Rap Rebirth Blog Hip-hop ghostwriting and lyricism

27Jan/1142

A Vision for Hip Hop

"Now I take a trip around the world twice - from knowledge born back to knowledge precise" - Rakim

In the mid 90s hip hop was lyrically dense. Verses were layered, internal rhyme schemes ruled, and "that buck that bought a bottle could've struck the lotto." Rappers like Nasty Nas made the grimy world of intercity living an appealing landscape of multisyllabic double entendres. The listening experience was a complex journey for the verbally visual mind. On songs like Camp Lo's "Luchini" the active listener was rewarded with deeper meanings the casual passerby missed. I'm still catching new things. 90s hip hop was a mentally stimulating experience that, contrary to public opinion, made you smarter as you listened.

Today it's more hit or miss. Underground artists like Fashawn, J. Cole, and Jay Electronica proudly wave the lyricist's flag. Aboveground rappers (who I'll leave unnamed) make emotionally compelling music but lack that complex 90s punch. I equate it to a delicious four course gourmet meal with low nutritional value. You love it while you're eating it. It taste great. But when you finish you find yourself hungry for more.

A lot of people will say this decline is due to commercialism. Once hip hop became a billion dollar industry it was only natural it would lose it's intricate lyrical nuance. I disagree. I think music fans are intelligent enough to appreciate complex lyricism. Look at Eminem's album "Recovery". It's as technically complex as anything that dropped in the 90s and is, so far, this year's best selling album. Look at a song like Big Pun's "Not a Player". His wordplay and flow are incredible and the song was a career defining hit. I think at some point rappers stopped caring. They got lazy. Good enough replaced above and beyond. It became a race to the bottom of lyrical standards.

At the same time the production quality of hip hop has improved. You have breathtaking, high budget beats from artists like Justice League, Kanye West, and Dr Dre. Don't get me wrong, I love 90s production, but today it's on a whole other level. Songs like Rick Ross' "Maybach Music III" sound amazing and set the perfect mood. Kanye's and Jon Brion's work on "Late Registration" was awe-inspiring. Live orchestration is no longer a novelty, it's becoming the norm.

With this in mind, I'd like to paint an alternate reality of hip hop. Imagine a musical world where artists with the lyrical sophistication of Rakim flow over Justice League beats. I think ghostwriters are the key to creating this kind of music. There's a generation of amazing writers who grew up listening to 90s hip hop. They're an untapped resource for rappers today. Their talent could be utilized in a crowd-sourced way to create the best lyrics for the most popular rappers (who may not have the time, talent or desire to improve their lyrics themselves).

Some may raise concerns of artist integrity. If a rapper's using someone else's lyrics then doesn't that make them less genuine? My answer is no, it makes them more resourceful. Rappers can still be the driving creative force behind a song or album. They can set the artistic vision and define specific parameters for writers to fill in. The easiest way to think about this is to compare it to film making. Martin Scorsese doesn't write the scripts for his movies but no one would deny that they're his artistic creations. He sets forth a larger idea and directs people under him who specialize in areas where they have more competence. If more rappers use ghostwriters as tools to reach more complex and interesting levels of expression then it's a win for hip hop fans the world over.

Comments (42) Trackbacks (1)
  1. Superb post and you are a great writer.

  2. hello!This was a really splendid subject!
    I come from milan, I was luck to come cross your theme in bing
    Also I obtain a lot in your website really thanks very much i will come daily

  3. You have touched some great points and i am really happy about that.

  4. Nice site, nice and easy on the eyes and great content too.

  5. Oooh, you’re such an inspiration. I love this blog!

  6. this post is very usefull thx!

