Post: #26

Juicy J is basically the only current rapper I listen to anymore. Rap has really sucked for at least the last decade.

Post: #27

(12-03-2015 08:05 PM)Jones Wrote:  

(12-03-2015 04:49 PM)Jsprint Wrote:  Am I the only one who thinks 2pac is extremely overrated? He was important for the game and has left a tremendous legacy but in terms of rapping talent he was so so

I will say a lot of people love 2pac when they only heard like two songs and cannot name a single album he has made. He is also a bit overexposed as he shows up in retail stores on shirts and sweaters. He's become an iconic figure almost like a cult of personality for the people. He is hip-hops answer to Kurt Cobain in many respects (very popular, died young, called overrated by many and became a cult of personality - even though he certainly did not mean to).

His flow cannot match Biggie. He doesn't have an album like Illmatic (although you could argue he came close). He has nowhere close to the vocabulary that RZA, GZA, or even Wale (surprisingly his vocabulary range is only slightly higher compared with the likes of Lil' Wayne, Wiz, and Jeezy). He does have the heart, energy, and knowledge to excel at rapping and making good music.

Completely disagree. 2pac is still top 5 all time

He taught Biggie how to flow and started his career, but BIG was definitely talented as well and never got enough time to reach his full potential. He has 3 albums as good or better than Illmatic (Makaveli, Me Against The World, All Eyez On Me are all classics IMO) and he probably had more material recorded than any rapper I can think of. He's as close to a poet that there ever was in the rap game and could speak about money, hoes, clothes, cars and flashin jewelry then talk about society, mothers, family, poverty, desperation and drug use just as easily. And I enjoy all those rappers you mention, but no way any of them except maybe Nas or Biggie reach his level of talent.

The Wu-Tang had their time, and is my favorite group ever, but have all faded out. Lil Wayne to me is probably the most overrated rapper of all time. Jeezy is awesome at what he does, talkin about slangin keys and trappin, but he's fairly one dimensional. Wiz is kind of a joke, he's pretty good at saying words that sound good, but not an all time great or anything. Who else is worth a shit today? Drake is softer than toilet tissue and Future is like Drake but without as much R&B singing. Most all rap today is weak ass shit. I'll take the 90s highs for the genre over today's output anyday.

Post: #28

Talent is a subjective term in the context of rap.

In terms of storytelling, song production, and making music that strikes a chord with people, 2pac is definitely top 5. He was what Kendrick is today, but on a bigger level.

In terms of technical ability (wordplay, punchlines, flow), I don't think 2pac even scratches top 10 honestly. Those spots are reserved for guys like Big Pun, Big L, Nas, and Biggie. Eminem too, but he wasn't a contemporary of those guys.

Post: #29

I agree with all that, Eminem for example is a better writer and has more humor, Pun had better flow, Nas is a better lyricist, and technically there are certainly better rappers than 2pac. But Pac had more raw emotion and charisma than them though, and that intangible ability to broadcast his "realness" and connect directly to people carried him further than people who arguably had more talent. Like Nas for example, most people would say he's a better rapper than 2pac, and he probably is technically, but he can be kind of boring too and put you to sleep with his monotone delivery. While Pac could do a party track about the most simple shit and still get you emotionally invested because of his hype factor. Sometimes less is more, and that intangible of charisma can trump a lot of other factors.

Big L was one of my favorites too, he could have definitely been an East Coast 2pac if he had more time to shine after The Big Picture.

Post: #30

Yeah, he did teach Biggie how to sound better and make the best of what he had, to maximize his potential. Pac said, "You gotta make music for the bitches" cause the guys will like what the girls like to get laid. Less is more, as a wrestling fan, look no further than Hulk Hogan or Stone Cold or The Rock. All three top performers all time, but neither remembered for their technicality (in hip-hop: being a RAPPER vs. being an ENTERTAINER). 2pac was the best of both worlds.

Lil Wayne is probably the most overrated by people who actually listen to rap music. Macklemore is the mainstream rapper that is probably overrated by most. Andre 3000 and Jay I would put up there with Kanye (who some might say is overrated) nearing them as well.

