Have Weak Punchlines Diminished Lyricism?

[the_focused_one]

In short: yes.

Long version: yes, but not always.

Punchlines are dominating rap nowadays, but the rappers that are coming up that are relevant (Big Krit, Jon Connor, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, etc.) are mastering the craft as we speak, and Cole in particular has actually made a concept song a single (Lost Ones in 08).

If you're talking about rappers putting out songs like Niggas Bleed or Undying Love however, it's gonna take these new rappers a couple more years to get to that level. But creativity in hip hop is SLOWLY (snail pace) coming back into play. Hip Hop just hasn't quite bottomed out yet for the average listener to demand something new... give it some more time and we'll see these other elements of rap creep back into the spotlight.

 

[Stew]

Only to those trying to get a quick buck. The real will survive.

 

[georgia boi]

In short: yes.

Long version: yes, but not always.

Punchlines are dominating rap nowadays, but the rappers that are coming up that are relevant (Big Krit, Jon Connor, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, etc.) are mastering the craft as we speak, and Cole in particular has actually made a concept song a single (Lost Ones in 08).

If you're talking about rappers putting out songs like Niggas Bleed or Undying Love however, it's gonna take these new rappers a couple more years to get to that level. But creativity in hip hop is SLOWLY (snail pace) coming back into play. Hip Hop just hasn't quite bottomed out yet for the average listener to demand something new... give it some more time and we'll see these other elements of rap creep back into the spotlight.

I agree especially with the bolded.

There was a time in Hip Hop when connecting two random thoughts with the word "like" passed for lyricism. No matter how wack or dumb the lines might've been. It was more so last decade. Since the beginning of this decade, it's been the "supa dupa flow" type punchlines that have dominated.

 

[GSonII]

Punchlines never been as important as wack ones think. Pac, Ice Cube, and many more were not into that wack shit like someone such as Luda and it helped them make better music. Someone using punches for crutches is less creative than someone just making music based on what's in there heart. The best rappers are not punchline rappers, there punches come from the feel you get and are more subtle. Real stuff that makes you say, yeah I think like that too or I just feel him on that have more punch.

 

[MC The Rapper]

In short: yes.

Long version: yes, but not always.

Punchlines are dominating rap nowadays, but the rappers that are coming up that are relevant (Big Krit, Jon Connor, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, etc.) are mastering the craft as we speak, and Cole in particular has actually made a concept song a single (Lost Ones in 08).

If you're talking about rappers putting out songs like Niggas Bleed or Undying Love however, it's gonna take these new rappers a couple more years to get to that level. But creativity in hip hop is SLOWLY (snail pace) coming back into play. Hip Hop just hasn't quite bottomed out yet for the average listener to demand something new... give it some more time and we'll see these other elements of rap creep back into the spotlight.

but cole is a punchline rapper

 

[1CK1S]

Yes but along with everthing else in hip hop it's just a fad!!!

 

[Disciplined InSight]

Only to those trying to get a quick buck. The real will survive.

This post basically answered the question of this thread.

 

[Hattie94]

Very boring!

 

[32DaysOfInfiniti]

Yea, it has changed many rappers perspective about what it really means to "snap" instead of keepin it real they just go for the shock value. Itd be like if every comedian stopped telling jokes and just did some Gallhager shit, hip hop is going through this.

 

[SlickestR]

isn't punchlines apart of being lyrical? I mean not watered down punchlines like YMCMB be on.. but like general punchlines

 

[SlickestR]

you can't even lie, rappers didn't use punchlines that heavy but when they did some of them shits were wack or basic as fuck.

 

[MC The Rapper]

isn't punchlines apart of being lyrical? I mean not watered down punchlines like YMCMB be on.. but like general punchlines

yeah its part but rappers are OD'in' on them , your whole verse can't be punchlines and punchlines transitions. We gettin a lot of forced corny punchlines. To me punchlines are supposed to be funny or really clever. Its like a comedian telling a whole bunch of corny jokes back to back and then maybe having one meh joke or good joke in a routine. I would rather a good verse than a bad verse with one good punchline.

 

[SlickestR]

yeah its part but rappers are OD'in' on them , your whole verse can't be punchlines and punchlines transitions. We gettin a lot of forced corny punchlines. To me punchlines are supposed to be funny or really clever. Its like a comedian telling a whole bunch of corny jokes back to back and then maybe having one meh joke or good joke in a routine. I would rather a good verse than a bad verse with one good punchline.

i understand what your saying doe. like when you listen to rappers back in the 90's some of their punchlines were wack for the exception of like Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, Big L and some others..

I think that it is over-saturated because of Wayne, honestly. This nigga's whole verse now is punchlines after punchlines and all most half of them are wack and basic and all the same. Like some of this shit he was saying now... would have put him in the legendary goat status in the 90's.. just think about it.

but i'm saying doe, like back then they probably had like 6 or 7 punchlines 3 16's and they were probably basic as well, but it is because they covered it by having actual lines like...

I was looking all fly with my gold chain and my new boot

I saw jenny at park looking so good in her bathing suit

I told my homies she's so sexy and sweet like a fruit....

 

[Disciplined InSight]

KRS said it best on "MCs Act Like They Don't Know"...:

You could be a mack, a pimp, hustler or player

But make sure live you is a dope rhyme sayer

A lot of these artists today falls short in the last line..

 

[5th Letter]

The artists in many ways are a reflection of the fans. There isn't a demand for lyricism fans rather catchy punchlines.

 

[The Lonious Monk]

Punchline like most simplistic shit are more accessible to the general public. True Hip Hop heads like dissecting lyrics and getting to the hidden meaning. The average Hip Hop listener is satisfied just to hear something slick over a catchy beat.

 

[Lou Cypher]

These big artists today cant make a good punchline to save their career. And that hash tag rhyme scheme is wack.

 

[yeah i rap so don't]

There is nothing wrong with punchlines at all, it is the lack of other elements or the over-saturation of improper use of them. If they all were dope there would be no issue, the issue is there is a lot of wack punchlines that people think they're smart for understanding when it was nothing clever. It is the Lil Wayne effect.

 

[lamontbdc]

folks making whole songs and whole verses about punchlines are the problem all these terrible metaphors and similes aren't helping either.

shit like "i'ma start.....Sheriff's badge". shit is so bad all I can do is laugh to stop from crying