A Lyricist vs. A Punchline Rapper...

[NothingButTheTruth]

Is there really a difference? I do think so. IMO a lyricist is someone who can tell a story with their rhymes, can talk about any subject and make that shit flow naturally. A punchline rapper is someone with average flow who has a good line here and there. Do ya'll believe there is a difference? Should they be in the same catagory? Examples?

You answered your own question.

Punchlines Rappers: Cassidy, Joe Budden, Fab, Ross(he tries to be), Wayne, Juelz Santana, Ludacris, Royce Da 5'9, Drake, Nicki etc.

Lyricists: Andre 3000, Black Thought, Nas, Jay Electronica, Busta Rhymes, Styles P, Common, Beanie, Cube, DMX, Mos Def etc.

 

[TRILLip Brooks]

DMX a lyricist? who's next 50 Cent

 

[Like Water]

You answered your own question.

Punchlines Rappers: Cassidy, Joe Budden, Fab, Ross(he tries to be), Wayne, Juelz Santana, Ludacris, Royce Da 5'9, Drake, Nicki etc.

Lyricists: Andre 3000, Black Thought, Nas, Jay Electronica, Busta Rhymes, Styles P, Common, Beanie, Cube, DMX, Mos Def etc.

WHOA! @ bolded! Really my dude? Royce and Joey aren't lyricists? Uh... Bar Exam, Mood Muzik series ring a bell? Joe has some of the best, albeit underrated, storytelling abilities. (Three Sides To A Story, If I Die Tomorrow) and Royce's rhyme schemes are usually crazy nice.

Granted, both of them do use a lot of punchlines but they don't need 'em to make a dope song.

 

[unbreakable_tek]

Punchlines fall withing "Lyricism" itself. Unless you understand the structuring of bars and internal rhyming.. you wont be able to pull of punches properly. There is a major difference due to the fact that most punchline rappers are narrow and have a very limited subject matter. Big L is a prime example of what a true lyricist can accomplish when properly applying every element in punches.

Big L

Big L is that brother you expect, to catch wreck/
on any cassette deck, i'm so ahead of my time my parents havent met yet/

I mean... come on.

I believe the rawest form of a lyricist are cats like Blu, Common, Talib and Mos def. Those artist whom rely on a heavy dosage of reality and simple yet abstract and artistic verses to carry them.

A well balanced rapper that i believe balances both well is Joe Budden.