Interesting you mention all of Pacs topics of interest: there was a duality to 2pac that made him hard to define. He's not all flash like Puff but he's also not completely focused on social issues like KRS-One. He says fuck bitches, get money (which is fine, I agree with him) yet writes verses like those found in "Changes" and pretty much his whole first album: Hard to pinpoint whether was more MLK or Malcom X, and is probably more a mix of the two. Not a knock on Pac, just making an observation.

I would say Illmatic is a better album than All Eyez On Me due to having so many filler tracks, but take a handful of the best from each and they stack up. 7 Day Theory is Pacs most underrated album and is up there with the best he has ever done. Me Against The World is the album I would say comes close to Illmatic and you can make the argument it is just as good.

Yeah Wiz is meh, just tries to sound good. Drake & Future fall into that category as well.

Post: #31

Andre 3000 is my favorite rapper.

his recent verse on the erykah badu mixtape just reinstated that

Post: #32

(12-08-2015 04:46 PM)Jones Wrote:  Yeah, he did teach Biggie how to sound better and make the best of what he had, to maximize his potential. Pac said, "You gotta make music for the bitches" cause the guys will like what the girls like to get laid. Less is more, as a wrestling fan, look no further than Hulk Hogan or Stone Cold or The Rock. All three top performers all time, but neither remembered for their technicality (in hip-hop: being a RAPPER vs. being an ENTERTAINER). 2pac was the best of both worlds.

Lil Wayne is probably the most overrated by people who actually listen to rap music. Macklemore is the mainstream rapper that is probably overrated by most. Andre 3000 and Jay I would put up there with Kanye (who some might say is overrated) nearing them as well.

Interesting you mention all of Pacs topics of interest: there was a duality to 2pac that made him hard to define. He's not all flash like Puff but he's also not completely focused on social issues like KRS-One. He says fuck bitches, get money (which is fine, I agree with him) yet writes verses like those found in "Changes" and pretty much his whole first album: Hard to pinpoint whether was more MLK or Malcom X, and is probably more a mix of the two. Not a knock on Pac, just making an observation.

I would say Illmatic is a better album than All Eyez On Me due to having so many filler tracks, but take a handful of the best from each and they stack up. 7 Day Theory is Pacs most underrated album and is up there with the best he has ever done. Me Against The World is the album I would say comes close to Illmatic and you can make the argument it is just as good.

Yeah Wiz is meh, just tries to sound good. Drake & Future fall into that category as well.

Good comparison with rappers and wrestlers. Those 3 you mentioned were never the best technical wrestlers, but they all had one thing in common...off the charts charisma and ability to connect with the audience. In wrestling you are often evaluated by 5 things, technical/mat wrestling, looks, promos, high flying and the 5th one is the intangible charisma or ability to connect with your audience. Rap is very similar, you can have the voice, the delivery/flow, the lyrics/subject matter, and the look but you still need that intangible 5th element of charisma to connect and blow up to legendary status.

There are certainly rappers (or wrestlers) who master one area and are below average at others. Subject matter and lyrics in particular are lacking in rap today, most rappers today dress and look like fags with their skinny jeans and hipster outfits, and the charisma and energy isn't there for a lot of them. But when you are above average at all of them and you have a diverse array of subject matter like Pac, and on top of that you add the charisma and energy that 2pac had, you are bound for success.

Post: #33

(12-08-2015 03:21 PM)DamienCasanova Wrote:  Juicy J is basically the only current rapper I listen to anymore. Rap has really sucked for at least the last decade.

do you hang around "urban" areas a lot? just wondering.

Post: #34

(12-08-2015 04:46 PM)Jones Wrote:  Yeah, he did teach Biggie how to sound better and make the best of what he had, to maximize his potential. Pac said, "You gotta make music for the bitches" cause the guys will like what the girls like to get laid. Less is more, as a wrestling fan, look no further than Hulk Hogan or Stone Cold or The Rock. All three top performers all time, but neither remembered for their technicality (in hip-hop: being a RAPPER vs. being an ENTERTAINER). 2pac was the best of both worlds.

