Why do you have to be lyrical to be considered a great rapper?

[CaRnAgEViOLaToR]

well of course you need to be a good lyricist (because thats what rap is about, good lyricism, good beat, good flow) but you also need to be a good artist. canibus might be one of the greatest lyricists of all time but he'll never be as good of a arists as nas (who is also one of the goat lyricists) because his albums aren't as great. nas writes **** that blows your mind away (stories, deep tracks people can relate to). thats why i think hes one of the best artists in music period. and canibus is more of a skilled freestyle, battle rapper type.

but thats just my opinion.

[res]

By "lyrical" I assume you mean "complex"

Will Smith=great rapper that wasn't "lyrical". Kool Moe Dee, LL Cool J, EPMD, Nature, Mobb Deep, Shyne, Slug, Beastie Boys, Guru, B-Real, Masta Ace, Devin The Dude, Pimp C, Too Short, Buckshot, DMX (2003 and prior, before the crack broke him), Q-Tip (candidate for top ten all-time)............

Kool Moe dee was a major pioneer of lyrical rap, even before Rakim. You have to compare him to rappers from his own time to fully appreciate it though.


Guru not lyrical?


Above Clouds

[Guru]
I self Lord and Master shall bring disaster to evil factors
Demonic chapters, shall be captured by Kings
Through the storms of days after
Unto the Earth from the Sun through triple darkness to blast ya
with a force that can`t be compared
to any firepower, for it`s mindpower shared
The brainwake, causes vessels to circulate
like constellations reflect at night off the lake
Word to the father, and Mother Earth
Seeking everlasting life through this Hell for what it`s worth
Look listen and observe
and watch another C-Cypher pullin my peeps to the curb
Heed the words; it`s like ****** style proverbs
The righteous pay a sacrifice to get what they deserve
Cannot afford to be confined to a cell
Brainwaves swell, turnin a desert to a well
Experience the best teacher; thoughts will spray
like street sweepers Little Daddy street preacher
Illustrious feature, narrator you select
Accompanied by Deck plus the DJ you respect
The seven and a half combine, over the frontline
The ten percenters, promotin slander in the airtime
Bear in mind ***els be the tools of the trade
Sharp veins heavenly praise and dues are paid


Check The technique


You puny protozoa, you're so minute you didn't know the
Gang has been watchin but instead of just squashin you
I'm scoopin you up out of the muck you wallow in
like a chief chemist, other scientists are following
planning to examine you, on a petrie dish
Sticking you and pricking you, just a teenie bit
I'm clever, with science, but never relying
on false words from cowards who forever be trying
Insisting they come off, I let 'em get some off
Then come back wit drum tracks, their ears could get numb off
Blockbustin, like makin love, I'll never stop thrustin
into your system, so just listen
I'm like a neurosurgeon, operating with a purer version
I write prescriptions, of words that fit in
The thought gets prescribed, as I kick it live
Cause it's more that a style, it's conceptual genius
My effect on the scene is, to project that I mean this
You deadbeat, wait until you see my next feat
I get respect for the rep when I speak
Check the technique

[res]

I think there are more elements to a rapper then just him being lyrical. Leave all that for the poets................

The classic opinion was never that lyrics were all that was necessary. Infact mic presence mattered before lyrics did back in the day.

It's true, some people nowadays do think that lyrics are all that matters (I guess that's why Eminem is popular. You can sound like a cornball but if you have some lyrics it's ok.). In the end it is music and how it sounds is important.

I think you can say that a rapper is good if he is not lyrical but not "great" . Rappers are not singers, they don't have to carry a tune, but they must have some responsibility, and that responsibility is lyrical. To be considered "great" he has to atleast have some amount of lyrical skill (like 2pac).

[flipside]

vers stop making a fool out of yourself. get back to lifting furniture.

[Verstyle]

vers stop making a fool out of yourself. get back to lifting furniture.

I stopped delivering furniture almost a year ago. Catch up to 08' Boxingscene.

The bolded I highlighted? YOU.

[CRESCENDOPOWER]

vers stop making a fool out of yourself. get back to lifting furniture.

He has not made a fool of himself. His statements define why many consider the rap genre a complete joke.

[flipside]

I stopped delivering furniture almost a year ago. Catch up to 08' Boxingscene.

The bolded I highlighted? YOU.

so you've been out of a job? dayum.

stop looking at my chest and look me in the eye when we talk verse.

[Vasyl’s dad]

You have to have some skill to be considered an all time great. You cant be considered great becuase you rapped over dope beats. **** just doesnt make sense.

Lil Dap and Melachi of Group Home

[AFTER HOURS]

when it comes to rap. you should be good at rapping, lyrics, rhyming..

[Verstyle]

so you've been out of a job? dayum.

stop looking at my chest and look me in the eye when we talk verse.

Oooooooooooook?