Who Is The Greatest Lyricist Of All Time????

[genocidecutter]

Kool G Rap

Masta Ace

Tech N9ne

Rakim

Esham

Violent J of ICP

Vinnie Paz

Juz Allah

Killah Priest

Andre 3000

Ice Cube

GZA

Big Pun

Thats my list

 

[sully]

I'd probably add Pharoahe Monch, Big L, Ghostface Killah, GZA, Black Thought, Mos Def, and Redman to the list.

 

[lilPeanut]

The Notorious B.I.G.

Nas

Jay-Z - jacked other rapper lyrics

Big Punisher

Kool G Rap

Rakim

KRS 1 - he has a big ass nose

Kurupt

Eminem - no black person should respect him after the nigger tape .

Or anyone else that I missed. Who, in your opinion, is the greatest lyricist ever and why? Feel free to share any up and coming lyricist for discussion.

 

[emceemurda]

2pac

Nas/Rakim

Ice Cube

 

[buttuh_b]

Rakim.

 

[ohhhla]

BDK.

 

[usmarin3]

First, how would you define lyricism? There are different types, i think the best way to do it is by breaking it down by categories.

Category 1(the abstract): Rakim, Nas, Jay Electronica, GZA,Killa Preist, Andre 3000

Category 2 (double meaning, wordplay): Jay-z, Lupe, Pharoah Monch, etc

Category 3 (punchline)- Big Daddy Kane, Big L, Redman, Lord Finesse,etc

Category 4 (storytellers) - Slick Rick,

Category 5 (multi's) - Kool G Rap, Eminem, Big Pun,etc

etc

 

[cobbland]

Canibus

 

[aladdin1978]

I'd add rakim but he didn't make enough albums for me.

Kane fell off hard...

So I'd say-

Scarface

Nas

Big

Pac

Krs one

Guru

Ice cube

Eminem

Common

Big L

Jadakiss

 

[Idiopathic Joker]

First, how would you define lyricism? There are different types, i think the best way to do it is by breaking it down by categories.

Category 1(the abstract): Rakim, Nas, Jay Electronica, GZA,Killa Preist, Andre 3000

Category 2 (double meaning, wordplay): Jay-z, Lupe, Pharoah Monch, etc

Category 3 (punchline)- Big Daddy Kane, Big L, Redman, Lord Finesse,etc

Category 4 (storytellers) - Slick Rick,

Category 5 (multi's) - Kool G Rap, Eminem, Big Pun,etc

etc

I think lyricism is a combination of all of that. Telling a story while playing with the words. It is a skill that very few in hip hop can possess.

 

[ohhhla]

Big Daddy Kane's gimmick isn't punchlines

I swear I'm the only nigga on this board that actually listen to this nigga.

The reason why he isn't in most nigga top 50.

 

[usmarin3]

Kane started the punchline rapping style dude, he is the forefather to Big L, Lord Finesse,etc. I'm not saying that's all he was is a punchline rapper

 

[genocidecutter]

Canibus

The thread title is "Best Lyricist" not "Most overrated underground rapper alive"

 

[cobbland]

Canibus

The thread title is "Best Lyricist" not "Most overrated underground rapper alive"

Read his lyrics.

Line for line, he matches up with everybody.

 

[StillFaggyAF]

2 Chainz

 

[ohhhla]

Kane started the punchline rapping style dude, he is the forefather to Big L, Lord Finesse,etc. I'm not saying that's all he was is a punchline rapper

This is true.

 

[_Menace_]

NaS and BigL

 

[bignorm]

Niggas

Against

Society

 

[CoolJoe]

Probably Jay.

 

[jono]

lyr·i·cism - /ˈlirəˌsizəm/

Noun:

1. An artist's expression of emotion in an imaginative and beautiful way; the quality of being lyrica

http://www.google.com/search?client... definition&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&channel=browser

If you accept that definition: Nas or Rakim is your answer. Imagery is important in rap & poetry, very few can do it on their level.....Scarface perhaps