The Case Against Lyricism

Written by Rizoh. Posted in Music

Published on March 16, 2009 with 24 Comments">24 Comments

A few days after I threw up my Top 100 Songs of ’08, I received an email from a reader who lamented that I was stuck in the 90s. He implied that I was probably sitting in an office in Manhattan compiling playlists with foreign names like Raekwon and Elzhi, while sipping some freshly brewed vanilla latte. He argued that, though the likes of SouljaBoy and Huey may not possess Rakim-esque lyrical calisthenics, their songs always get people crunk in the clubs and that should count for something. I thought about this briefly and decided he had a legitimate argument. He’s absolutely right. After all, the best way to ascertain the quality of songs has always been to guage how people respond to them while under the influence of alcohol and psychedelic lights.

I dedicate Huey’s latest video to that anonymous reader.

And I dedicate this one to the rest of you:

See? Everybody wins.

TRU

Rizoh

Rizoh is the most powerful man in all the lands. He lives in Houston where he earned a BS in Nerf Herding. He's the founder of The Rap Up, the editor of Roc4Life.com, and is in the Grammy-awaiting band Pervertable Disciples.

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  • Ivan

    And the winner is…

    Just curious: What’s your favorite EB&R track?

  • Ivan

    And the winner is…

    Just curious: What’s your favorite EB&R track?

  • http://my.rawkus.com/profile/Rizoh Rizoh

    I have an army of them. How much time do you have?

  • http://my.rawkus.com/profile/Rizoh Rizoh

    I have an army of them. How much time do you have?

  • luluortega

    Lyricism is half the battle these days, now to catch the attention to the mainstream you have to have a catchy beat and catch phrase otherwise it is a no go. Even in today’s day and age you can still get modern classics, like BE – Common; that have both but everything is so few and far between. I hope Cudi and Wale can make it, and BoB (whatever his name is now).

  • luluortega

    Lyricism is half the battle these days, now to catch the attention to the mainstream you have to have a catchy beat and catch phrase otherwise it is a no go. Even in today’s day and age you can still get modern classics, like BE – Common; that have both but everything is so few and far between. I hope Cudi and Wale can make it, and BoB (whatever his name is now).

  • Rhapsody

    My moneys on Drake to bring back that lyricism to Hip Hop.

  • Rhapsody

    My moneys on Drake to bring back that lyricism to Hip Hop.

  • Long

    You can use that minstrel shows entertained people…so its a legitimate form of art.

  • Long

    You can use that minstrel shows entertained people…so its a legitimate form of art.

  • Rick.

    Lyricism didn’t go anywhere. It just isn’t on the radio anymore.

  • Rick.

    Lyricism didn’t go anywhere. It just isn’t on the radio anymore.

  • iGotit4Cheap

    ahaha Drake.

    Rick is right. Lyricism just isn’t in the radio

  • iGotit4Cheap

    ahaha Drake.

    Rick is right. Lyricism just isn’t in the radio

  • Purpose

    Would you mind posting the letter?

  • Purpose

    Would you mind posting the letter?

  • http://my.rawkus.com/profile/Rizoh Rizoh

    Nope, don’t like putting people on blast.

  • http://my.rawkus.com/profile/Rizoh Rizoh

    Nope, don’t like putting people on blast.

  • Barry Washington

    1) drake definitely has lyrical skills; here’s a sample of them

    “The young spitter that everybody in rap fear/The game needs change and I’m the mother fucking cashier/Nickels for my thoughts, dimes in my bed/Quarters of the kush shape the lines in my head”

    thats lyricism, point blank.

    2)being lyricism has always been a bonus for credibility, however. if you strictly focus on being “lyrical” you tend to lose focus on making a good song.

    i am a true hip hop fan i can distinguish liking music between Jedi Mind Tricks, Wu-Tang Clan, Immortal Technique, The Last Emperor; 50 Cent (’03), Nelly (’00-’04), Flo Rida, Young Jeezy, etc.

    theres a difference between acknowledging talent/skill and then likability/catchiness.

  • Barry Washington

    1) drake definitely has lyrical skills; here’s a sample of them

    “The young spitter that everybody in rap fear/The game needs change and I’m the mother fucking cashier/Nickels for my thoughts, dimes in my bed/Quarters of the kush shape the lines in my head”

    thats lyricism, point blank.

    2)being lyricism has always been a bonus for credibility, however. if you strictly focus on being “lyrical” you tend to lose focus on making a good song.

    i am a true hip hop fan i can distinguish liking music between Jedi Mind Tricks, Wu-Tang Clan, Immortal Technique, The Last Emperor; 50 Cent (’03), Nelly (’00-’04), Flo Rida, Young Jeezy, etc.

    theres a difference between acknowledging talent/skill and then likability/catchiness.

  • Huh?

    You can have songs that have lyricism without sounding completely stupid.

    “Ain’t No Nigga” – Jay-Z
    “Juicy” & “One More Chance” – Notorious B.I.G.
    “Gold Digger” – Kanye West

    There’s whole lot more but people are just making excuses for some of this shit on the radio. Don’t fall for the okey-doke.

  • Huh?

    You can have songs that have lyricism without sounding completely stupid.

    “Ain’t No Nigga” – Jay-Z
    “Juicy” & “One More Chance” – Notorious B.I.G.
    “Gold Digger” – Kanye West

    There’s whole lot more but people are just making excuses for some of this shit on the radio. Don’t fall for the okey-doke.

  • Huh?

    ^^^*Club songs, is what I meant

  • Huh?

    ^^^*Club songs, is what I meant

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