how do YOU judge a rapper? Options

[push kicks]

what to you determines how nice a rapper is? do punchlines factor in more than flow? does voice play a bigger part than charisma? does the beat play a factor at all? i'll offer my insight after i see a couple of posts ..

[*Statues/Shadows*]

I think it's something along the lines of: can I listen to this without feeling ill?

I'm not kidding, either.

[push kicks]

so what makes you ill about a rap song? is it the fast paced beat, lyrical content, or do you dislike the voices of select rap artists? as i said before, any and all insight is great ..

[Retrogressive]

Lyric content, I love rappers who can come up with creative and insightful lyrics... if you're singing about a girl's ass, guns, or how much money you have it's just crap in my eyes.

[MrElsewhere]

rhymes and flow. depth, subject matter, and attitude.

also, wordplay and story telling. punches are nice, but i'd rather hear them in freestyles.

the beat does factor in somewhat, but not that much. The beat has to fit the mood of the song, but there are exceptions.

[*Statistik*]

flow. emotion. content. structure. those four categories come first in my mind when judging a rapper or a rap song. punchlines, meta's, multies, those all come next ..

[StrangeMagic]

Content, and quality. I can't stand when they have a song that repeats the same line OVER AND OVER!

[MrElsewhere]

^ GO DJ. THATS MY DJ.

[push kicks]

rhymes and flow. depth, subject matter, and attitude.

also, wordplay and story telling. punches are nice, but i'd rather hear them in freestyles.

the beat does factor in somewhat, but not that much. The beat has to fit the mood of the song, but there are exceptions.

that's cool but let's go more in depth. you remind me of myself when i first got into hip hop lol.. so what do you consider 'lyrical'?

me personally i am a big fan of multi syllable rhyming. that is probably the sole reason why i consider fabolous one of my top 15. after that it's wordplay - which is probably the toughest to do correctly. flow is last to me because unless you have an especially nice flow (and im talking top 5 percent) rappers such as royce da 5'9 or eminem you aren't that much nicer than someone with below averge flow ..



and i mean yo, content and quality are a given. i dont know many people who would prefer a monotonous rap over a fresh creative verse on the same beat. im trying to get more in depth.. what do you consider lyrical?

[MrElsewhere]

yeah i read back that post and got that feeling too.

i like hearing multis, a good story, and wordplay. If you a rapper could throw a bunch of multis into a story and play around with some words, then that would be ideal. immortal tech - dance with the devil? almost there, but i can't think of any word play. does I Used to Lover H.E.R. fit that? i think so, but i'm not lookin at the lyrics.

oh and something i didn't mention before is creativity, coming up with a new concept. off the top, i can think of Em's Stan and The Ugly Truth by Louis Logic.

and to be frank, i'm not impressed with how hardcore any rapper can be.

i prefer rappers that speak on something that is important rather than just craft rhymes for the sole purpose of rhyming over a beat (but sometimes i just like to listen to some nice rhymes). that's why immortal tech is one of my favorites. dude sayin some stuff that people need to hear.

edit:

i liked the word play in Failure by Lupe and the concept in Switch.

[push kicks]

louis logic is another example of consistent multis. he reminds me alot of eminem, especially on his album sin-a-matic - from his lyricism to his rhyme schemes to his abstract concepts .. him, eminem, and fabolous are the three rappers that consistently string together 6-7 syllable multis without sounding forced ..

i prefer rappers that speak on something that is important rather than just craft rhymes for the sole purpose of rhyming over a beat (but sometimes i just like to listen to some nice rhymes). that's why immortal tech is one of my favorites. dude sayin some stuff that people need to hear.

immortal technique is alllright. ever since he gained popularity after the green lantern mix of bin laden he was been relying on his gimmick of 'shock rap' to get big. same reason i don't like dead president, they are being controversial and sacraficing knowledge for the shock factor. im all for social commentary but what dead prez and immortal technique are saying is just stupid.

i like hearing multis, a good story, and wordplay. If you a rapper could throw a bunch of multis into a story and play around with some words

completely unrelated but have you heard joe budden's 3 sides of a story? since you like good story telling tracks .. me personally storytelling tracks cant keep my attention for too long






anyways .. i love punchlines ..

[MrElsewhere]

true that tech does use a lot of shock in his raps.

i been meaning to listen to some joe budden, so i'll check that track out.

[push kicks]

song : http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?acti...4705A0F6ECD9D11

lyrics : http://www.joebudden.org/forums/joe-budden...tory.html?pp=10

[*nightmare4taki*]

An impressive rapper to me is one that can play on your emotions, one that can actually make you feel like damn I can relate to that, and makes it so touching to the point where you know without a doubt its not some fallacious defecated garbage. As far as anything esle, regardless of the lyrical ability of the rapper, If the rapper has charisma he can succeed in the rap game. True enough the south has ruined hip hop, but they do have charisma, on the other hand most if not all are not guys i see on my top 10 list of great rappers. I know people say Pac is overrated but to me I feel despite his what some may see as insufficient lyrical talent compared to others, I feel he is one of the greatest because he was able to send out a powerful message which no matter the person's racial makeup, they could relate and understand the message that was being purveyed.