  7. This is a fantastic website, would you be interested in doing an interview about just how you created it? If so e-mail me and my friends!
    maleextra

  8. The producers for Trey Songz, Young Jeezy, Plies, Lil Boosie, Bone Thugs N Harmony, and Jim Jones are selling beats over at http://www.Jaywaninc.com for filthy cheap prices…just thought I’d get the word out. Thanks *exits quietly*

  9. Nice blog! Props for the background – I think I saw a Jeru and Rakim quote so far :)

    As someone who studies hip hop, the whole concept of an MC – master of ceremony – has been reversing into CM – “common motherfuckas rapping about Lexus’ and Benz” to quote Wyclef. No longer are most rappers providing some creative input into their music. You have a point in saying at some point rappers got lazy. But what made them like that? I think it was mostly the record industry – who often push their own money making agenda and who’s bottom line is the dollar with no real connection to the culture/history of hip hop or the origins of great 90s MCs – and the audiences themselves who purchase such garbage. Artists, particularly those rooted in the Old School era, remind us that before this thing called hip hop emcees/inner city youth had no voice, were responding to the ever increasing violence and drug abuse and social and economical neglect of their neighborhoods.

    Not every MC(under or above ground) associates with such an upbringing, however, even the subject matter in the 90s varied beyond the handful of topics that prevail on the radio or most above ground rappers. I realize you’re trying to sell something here, and there is a place for that. But my opinion of it is we’re discrediting the art of emceeing too much with services like this. The re imagining of hip hop you portray is VERY appealing, and I can see many above ground rappers who could benefit. But if that were to occur, they would no longer be EMCEEES but entertainers, really.

  10. The producers for Trey Songz, Young Jeezy, Plies, Lil Boosie, Bone Thugs N Harmony, and Jim Jones are selling beats over at http://www.Jaywaninc.com for filthy cheap prices…just thought I’d get the word out. Thanks *exits quietly*

  11. I have got great knowledge from you article and i will come back again to get more knowledge.

  12. It’s not that I want to duplicate your internet site, but I really like the design. Could you tell me which theme are you using? Or was it tailor made?

  13. I like that site layout ! How was it made. It’s really sweet.

  14. Hi buddy, your blog’s design is easy and clean and i like it. Your blog posts are superb. Please preserve them coming. Greets!!!

  15. The producers for Trey Songz, Young Jeezy, Plies, Lil Boosie, Bone Thugs N Harmony, and Jim Jones are selling beats over at http://www.Jaywaninc.com for filthy cheap prices…just thought I’d get the word out. Thanks *exits quietly*

  16. Very Nice site, I just came to know of it yesterday morning. Bookmarked this and also stumbled upon it. Thanks a lot,You had some nice ideas in the article, I enjoyed reading it.

  17. You guys must spend alot of time working on this blog. im impressed

  18. thanks, and keep up the good work

  19. The art schools… you get young kids doing the most vile and meaningless crap. I think they believe every bit of it.

  20. I know this is truly boring and you are skipping to the next comment, but I just wanted to throw you a big thanks – you cleared up some things for me!

  21. Top notch as always. I am actually happy that I’ve managed to find this blog a little while ago. Its just the right source for me to find the best tip on the way to do the things I am enthusiastic about.

  22. Outstanding blog post, I look forward to reading more.

  23. This is awesome stuff, its good to be in the know.

  24. This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks!

  25. I like the blog, but could not find how to subscribe to receive the updates by email.

  26. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  27. Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.

  28. Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog centered on the same information you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.

  29. thanks, and keep up the good work

  30. Wow, what a Superb post . Thanks a lot :-)

  31. *An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers

  32. Was looking for this – so I just tweeted your website on my account – thanks

  33. You have a great talent of writing.Best of luck and keep going.And yes i have digg your site rap-rebirth.com .

  34. *Aw, this was a really nice post. In idea I would like to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and by no means seem to get something done.

  35. I was honored to obtain a call coming from a friend as soon as he found the important tips shared in your site. Browsing your blog posting is a real brilliant experience. Thank you for thinking about readers much like me, and I would like for you the best of achievements as being a professional arena.

  36. You should really moderate the remarks here


Cancel reply

(required)