Lil Wayne is probably the most overrated by people who actually listen to rap music. Macklemore is the mainstream rapper that is probably overrated by most. Andre 3000 and Jay I would put up there with Kanye (who some might say is overrated) nearing them as well.

Interesting you mention all of Pacs topics of interest: there was a duality to 2pac that made him hard to define. He's not all flash like Puff but he's also not completely focused on social issues like KRS-One. He says fuck bitches, get money (which is fine, I agree with him) yet writes verses like those found in "Changes" and pretty much his whole first album: Hard to pinpoint whether was more MLK or Malcom X, and is probably more a mix of the two. Not a knock on Pac, just making an observation.

I would say Illmatic is a better album than All Eyez On Me due to having so many filler tracks, but take a handful of the best from each and they stack up. 7 Day Theory is Pacs most underrated album and is up there with the best he has ever done. Me Against The World is the album I would say comes close to Illmatic and you can make the argument it is just as good.

Yeah Wiz is meh, just tries to sound good. Drake & Future fall into that category as well.

great point.

i think in today's game, being just a "rapper" is outdated and primitive as shit. the level of complexity in melody, instrumentation and overall value is greater now than what it was in the "golden era" - kanye's growth epitomizes this. i enjoy the blending of different melodies and genre's into an overall package that's labeled as todays hip hop. i love illmatic and 36 chambers just as much as any other backpacker, but fuck it. the game has evolved. fuck all of the rigid tight rhyme schemes and monotone melodies of the past and lets take this shit as far as it can go. shit is just too conservative and dated. we need weird n*ggas like ye and andre 3000 (the love below andre 3000) to challenge the way hip hop is perceived. that's where i see the value of new n*ggas like future changing the ATL sound with dirty ass autotune and melodies. same goes with bryson tiller's new approach to r&B (trapsoul), trav putting the new houston wave on the map, etc. the whole aesthetic is part of the new experience whereas shit like complex wordplay is just one part of the game. i think some people are forgetting that with hip hop, the style is just as important as the substance - sometimes it's not really what you say but how you're saying it.

all of that complex sentence structure and boom bap beats are just one facet of the game.... you could be the best pitcher in the world, but does that make you the best baseball player?

Post: #35

(12-08-2015 05:47 PM)the chef Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 03:21 PM)DamienCasanova Wrote:  Juicy J is basically the only current rapper I listen to anymore. Rap has really sucked for at least the last decade.

do you hang around "urban" areas a lot? just wondering.

I guess so, not sure how to answer though. What do you mean?

Post: #36

(12-07-2015 02:48 PM)the chef Wrote:  Travis Scott and Future are my go to's right now. The vision for Days Before Rodeo and Rodeo are so fuckin dope. The aesthetic is something we've never seen before... Definitely not for the old souls who want a guy to just rap for them though.

(12-07-2015 03:54 PM)coverdoc Wrote:  Definitely keeping Future, Travis scott and Logic on rotation right now. I feel that it's a good mix.

Future brings that hustle mentality that lets you know the world is gritty and you have to be out here to get yours.

Travis "la flame" brings that trippy darkness I need to remind me to also do what i want to do, reject thinking like everyone else and being a ninja who doesn't give a f***.

(12-08-2015 03:21 PM)DamienCasanova Wrote:  Juicy J is basically the only current rapper I listen to anymore. Rap has really sucked for at least the last decade.

My homies.

Finally I get some dudes who aren't stuck in the 90's and have the same taste that I do.

You guys need to check out Flockaveli 1.5 if you haven't already. A little warning, it's 100% party music, no deep meaning or emotional lyrics, you can't look for that in Waka Flocka music.

http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/waka-flocka-...16137.html



I'm getting a $300 speaker for Christmas. First weekend all my roommates leave, it's goin down with this shit. This mixtape makes me wanna party and bang.

Post: #37

(12-08-2015 11:04 PM)DamienCasanova Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 05:47 PM)the chef Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 03:21 PM)DamienCasanova Wrote:  Juicy J is basically the only current rapper I listen to anymore. Rap has really sucked for at least the last decade.

do you hang around "urban" areas a lot? just wondering.