[starlette]

people who say more than OKAY and YEAH and AYYYY. And I guess like, people who can say something to me that is meaningful without cluttering it up with sensless language. thats why I'm in love with Lost and Found.

[xmkaex]

-to me, first, its the lyrics and the flow the rapper uses. like nightmare4taki said, i too think that there has to be an emotion to it. wheter it's talking about love, hate, a bad past, etc. sometimes all they rap about is money, girls and all that stuff...its get annoying
-i also listen to the beats of the song. they play a big factor. sometimes the lyrics go hard but the beats is ehhh.

[Something Vague]

rhymes and flow. depth, subject matter, and attitude.

also, wordplay and story telling. punches are nice, but i'd rather hear them in freestyles.

the beat does factor in somewhat, but not that much. The beat has to fit the mood of the song, but there are exceptions.

w0rd.

And this goes for most rappers.
The only rapper I hold a little respect for is Eminem. And he's white. Now, I'm not saying I'm racist. Because I'm not. But with the majority of black rappers [if not all] who rap about girls shaking their greasy asses and how much 'bling bling' they own, would you be surprised that other cultures are against this, and with that knowledge, become the slightest bit against 'those people'. Of course, it is completely wrong of them to take it out on all, but it is an aweful lot of it going around and it gives those decent black people a bad name.

[push kicks]

would you be surprised that other cultures are against this, and with that knowledge, become the slightest bit against 'those people'.

no i wouldn't be surprised because it's not true. rap music is the fastest growing and most popular genre right now, among every single race. while you are talking like rap is on its decline because of its derogatory lyrics rap is the fastest growing genre both in terms of artists and listeners.. aside from that ..

while im not condoning or even supporting the rap artists you have just stereotyped, i can confidently say that there are just as many minority mainstream artists that talk about the same issues you hate. bubba sparxxx, stagga lee, lil wyte, and even your boy eminem .. and there are even more mainstream black rappers who talk about what you would support.. great job blanketing your closet racist statements with a i am not racist disclaimer ..

you better off just listening to avril lavigne.. peace

[yummy_delight]

It's all about the lyrics.

Wit is good, and intelligent rap isn't played often on mainstream radio. The subject of their songs is also important. I've lost count of how many rappers choose to rap solely about getting some ass and grinding on the dance floor. I really respect rappers who break free from that stereotype and choose to rap about something different. I agree with nightmare4taki about emotions. Great rappers make you feel something when you listen to them. There should be some sort of a connection between the rappers and their audience.

[Heartless Hero]

okay this is my opinion, it isnt meant to hurt any1:

i believe the only good rap is the one that tells stories about our society or life in general. no exagerations plz. we dont need to know where you want to put your penis.

thats just me.

i <3 2pac

[MrElsewhere]

we dont need to know where you want to put your penis.

Common - Retrospect for Life. Emotional song about abortion. Real life ish.

[Heartless Hero]

well let me clear up my response.

i mean as in with booty hoes and cars. you get me?

i mean some of these rappers videos are just rly funny though XD

their like runnin from cops as if thats wut they do everyday, lol.

[MrElsewhere]

lol wth.

after the quote i put a "lol" it disappeared on me.

i feel you. a lot of these dudes are just working the gimmick.

[AZN_DRAGON]

Lyrics is how i judge rappers. Like i think Jeezy is wack saying Patty Cake Patty Cake in his And Then What song.

[Heartless Hero]

i know it might be considered something lots of ppl like

but its for a reason, i truly felt 2pacs lyrics.

hes the reason i ever even listened to rap.

"...no one knows my struggle they only see the trouble, not knowing it's hard to carry on when no one loves you..."

they just...i dunno i love the words though.

thats rap.

[fameONE]

It depends. Am I judging a thoroughbred emcee, or just you're everyday drugs/bitches/bling rapper?

[EddieV]

I like storytelling with a good beat, and a catchy tune.

[shoryuken]

what to you determines how nice a rapper is? do punchlines factor in more than flow? does voice play a bigger part than charisma? does the beat play a factor at all? i'll offer my insight after i see a couple of posts ..

youu lookk iff deyy FUNNII LOOKIN!!!! wenn deyy makee demm gay@zz handd movezz n thaa wayy deyy walkk!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[LoveToMySilas]

-If I can understand what they're saying
-If they can rap along with the music
-If they have good lyrics

then they get brownie points. I always liked Eminem's songs about Hailey.

[MissHygienic]

How pointless the lyrics are--always the best.

[YahTrickYahhh]

How pointless the lyrics are--always the best.

Yep those are usually the ones that are number one on the billboard.

I.E. Soulja Boy - Crank Dat.

