Came across this short video earlier. It’s very much just an introduction (it’s only twelve minutes long), and it’s a shame there’s no room for a genius like Nas, but it’s an interesting look at the lyrical skills involved in rap.
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Kid Dynamite says
Even a bit of Kendrick in there for @tiggerlion
Tiggerlion says
Excellent! Should be compulsory viewing for those who scoff at Rap Music. It’s quite clearly much more than just putting a few rhymes over a ripped-off beat.
I love Eminem’s Lose Yourself and this video explains why the lyric is so impressive. It also highlights Lamar’s skills. MF Doom is clever and very witty but I’d like to have seen Tupac’s poetry discussed.
Lose Yourself
Poppy Succeeds says
Great stuff, thanks KD. That’s fascinating about Biggie, who always seemed to rhyme so slowly and clearly. GZA is another one who can do that. He just spins these great stories and you can pick up every word. His tales on Grandmasters are beyond brilliant.
Conversely, the MC I’m most often dazzled by is Aesop Rock. Apparently it’s a scientific fact that he has the widest vocabulary in hip hop. You sort of have to be in the mood for Aesop because he can be bit exhausting, but you discover something new every time you listen to him.
Kaisfatdad says
Academics analysing popular music always feels a bit uncomfortable to me, so I was a bit dubious for the first minute. But she really won me over. A real ear-opener.
The sophistication of some of those internal rhymes! Recommended viewing for anyone with an open mind who wants to understand what’s happening lyrically in rap.
Move over Wordsworth, let Biggie take over?
She’s even done a playlist!
Bingo Little says
That’s a great playlist.
Intl Player’s Anthem used to be a huge favourite – some brilliant lyrics and a disastrously misguided attempt at romance. It’s basically a song about a guy deciding to settle down and get married, and it’s meant to be a heartfelt paean to his new love, but it begins “my bitch a choosy lover, never fuck without a rubber” and just gets better from there.
Poppy Succeeds says
Yay, Aesop!
Lil’ Kim can mainly fuck off back to her ‘clerb’, but it’s good to see Jean Grae in there. Probably the greatest female rapper. Luscious delivery.
nigelthebald says
That was great, although I was momentarily thrown by “motive”. Was that her or did someone else do the subtitles, I wonder?
Kid Dynamite says
Same here, but a bit of digging revealed it can be used as an alternative to motif, especially in American English. Noted but excused, I’d say
nigelthebald says
Thank you for doing the research I was too lazy for.
And me a linguist! For shame 🙁