There is too much emphasis on "lyrics" with rap fans

[☑︎#VoteDemocrat]

Not EVERY song deserves some dude rapping double time or trying to fill each instance of instrumental with a word or flipping a pattern to fill the gaps for all 4:00 of a song.

Its about making good songs that are enjoyable and easy to listen to...

Thats why I don't understand why dudes shyt on artists who make memorable tracks that you sing along with as try to play them off as if they're not making songs that aren't just as valid.

Even still, using more words doesn't make you a better rapper.

If the final product isn't something people don't want to hear, you can't just keep saying that "oh well he raps better"

That doesn't mean anything. Talent is how the product comes together...you rapping about geopolitics or the socioeconomic state of black america doesn't mean anything if its barely tolerable. You might as well write a book about it.

 

[Easy-E]

That doesn't mean anything. Talent is how the product comes together...you rapping about geopolitics or the socioeconomic state of black america doesn't mean anything if its barely tolerable. You might as well write a book about it.

As a fan; I'm here. If I want to learn; read a book. Even when cats was droppin' knowledge, you still needed to read to make sure it was true.

I hate to say Rap music doesn't teach, anymore--it should and can still. But, I'm tired of the frustration of wanting that (knowledge in Rap), knowing it doesn't exist because the same fans that argue for it, don't buy the records.

But, I don't oppose fun/party music. Rakim is one of the GOATs. Paid In Full, for my money, is a party record. And he was murking every track, B.

Hip-Hop was born at a party, not a gully cypher, in the alley and Kool Herc and 'em was in bubble goose downs passing the blunt around, sharing war stories.

I just don't like this destructive, irresponsible Rap. It doesn't appeal to mean.

I'm more worried about what they're sayin' (mollies, sex, money is everything), than what they're not sayin (social issues, responsibility, real spirituality).

 

[Feed-Me]

There's too much emphasis on what the next man listening to if anything. If that's what you like, listen to it.

 

[Juanito]

I thought the whole reason it started was to see who had the wittier/more clever lines and who could outshine the other man. Hence why battles were invented. I don't get why people listen to rap and say shyt like "lyrics don't matter" that shyt always blows my mind. If you want to hear just beats listen to EDM/House/Grime music or some shyt if you just want "bangers" or something. Without lyrics what is rap/hip hop music?

 

[MoeDollaZ$]

the good thing about hip hop is that it isnt black and white anymore. theres different niches you just have to find the ones you like

 

[mortuus est]

 

[Insensitive]

I thought the whole reason it started was to see who had the wittier/more clever lines and who could outshine the other man. Hence why battles were invented. I don't get why people listen to rap and say shyt like "lyrics don't matter" that shyt always blows my mind. If you want to hear just beats listen to EDM/House/Grime music or some shyt if you just want "bangers" or something. Without lyrics what is rap/hip hop music?

"Without lyrics" Hip Hop is Dr. Dre, The Neptunes, Flying Lotus, Swizz Beats, there is a musical backdrop to Hip Hop .
It can still be "Hip Hop" without the lyrics I mean when Emcee's
were battling we still had Dj's ( the precursor to the Hip Hop producer)
juggling beat breaks.

With that said skillful execution of Rapping is something to be expected
in a genre it's founded on. This a pretty shyt thread @Napoleon asking why does "Lyrics" matter is kind of the equivalent of asking "Why does Mariah Carey have to sing in Key ?" because it's necessary to fit some
forms of "Hip Hop".

Now don't take me as some lyric Nazi who wants people to use
big words that confound me.
I realize that depending on the sub-genre of Hip Hop you change
your style.

If you're doing a wordy east coast inspired Hip Hop song, you're
going to use a flow that fits that so will your writing style.
If you're doing a Crunk Club anthem you're going to pair back
your writing and focus on infectious hooks that'll lay into the synths
and 808s.
If you're doing trap music you'll have an emphasis on immediate gratification eschewing the metaphors common in the writing
of Lupe Fiasco and ignoring the complex schemes of Pharoahe Monche
or Nas in favor of the simplistic "statement" like Punchlines of Gucci Mane
and Waka Flocka.

Another thing that matters in the lyricism unique to Hip Hop is it's close relation to flow.
"Flow" changes depending on the songs format and can be interesting
even when it's "Simple".

For example Danny Brown can switch between varying levels of complexity and still sound interesting because he understands this aspect of Hip Hop.
He can go from making Trap/Drill inspired records to angry
experimental punchline laden battle tracks
.
With that said what separates Danny from other
lesser skilled rappers is his ability to use rapping as a means
to construct themes and concepts, to tell stories and explore
ideas.
This is what takes Hip Hop/Rap from fun, of the time, mindless dance
music to an actual piece of art to be examined and digested.
Note - that isn't to say that Dance Music can't be "artsy".

There isn't "too much emphasis" on Lyrics with
rap fans, it's one of defining aspects of the genre that distinguishes
Hip Hop from others and can be done with varying levels
of skill/complexity depending on the performer in question
and the style of Hip Hop they're going after.

A lot of so called Hip Hop "fans" don't seem to get this.

I don't think music needs to "teach" to be good.
@Easy-E I think rappers can say interesting things
and can have a very different take on life without having
to present google informed conspiracy theories on world
politics.