Who are the best rappers who didn’t come from or represent “the struggle” and can 2nd generation rappers ever succeed?

☑︎#VoteDemocrat

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There may not be a better time to discuss why Big Sean and J Cole folded and ducked the Kendrick battle, why Drake keeps trying to prove himself and why Kanye keeps seeking validation from the streets...

Are rappers who grew up functionally middle class ever able to prosper? Did Chance the Rapper ruin his shot?

Are the children of rappers who are even marginally successful able to thrive unless they themselves grow up struggling?

Can being Jaden or Willow Smith or one of T.I.’s kids last forever? Rev Run’s kids didn’t last too long.

You know, I thought the blog rap era would bring in a wave of artists who weren’t trying to cater to the streets and try to pivot to the cul-de-sac life, but it seems the same elements keep creeping in and forcing everyone down a “struggle” funnel of trying to relate to the absolute bottom in order to validate your existence as a rapper.

I mean, Russ is BARELY doing it...
 

Mr 18

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Kanye had immense success... he was just mentally ill and got jealous that other rappers actually surpassed him in sales, acclaim and pretty much everything that mattered to his ego.

But he's one of those that made it...
 

Yaboysix

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Damn, i never thought about it like that....

All the rappers I'm a fan of grew up struggling.

:russ:

I guess i never resonated with Nyggas who grew up middle class/comfortable.

Won't have shyt to rap about after a while...Fck around and be like Drizzy and need them shyts given to you.

:yeshrug:
 

Long Live The Kane

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I’m sure there are plenty

The Clipse for example were solidly middle class army brats

Don’t think nothing would stop a 2nd gen rapper from popping either
 

StackorStarve

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Common, Ye, Tribe, Cole, Big Sean, Fugees, Talib, Drake, Mos Def, Busta, Nelly, Drake are all successful rappers who didn’t represent being a goon for the most part. If their music doesn’t promote that who cares where they came from. It’s usually the opposite, rappers that came from decent households that rap like they came up in the trenches. Most musicians lifespans are short no matter what.
 

Hersh

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whose the current biggest 2nd generation rapper?? Jaden??.. who else? .. whose the best?
 

☑︎#VoteDemocrat

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Damn, i never thought about it like that....

All the rappers I'm a fan of grew up struggling.

:russ:

I guess i never resonated with Nyggas who grew up middle class/comfortable.

Won't have shyt to rap about after a while...Fck around and be like Drizzy and need them shyts given to you.

:yeshrug:
You see the Internet in shambles over learning about Jadakiss? :sas1:

Jada should have been Common or Talib :picard:

 

☑︎#VoteDemocrat

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LOOPY

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*All the biggest rappers this gen are suburban dudes


*Drake, Cole, Travis, Carti, Yeat, JuiceWrld, Tentacion etc. etc



*That stopped being a thing decades ago



£
 

Pure Water

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There may not be a better time to discuss why Big Sean and J Cole folded and ducked the Kendrick battle, why Drake keeps trying to prove himself and why Kanye keeps seeking validation from the streets...

Are rappers who grew up functionally middle class ever able to prosper? Did Chance the Rapper ruin his shot?

Are the children of rappers who are even marginally successful able to thrive unless they themselves grow up struggling?

Can being Jaden or Willow Smith or one of T.I.’s kids last forever? Rev Run’s kids didn’t last too long.

You know, I thought the blog rap era would bring in a wave of artists who weren’t trying to cater to the streets and try to pivot to the cul-de-sac life, but it seems the same elements keep creeping in and forcing everyone down a “struggle” funnel of trying to relate to the absolute bottom in order to validate your existence as a rapper.

I mean, Russ is BARELY doing it...
Kanye grew up "middle class" finacially speaking. He just grew up near the hood. @CHICAGO was Ye home in the hood or just hood adjacent?

Kanye has an insanely successful career. Dude's weirdness just couldn't be contained.

Chance the Rapper was also very successful. Acid Rap was amazing. I didn't like Coloring Book, but it was pretty successful as well. He just dropped an absolute dud with The Big Day and didn't even attempt to have a real comeback.

Willow Smith has had a pretty decent pop career and Jaden has been okay. Regarding King, that lil nikka is a joke.

The blog era did bring in a wave, but the Drill wave was just bigger. Much easier barrier to entry and with social media creating "stars" and people attention spans decreasing day by day, it only makes sense that "real" hip-hop just kind of fizzled out a bit.


Russ is ass.
 
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