Some of the better lyricists and musicians in rap and hiphop?


Going old school, I’ve always admired Chuck D’s powerful voice and his lauded expression and articulation in his delivery. Along those lines, Outkast’s voices and hooks are classic. And Nas’s lyrics are as good as anything ever released in the genre. You combine PE’s Nation of Millions with Nas’ Illmatic and sprinkle in some "Ms. Jackson" and you have the first 20 years of hiphop.


Nowadays Anderson .Paak delivers beautifully, as did Mac Miller (rip).


Please note the topic and add constructively to the conversation.
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I was telling my students that country and rap have in common the ability to deliver a great metaphor or play on language that makes you look at things differently.


Like in "Django Jane" when Janelle monae is talking about being devalued as a female rapper by the entertainment industry and "I cut em off, I cut em off, I cut em off like Van Gogh." Followed by
" move back, take a seat, you were not involved
And hit the mute button
Let the vagina have a monologue…"

I was telling my students that country and rap have in common the ability to deliver a great metaphor or play on language that makes you look at things differently.
Good approach. I never gravitated to either genre, but learned plenty through just modest exposure.
I’m rather partial to Young MC. Something about his style just gets the body moving. Jamming out to Stone Cold Rhymin’ while typing this.

Much more coherent and educated than Old MC, that’s for sure.
@orpheus10 you know what else sing sing has? A lot of paranoid bigoted white people. You'd fit right in.