I guess so, not sure how to answer though. What do you mean?

are you friends with black and latin people who grew up in "the bad part of town"?

Post: #38

(12-08-2015 11:19 PM)Goldhawkstar Wrote:  

(12-07-2015 02:48 PM)the chef Wrote:  Travis Scott and Future are my go to's right now. The vision for Days Before Rodeo and Rodeo are so fuckin dope. The aesthetic is something we've never seen before... Definitely not for the old souls who want a guy to just rap for them though.

(12-07-2015 03:54 PM)coverdoc Wrote:  Definitely keeping Future, Travis scott and Logic on rotation right now. I feel that it's a good mix.

Future brings that hustle mentality that lets you know the world is gritty and you have to be out here to get yours.

Travis "la flame" brings that trippy darkness I need to remind me to also do what i want to do, reject thinking like everyone else and being a ninja who doesn't give a f***.

(12-08-2015 03:21 PM)DamienCasanova Wrote:  Juicy J is basically the only current rapper I listen to anymore. Rap has really sucked for at least the last decade.

My homies.

Finally I get some dudes who aren't stuck in the 90's and have the same taste that I do.

You guys need to check out Flockaveli 1.5 if you haven't already. A little warning, it's 100% party music, no deep meaning or emotional lyrics, you can't look for that in Waka Flocka music.

http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/waka-flocka-...16137.html



I'm getting a $300 speaker for Christmas. First weekend all my roommates leave, it's goin down with this shit. This mixtape makes me wanna party and bang.

i fuck with flocka on a personal level but his music is just aiiiiiiight to me. i met him a whataburger back in college and he was cool as shit and down to earth. he kept it one hunna

Post: #39

(12-09-2015 12:24 AM)the chef Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 11:04 PM)DamienCasanova Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 05:47 PM)the chef Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 03:21 PM)DamienCasanova Wrote:  Juicy J is basically the only current rapper I listen to anymore. Rap has really sucked for at least the last decade.

do you hang around "urban" areas a lot? just wondering.

I guess so, not sure how to answer though. What do you mean?

are you friends with black and latin people who grew up in "the bad part of town"?

Post: #40

Haha you guys are funny, but don't turn this into an argument thread. If he likes Juicy J then by all means let him have it. I disagree with his statement, but it's a hiphop thread so everyone's opinions accepted here.

Now juicy J killed that song with Logic and had a good flow on "Wasted" with Travis Scott. What new guys are you all listening to? I'm vibing to Mick Jenkins, Isaiah Rashad and Tut. Cilvia Demo and Waters best albums from none mainstream rappers in past 3-4 years in my opinion.

-CD

Post: #41

(12-09-2015 06:14 AM)coverdoc Wrote:  Haha you guys are funny, but don't turn this into an argument thread. If he likes Juicy J then by all means let him have it. I disagree with his statement, but it's a hiphop thread so everyone's opinions accepted here.

Now juicy J killed that song with Logic and had a good flow on "Wasted" with Travis Scott. What new guys are you all listening to? I'm vibing to Mick Jenkins, Isaiah Rashad and Tut. Cilvia Demo and Waters best albums from none mainstream rappers in past 3-4 years in my opinion.

-CD

I've been up on Tut since Rashad reposted his mixtape on his soundcloud. You really don't hear songs like Prophecy anymore.

Post: #42

Post: #43

The new Scarface is 100 times better than anything even semi popular out there. Rap really sucks now.

Post: #44

(12-09-2015 12:24 AM)the chef Wrote:  are you friends with black and latin people who grew up in "the bad part of town"?

Relax on him. Juicy was my first favorite rapper back in my freshman year. You don't have to be a hoodrat to like him. I'm a white middle class man who likes his deep-voiced assertive party raps mixed with Mike WiLL Made-It beats and personally thought Stay Trippy was one of the best hip-hop albums of 2013.