[fameONE]

You can't really put rappers like Soulja Boy in the same category as Common. That's a given.

Honestly, you can't really consider Soulja Boy hiphop, or an emcee. Like it or not, it's urban pop music.

[Simba]

One key point I look at is if they practice what they preach. Not necessarily literally, but in a sense. They might talk the talk, but can they walk the walk? You bet I'll probably be taking their lifestyle into account. Don't be a born-in rich boy talking biographically as a kid living in the ghetto.

I usually excuse human errors (because human error is a beautiful thing) such as rapping slightly off beat if they can balance it out with some cool lyrics.

[shoryuken]

i chekk howw darkk theyy r...!!!

HAHAHAHAAH!!!

[absinthe]

Coherence(LOL), beat.

Sometimes lyrics.

Common - The Light.

:)

[Simba]

i chekk howw darkk theyy r...!!!

HAHAHAHAAH!!!

So that must make Wesley Snipes the best rapper around!

[tokyo-rose]

Their lyrics can't be totally stupid and/or sexual, I have to be able to understand them most of the time, and the beat has to be decent.

Rappers I can't stand because their music doesn't meet my criteria (which aren't that high): 50 Cent.

[MFDOOM]

I learned how to emcee by writing book reports. My rhymes need to be a in a storybook format. The story doesn't have to make sense, and it could abruptly change subject, but it will still have that structure. Trust me. I'm doper than a spoon in the 80s.

16 bars of lame ass ice metaphors are played out like a rope chain.

[shoryuken]

So that must make Wesley Snipes the best rapper around!

NUB... micchaeell jackksonn r R.kkeellyy foo!!!

wesleyy aintt darkk.. datt mofoo broown likee fryy ricee..

[*yrrnotelekktric*]

Lyric content, I love rappers who can come up with creative and insightful lyrics... if you're singing about a girl's ass, guns, or how much money you have it's just crap in my eyes.

seriously. and then there`s being in the club and getting high, etc.

Lupe fiasco is one of the best right now, in my opinion. 8D

His voice isnt cliche, his lyrics are beyond understandable, he doenst sound like he's trying to hard as well. His voice is just nice, and perfectly deep.

eeeeeeeeeeexctly.

[jesusisthebestth...]

I judge a rapper based on delivery & flow. Some great rappers have no style and that makes them suck. I love Lil Wayne, but I'll be the first to say some of the shit he says is so ignorant - but the way he says it makes me listen to him. His flow makes him one of the best rappers on the radio today, notice I said radio.

Lyrical content is very important, but that's only when you're judging real emcees, not these jackasses on the radio.

[RealTalk]

This just doesn't go for rap, but for all music I listen to. I first judge on content because I really can't listen to something I don't agree with or is just...fake.

Then I judge on sound and flow. It's a big factor because it's the first thing that gets people interested. I really like a unique sound.

[CruelDemeanor]

People don't really listen to lyrics now days. It's more than "oh i just like this beat." I hated when people say there favorite rapper is so and so and can't remember the lyrics but only like there beats. :|

But who i like is the conscience rappers like Talib, Common Sense aka Common, Jean Grae (one of the best female rapper out to date), lupe, Mos Def, Nas and Jay-Z. People say they don't like them....why? Because they don't understand what they're talking about. It sucks that a lot of Rappers that i call "crappers" have to dumb down everything to get radio play and airplay.

[illriginal]

Jurassic 5, Binary Star, Jedi Mind Tricks, Immortal Technique, Ill Bill, etc... listen to them, that's real hip hop. Not T-Pain, Lil Jon, or what have you. Basically everything on MTV/BET sucks.

[Simba]

People don't really listen to lyrics now days. It's more than "oh i just like this beat." I hated when people say there favorite rapper is so and so and can't remember the lyrics but only like there beats. :|

And even though it's apparently about the beat, most producers and DJs alike seem to be under appreciated these days.

Basically everything on MTV/BET sucks.

J5 was on MTV at one point. (But I catch ya drift.)

[CruelDemeanor]

And even though it's apparently about the beat, most producers and DJs alike seem to be under appreciated these days.

J5 was on MTV at one point. (But I catch ya drift.)

Yeah.
i remember BET/MTV use to play them all the time.
But shit don't see that anymore. I refuse to watch either station.
Sending a bad vibe to people that don't know Hip-hop but thinks that what it was all about. yeah they had some likes but they didn't get aired as much. But when 1999 came it was over.

[SarahxJoy]

Jurassic 5, Binary Star, Jedi Mind Tricks, Immortal Technique, Ill Bill, etc... listen to them, that's real hip hop. Not T-Pain, Lil Jon, or what have you. Basically everything on MTV/BET sucks.

Jedi Mind Tricks & Immortal Technique.

I judge a rapper by the content of their lyrics and their style of how they put their words to the music they put it together with. (That sounds confusing to me, but I think you get it.)