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7/13/2015 3:20:05 PM
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Between the two that you picked, Eminem is the clear winner. Much more dynamic and prolific than Diabolic.
My pick would be Kendrick Lamar. I don't want to get into the whole mainstream/underground crap, because realistically just because underground rappers are edgy and don't follow "the system" doesn't make them anymore skillful. I would also put MF DOOM over Diabolic any day. I hate when people dash an artist because they're popular, it's such an annoying hipster attitude. One of Kendrick's biggest hits (Swimming Pools) is an emotional track about alcoholism that ties into the story of GKMC.
He's a top notch lyricist, and he knows how people will react to his music, so he accomplishes his intentions. TPAB was one of the most skillfully articulated story albums I've ever heard, all while remaining socially conscious, relevant, and reviving the idea of a feel-good emcee (such as KRS-One) with tracks like "King Kunta" and "I".
Also, I find it a tad pretentious that you only put the two options you did in the poll. There are many great artists out there that contend with those two on many levels.
English
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You really should give more merit to the mainstream/ underground argument. Eminem is living proof of that argument, his new stuff, and I'm talking the last 5/6 years here is sub par compared to everything he's done prior. He sacrificed his artistic creativity in order to get more radio play, pandering to what the masses want to hear, just like all other mainstream artists do. Underground artists typically don't shit upon their own styles to get more record sales. It's more about making art their way than anything else and in my opinion makes for better music.
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Edited by The Cellar Door: 7/13/2015 5:50:24 PMNo I don't give any merit to the argument. Eminem has fell off slightly because he's trying to stay fresh and unique while maintaining a level of lyricism and presence in the rap game at 42 years old. His prime time was when he was relevant. Sure, his underground shit is amazing, but the only thing he'll be remembered for, and be remembered as a legend for, is what he did when he was in the limelight. There is also a double edged sword. What's the point of artistic work if no one can relate to it? If it's simply not receivable by the public? A lot of underground rappers are just simply purposefully edgy to be "against the system." Take "A Hunger Artist" by Franz Kafka for example. Sure people might look, might be amazed, but after the "artist" has starved in his cage, no one will care, and it will have not affected anyone emotionally that he died. Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Kanye West, Logic, Earl Sweatshirt, and many more artists have became mainstream while sticking to their artistic intentions.
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Swimming Pools is on my top ten songs of all time, know it word for word. But you know how it is, as soon as someone goes "Mainstream" in order to better further himself or provide for his family, regardless of if they kept their validity or not they'll be disliked.
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his best song was sing about me
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Mainstream/underground isn't the deciding factor here. You had a well laid out comment, and I was prepared to really give you some credit. Then you said Kendrick. The guy rarely ever has good rhymes, let alone clever ones.
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Edited by The Cellar Door: 7/13/2015 3:49:42 PM[quote]From Compton to Congress, it’s set trippin’ all around Ain’t nothin' new but a flow of new DemoCrips and ReBloodlicans[/quote] It seems like you haven't listened to much. Please, any project of his, give it a listen. C4, OD, Section.80, GKMC, TPAB, they are all masterful works of art.
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I agree, that's a clever line. But I don't agree that he's consistently witty. Sure he can say a message but in my opinion his rhymes are usually too simple.
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Does a drink's taste change if it's put in a fancy glass rather than a simple one? No, it does not. Kendrick implores plenty of double entendres in his lyrics, as well as plenty of word play, but the point is is that he maintains a level of lyricism, flow, imagery, and consistency that is simply the best out today.
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Agree to disagree, then. I just don't see it.
