Webster tells us that a lyric is “a song-like expression of a poet’s thoughts and feelings.” It also tells us that a rhyme is “a correspondence or repetition of sounds with two or more words and/or syllables.” However for some reason a debate seems to stand tall within one of our elements of the Hip Hop culture. Most rap freestylists would come to believe that to be an ultimate MC is to spit quality rhymes off the top of their heads. Some also state that if one chooses to sit and write their rhymes on paper, then that person can never reach their highest creative level. Their goal to be that ultimate MC can never be accomplished.
In my opinion, some rap freestylists are misguided due to their lack of understanding.
Now to write lyrics however is a whole other matter for it does take skill. Why? Well, a rap lyricist must always concentrate on making the words they write come to life; to sort of paint a picture so to speak. Quality does not end up on the forefront by accident. It’s automatic. Yet, vocabulary still plays a huge part for both sides.
Why is it that some rap freestylists have problems performing their craft in a music studio which gives the appearance of being unprepared? I’ll tell you why. It’s because most rap freestylists can only gather information from their immediate surroundings meanwhile the rap lyricists come more prepared. Every word they write is highly important to the them, therefore difficulties are minimal in the music studio.
On the flip side, a rap lyricist cannot enter an MC battle spittin’ lyrics if the rule in the arena doesn’t apply for premeditation; which for the most part it does not.
Think about this for a second. Can anyone say that the rap freestylist MC Juice from Chicago is better than Rakim the rap lyricist? Or that the rap lyricist Busta Rhymes is better than Supernatural the rap freestylist?
OK, how about this other debate; agree or disagree. Does writing rhymes construct a song or does writing lyrics construct a character? My answer to that question is this, “it truly depends on that person’s state of mind.”
Here’s what I feel is the true deal. There are quite a few levels within the Art of Emceeing. In my opinion there’s a certain level for writing lyrics, another for freestylin’, another one for rocking the crowd, and there’s another level for MC battling. What those who are involved in the MC element of the Hip Hop culture need to realize is that all of these levels coexist. There should never be a debate about which level is better than the other.
Unless you wish to debate if a certain person has mastered every level that I’ve mentioned in the Art of Emceeing.
Now, if you yourself feel that you’ve mastered two out of the four levels, then you have got some more work to do. You see, once you have accomplished mastering those levels, then and only then, you should be known as an ultimate MC. MCs like KRS One, Kool Moe Dee, Big Daddy Kane, and Grandmaster Caz just to name a few.
So get back to work!
Lyrics versus Rhymes
Da Emazing One
Da Emazing One is without a doubt an Old School Scholar. Ever since the year of 1979, when He first heard "Let's Dance To The Drummer's Beat", Emazing was not only hooked, He was infused. His new passion launched Him into the skills of Lyricism, B-Boying, and Graff Writing. Hip Hop gave Him a reason to have a voice, and He now writes for Old School Scholar which gives you the true idea of the type of voice He has.
Webster tells us that a lyric is “a song-like expression of a poet’s thoughts and feelings.” It also tells us that a rhyme is “a correspondence or repetition of sounds with two or more words and/or syllables.” However for some reason a debate seems to stand tall within one of our elements of the Hip Hop culture. Most rap freestylists would come to believe that to be an ultimate MC is to spit quality rhymes off the top of their heads. Some also state that if one chooses to sit and write their rhymes on paper, then that person can never reach their highest creative level. Their goal to be that ultimate MC can never be accomplished.
In my opinion, some rap freestylists are misguided due to their lack of understanding.
Why is it that some rap freestylists have problems performing their craft in a music studio which gives the appearance of being unprepared? I’ll tell you why. It’s because most rap freestylists can only gather information from their immediate surroundings meanwhile the rap lyricists come more prepared. Every word they write is highly important to the them, therefore difficulties are minimal in the music studio.
On the flip side, a rap lyricist cannot enter an MC battle spittin’ lyrics if the rule in the arena doesn’t apply for premeditation; which for the most part it does not.
Think about this for a second. Can anyone say that the rap freestylist MC Juice from Chicago is better than Rakim the rap lyricist? Or that the rap lyricist Busta Rhymes is better than Supernatural the rap freestylist?
Here’s what I feel is the true deal. There are quite a few levels within the Art of Emceeing. In my opinion there’s a certain level for writing lyrics, another for freestylin’, another one for rocking the crowd, and there’s another level for MC battling. What those who are involved in the MC element of the Hip Hop culture need to realize is that all of these levels coexist. There should never be a debate about which level is better than the other.
Unless you wish to debate if a certain person has mastered every level that I’ve mentioned in the Art of Emceeing.
Now, if you yourself feel that you’ve mastered two out of the four levels, then you have got some more work to do. You see, once you have accomplished mastering those levels, then and only then, you should be known as an ultimate MC. MCs like KRS One, Kool Moe Dee, Big Daddy Kane, and Grandmaster Caz just to name a few.
So get back to work!