Sep 22, 2020 Yeah ffs lets not turn this into a typical american race thing. I didn't say anything about the content, I just think that song is more enjoyable than any song on TPAB
Sep 22, 2020 A big mental hurdle that some ppl, including some rappers, never get over is what I like to call “inception syndrome” As played out as saying “it’s like South Park” is,... it’s like South Park when they spend half an hour having to explain to the kids that inception isn’t the best thing in the world just cuz it’s complex. No amount of rational discourse will convince these people that something simpler can be of the same quality, unless it’s essential in the formation of their glorified complex works (see 80s hip hop and its reverence by ppl who claim to hate simple rhyme schemes simply cuz it’s the precursor to their preferred art)
Sep 22, 2020 Revisited both recently. I prob would’ve agreed back in the day but def not anymore. T&Y seems a bit random sometimes, and the guest singers feel forced and industrial
Sep 22, 2020 Obviously can’t speak for anyone except myself but I just don’t think the music is that good. Also a lot of it is pushback against the album’s fans, shoutout to besky
Sep 22, 2020 Ehh, who cares anyway, this is one of my favorite Lupe cuts. He absolutely kills it every line
Sep 22, 2020 when I tore my ACL I told them to put on TPAB instead of giving me anesthesia for the surgery. Knocked me right out. Had to play redman to wake me up
Sep 22, 2020 Lupe is the GOAT technical lyricist in hip hop followed closely by Aesop Rock. This doesn't mean that they're the best rappers because rapping goes beyond lyricism. But Lupe in his element is an ALIEN when it comes to wordplay, metaphors, entendres, etc. That being said, Kendrick has more mass appeal and is still one of the most skilled mainstream rappers out there with a better discography. And he has a better flow. But Lupe is the better lyricist hands down.
Sep 22, 2020 I think it’d be good to have a discussion on what people’s definition of lyricism is because clearly it differs.
Sep 23, 2020 Lupe isn't wrong imo. as far as Punchlines/Metaphors/entendres/ inner and out rhyme patterns Lupe is definitely superior. Doesn't always translate into great songs/albums tho. He even states that, on his IG live video with Royce he even said that the songs are just kind of a vessel for him to get his lyrics off, hes not always concerned with if what he does made a great "song" @hargydon for me, Lyricism is kind of what i mentioned above. Having internal rhyme patterns separate from the outer scheme, Punchlines, wordplay/ metaphors/similes entendres etc. it's the technical skill set with lyrics. Not so much about making a statement or telling a story as much as its what you can do with the words you're using.
Sep 23, 2020 Kendrick and Lupe are both great. But speaking in terms of lyricism, I don't see how you can't pick Lupe.
Sep 23, 2020 Conveying a story a certain way & using unique, clever or complex metaphors is harder to be perceived on what’s more impressive as everyone will have a more subjective view on that topic & I feel like that’s where Kendrick is being discredited a lot here. Also, if you focus on making a good song rather than lyrical miracles - chances are your technical ability is going to be constrained hence why rappers who focus on punches can’t make a good song most of the time, so it’s not really a fair match up if you’re not considering song writing as lyricism in my opinion.
Sep 23, 2020 Lupe’s probably right, idk I don’t really think about lyricism like that. I love the first two Lupe albums a lot, there’s some s--- on there that I just can’t imagine how he came up with, but neither one is as good as GKMC
Sep 24, 2020 I find Lupe annoying. Like, as a person. I never got into him much because he never struck me. I remember when I first heard him on 'Touch the Sky' and everyone was like "OMG THAT LUPE VERSE!!'' and I was like 'eh... '. Ye had much better verses, I find Lupe to be quite corny. I think a lot of people just like rappers with smooth voices and deliveries. Kendrick is a better rapper. And much more interesting.
Sep 26, 2020 Exactly this. Imagine grading a novel on its word count and number of 8+ letter words instead of the soul of the material. Saying “Lupe is good but his lyrics don’t always translate to better songs” shouldn’t be an excuse for Lupe but a valid criticism of his failure to format his thoughts in a way that translate to an entertainment medium
Sep 26, 2020 Brevity is the soul of wit and while I love carrera lu he overstuffs his bars so much he runs out of breath on some of the headier verses