Lupe Fiasco

#103
#103
All this is very similar to people who think Travis Barker is a world-class drummer; he's got a known background, image to boot, and a few decent tricks up his sleeve but there are a number of guys (even some in mainstream music) who are completely out of his league. Yet when discussions about great drummers come up, his name is almost always mentioned first or very soon.

Same goes for rappers. Most of the guys who are incredibly talented or even good, solid wordsmiths get to ride the backburner of a major label for an album or two at best. Guys who are regular top 40 typically suck on the mic and have lyrical content that's even worse than their skills, all they have going is slick, expensive production.
 
#104
#104
GahLee said:
Check the remix.
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I have the album. On the remix, at least he raps about actual blood diamonds. He wrote an additional verse about the subject...

And no, he doesn't keep up with Jay on that remix. Read the lyrics; it's one of Jay's weaker sets he's made, compared to what's on his albums, but I respect him for a couple reasons. He's ostensibly self-made and has a great business acumen, which I respect the hell out of. While his flow and overall grasp of rythm is on the simple side like Kanye's, his writing tends to come from a good place, and he employs occasionally masterful use of imagery, metaphor and even storytelling.
 
#106
#106
milohimself said:
First off, that's one of the more heavily sampled songs he's made, but the beat is pretty good. Music is decent overall.

However, the song, presentation and video clearly start off like it's a message about the origin of blood diamonds... Then he doesn't mention a single word of it. Not once. He goes on about the same **** he always raps about, primarily his collection of haters, his status, name-dropping Vibe Magazine (interchangeable with the Source Awards, or any chart-topping singles he's had with other artists), etc. On top of all that, he's going at a quick tempo but the rythm to his rhyme scheme is very simple 8th note stuff with minor changes, if any, in syncopation.

Again, he's a solid to great producer, but leaves a lot to be desired on the mic.
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To say he is solid to great at production is a slap in the face.

He could go toe for toe with anyone, in any genre as far as production goes.

Also, is it possible to be pretentious when you are the most influential figure in hip-hop?

He has ushered in an entire movement, without Kanye, there is no B.o.B., there is no Kid Cudi. The guy could sh*t a great album.

He has an amazing knack for melody and creating a catchy, yet original peice of work.

Again, he isn't going to blow you away on the mic but he isn't the worst thing to ever do it, he can be good at times. I know he isn't elite as far as lyrical ability, but he is in about every other category.
 
#107
#107
milohimself said:
All this is very similar to people who think Travis Barker is a world-class drummer; he's got a known background, image to boot, and a few decent tricks up his sleeve but there are a number of guys (even some in mainstream music) who are completely out of his league. Yet when discussions about great drummers come up, his name is almost always mentioned first or very soon.

Same goes for rappers. Most of the guys who are incredibly talented or even good, solid wordsmiths get to ride the backburner of a major label for an album or two at best. Guys who are regular top 40 typically suck on the mic and have lyrical content that's even worse than their skills, all they have going is slick, expensive production.
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Never and I mean never have I ever heard anyone mention Travis Barker and great in the same sentence.
You keep bringing up production, Kanye is the production. He is the catchy beat, he is the genius behind the boards.
 
#108
#108
milohimself said:
I have the album. On the remix, at least he raps about actual blood diamonds. He wrote an additional verse about the subject...

And no, he doesn't keep up with Jay on that remix. Read the lyrics; it's one of Jay's weaker sets he's made, compared to what's on his albums, but I respect him for a couple reasons. He's ostensibly self-made and has a great business acumen, which I respect the hell out of. While his flow and overall grasp of rythm is on the simple side like Kanye's, his writing tends to come from a good place, and he employs occasionally masterful use of imagery, metaphor and even storytelling.
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He more than keeps up with J...he spit a very good verse.
 
#110
#110
I've separated Kanye the producer from Kanye the rapper in every one of those posts. I appreciate his production ability. I won't call him the best out there because he samples soooooooo much of the time, but he can piece together a good beat and catchy hook every time he goes at it.

But there are enough rappers out there that I have the luxury of picking and choosing who I want, and still having a good size catalog, and that means being able to choose guys who have good production, make songs that I could listen to four or five times in a row, AND have them be engaging on the mic at the same time. I feel like I'm dropping IQ points when I hear Kanye's lyrics.
 
#111
#111
joeydupree said:
What about Eminem's verse in "Not Affraid"?
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I haven't kept up with Em over the last few years as much as I have wanted to. Only way I could ever think to describe him was more than the sum of his parts. I've never remembered him to do any particular thing at a best-in-class level, but the way it all came together could be, and typically has been, great.
 
#112
#112
Just mentioned it because in that verse he said he was "trying to spit one of the hardest verses of all time..."
 
#117
#117
joeydupree said:
What about Eminem's verse in "Not Affraid"?
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Which one?

I think he is his best when he rapping about Proof...the song where he uses the Ozzy sample is very good.

He has improved ten fold in his flow and delivery over the years but he is still has songs where just flat out misses on subject matter ( see "white trash party" ), at least I believe that is the title.

Dude has serious skill on the mic, I would like to see him return tio his days of Infinite. He was a more run of the mill rap artist, I know that sounds bad, to want him to be like the rest but it would be interesting to see him rap like that again.
 
#121
#121
Really, my favorite thing about Lupe is that he doesn't drink or smoke. The music is great, but he's trying his best to live right.
 
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