big Pun and Big L are easily top 50 lyricists. Pun could make a case for top 5, he was amazing...

 

[mobbinfms]

Big Pun and Big L shouldn't be in that list.

 

[mobbinfms]

Your whole list caters to a narrow concept of lyricism. But L and Pun weren't great lyricists, but Pun edges L by a mile.

 

[Nomad1]

No it doesn't, my list hits every spectrum of lyricism. Some are rhyme scheme heavy, some or punchline heavy, some are wordplay heavy, some are metaphorical

And I agree Pun is better than Big L by miles, I've always said that. But they're both top 50 lyricists.

You had impressive rappers in your list (especially mentioning Banks since he's criminally underrated) but I actually prefer nikkas like Cube and Chuck...The whole concept of "lyricism" is kinda fukked up...but then again I didn't grow up in NY so im guessing your from NY which would makes sense with your list.

 

[mobbinfms]

@The Ruler 09 when was this list published?

 

[Nomad1]

I would replace them nikkas with Havoc actually

 

[mobbinfms]

I would replace them nikkas with Havoc actually

 

[FreshAIG]

You had impressive rappers in your list (especially mentioning Banks since he's criminally underrated) but I actually prefer nikkas like Cube and Chuck...The whole concept of "lyricism" is kinda fukked up...but then again I didn't grow up in NY so im guessing your from NY which would makes sense with your list.

I am, but you're thinking more like content and social commentary like Pac, Chuck, that's all lyricism too. It's just different levels. They do it on a very basic level in terms of they are not very word heavy or metaphorical, they're very straight forward and don't really display attributes of elite lyricism like rhyme schemes, similies, punchlines. They just have good content, which is more important than "lyrical miracle" but it's not as technically impressive, and that's what I consider elite lyricism. The complexity of your writing, how many different layers your rhymes have, the inner-rhyming, the metaphors, all of that.

 

[The Ruler 09]

@The Ruler 09 when was this list published?

I don't know but I'd guess 2007/2008, could find out at some point I think.

 

[L. Deezy]

Melle Mel at 10 is a joke.. I do subscribe to him having one of the 10 best verses ever tho.. But he wasnt consistently good like he was on the The Message

 

[Knicksman20]

I am, but you're thinking more like content and social commentary like Pac, Chuck, that's all lyricism too. It's just different levels. They do it on a very basic level in terms of they are not very word heavy or metaphorical, they're very straight forward and don't really display attributes of elite lyricism like rhyme schemes, similies, punchlines. They just have good content, which is more important than "lyrical miracle" but it's not as technically impressive, and that's what I consider elite lyricism. The complexity of your writing, how many different layers your rhymes have, the inner-rhyming, the metaphors, all of that.