(12-09-2015 12:25 AM)the chef Wrote:  i fuck with flocka on a personal level but his music is just aiiiiiiight to me. i met him a whataburger back in college and he was cool as shit and down to earth. he kept it one hunna

I want more details on this. Of all rappers, I've always wanted to talk to Waka because despite his surface-deep music he seems like a super real guy. I have a lot of respect for him. Plus he knows what his music is about; he doesn't rap about fuckin bitches and then tries to compare himself to J. Cole. In an interview he personally disowned somebody's statement who called him "the next 2Pac".

Post: #45

^haha no it's cool man, i think that message was misconstrued. whenever i hear people say shit like "rap has really sucked for the past decade" i immediately think: white dude who's never really been exposed to hoodrats and grew up listening to talib kweli in his suburban household. not, "you listen to juicy j so you must be a hoodrat". i actually am a big fan of juicy j and have seen him in concert multiple times. i prefer three 6 mafia over his solo shit though.

i met waka late night at a fast food burger place after he performed at a frat at my university. he was super cool and was willing to shake everyones hand and take pictures. not once did he complain or act standoffish - he actually turned up with us in the frat house when his set was over haha. there was absolutely no pretense to that dude, he was cool as hell.

Post: #46

(12-09-2015 06:14 AM)coverdoc Wrote:  Haha you guys are funny, but don't turn this into an argument thread. If he likes Juicy J then by all means let him have it. I disagree with his statement, but it's a hiphop thread so everyone's opinions accepted here.

Now juicy J killed that song with Logic and had a good flow on "Wasted" with Travis Scott. What new guys are you all listening to? I'm vibing to Mick Jenkins, Isaiah Rashad and Tut. Cilvia Demo and Waters best albums from none mainstream rappers in past 3-4 years in my opinion.

-CD

i saw isaiah rashad at a bar in sxsw about 2 years ago when cilvia demo first came out. his live performance was ehhhhhh but once i got home and listened to cilvia demo i was feelin it. kind of like a jump off good kid maad city but not as good. definitely a good prospect to watch.

as for cilvia demo being top 3 of newcomes in the past few years i disagree. i would rank the acid rap and days before rodeo before it.

Post: #47

Not rap, but how do you guys feel about Justin Timberlake? I'm a definite fan.

Also, with all the attention turned towards sloot wannabes like Miley Cyrus and Iggy Azalea, I wish we saw more of this girl to illustrate what a real woman performer looks and sounds like:

Post: #48

(12-09-2015 02:52 PM)the chef Wrote:  i met waka late night at a fast food burger place after he performed at a frat at my university. he was super cool and was willing to shake everyones hand and take pictures. not once did he complain or act standoffish - he actually turned up with us in the frat house when his set was over haha. there was absolutely no pretense to that dude, he was cool as hell.

Shit man. Was that the one in Alabama a couple years ago? I think I had heard about that. Tell me how it was with him in the frat house afterward. Did you get a picture with him?

(12-09-2015 06:14 AM)coverdoc Wrote:  What new guys are you all listening to? I'm vibing to Mick Jenkins, Isaiah Rashad and Tut. Cilvia Demo and Waters best albums from none mainstream rappers in past 3-4 years in my opinion.

Que.

http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/que-i-am-que...16130.html



Dropped this over Thanksgiving break. Amazing quality for a newbie. Should put him on the map.

Post: #49

(12-09-2015 03:23 PM)Mr. Brightside Wrote:  Not rap, but how do you guys feel about Justin Timberlake? I'm a definite fan.

I think he is just an opportunist trying to cash-in on the whole R&B/Hip-Hop fusion. He's just adding a bit more commercial sound and pop to it.

Nothing wrong with that, but there are other guys out there doing it much better such as Miguel, The Weeknd, and Bryson Tiller.

Post: #50

futuresex/love sounds was ill. timbaland totally forgot how to make beats like that. some of justified was lit too, only because of him working with the neptunes.

Edit: @goldhawkstar, no it was at UT Austin. it was cool man, he was pouring up champagne in plastic solo cups and talking to sorority groupies haha. i didn't really have a conversation with him but i just gave him daps and told him i fucked with his wave. i didn't get a pic with him saved on my phone, but i got a snapchat when he jumped into the crowd (the stage was some jump off shit that pledges probably made and was set up in the middle of a small basketball court) and started wilding out during his performance.