Originally Posted by prisoner437x3y0

completely disagree. Lyrics are actually the most important part for me, the message, the density of lyrics within hip hop is part of the appeal for me. I can see not liking lyrics on a literal level, but even something like aesop rock--where it's so interpretive that i get to take away my own message and perception of life from it is appealing and beneficial.

I agree good lyrics are rare, but not so rare that I forego tuning myself to them.

I can't stand death grips just blatantly muttering random syllables; have something to say.

I like my human emotions to be well constructed. That's always been something I respected about the genre. The fact that there is often no chorus, but just a constant stream of consciousness thoughts is more appealing to me than relying on a chorus.

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Not for me. Good lyrics are so rare that it's always puzzling to me when someone not being able to understand what's being said is an obstacle to enjoying a song. I just tend to like music for the way it sounds. All I require of lyrics is that they're not so bad that they detract from the song which is why, for me, lyrics that are hard to understand or are in another language are often an asset.


A conversation about music I guess.

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I like Aesop Rock's lyrics and they do add to the music for me, but for every Aesop Rock out there I feel like there are a dozen SpaceGhostPurrps—artists who make music that I like but whose lyrics are so distractingly bad that I wish they were in another language.

Well constructed human emotions don't need to come from the words in music. In fact, words are often a distraction from the pure sonic expression that is music. I kind of feel like if a piece of music can't stand on it's own without words telling the listener what to feel, it's a bit of a failure musically.

Originally Posted by Hip-Hop Homework

interesting view and a position with which I can relate. I can appreciate a song that is lacking in the lyrics department but am very critical of what I consider to be good lyrics.

e.g., I can listen to Li'l Wayne's "Greatest Rapper Alive" even tho the song is not even a candidate for a great showcase of lyrical prowess but the instrumental is so freakin' on fire and Wayne at least rides the beat in harmony--so it's an enjoyable song in my opinion, but lyrically. I don't require something I listen to--to be a clinic on lyricism. But my list of greats are all lyrical beasts in some form or fashion.


So my question to you sir (or ma'am) is what do you consider good lyrics, i.e. what are the criteria that qualifies lyrics to be good?

Originally Posted by prisoner437x3y0

Well of course there are going to be more inferior artists than good ones, why that has made your entirely dismissive of lyrics is still beyond me after your posts.

Lyrics are equal or often more responsible for the surrounding controversy that offers new tolerance of music as an art. Sure it can be often dismissed as shock value for the sake of it but a lot of it was vital.

I personally like how lyrics have offered non-musicians a voice within music. It allows new group expression, new characters, new perspectives that you don't get with traditional musicians.

Originally Posted by elphenor

I'd vote for Trump

Originally Posted by prisoner437x3y0

I can't stand death grips just blatantly muttering random syllables; have something to say.

Originally Posted by On GP

I'm ****ing tired of all the perks
I've tried nothing, everything works
For less I'm worth, I've served my bid
All **** life wasn't what it is
All **** life was just a bridge
I seen some free landed some tricks
Far I see high time man quit
Won't let you know when I get goin
Phone ring too long

Phone ring too long, I'm probably gone
Ring tone jingle my swan song
I'll show you how to leave well enough alone
I'm not this world this on cue world
I fall back, concoct new worlds
I fall out in throbbing swirls
I fall until I stop this world
I fall the **** off this world

I live down the street from you've noticed me, I've never seen you
Wonder what the **** I do
Listen up, you nosy bitch, listen close
My most recent purchase, old black rope
Gonna learn how to tie it, hang it in my chamber
Perfect reminder, occult I'm made of
Come try it out whenever you wanna
Last night, 3:30 in the morning, Death on my front porch
Can feel him itching to take me with him, hail death, **** you waiting for
Like a question no one mention, he turns around, hands me his weapon
He slurs, "Use at your discretion, it's been a pleasure, Stefan"

Head on like dead, on like grey
Death in your way, not in my way, I got my way
I was in my way, crept out my way, kept out my way
I'm on one like bae, you're on your way, way, way, way

Don't you worry, impossible for anything to be a big deal
I'm in no weary, my vital post dated but clearly been ages since life had appeal
Far more than fascination my second nature chant kill cause I can
This body by my own hands
My friends and family won't understand
So I stay in the end, don't make none to me
If wasn't for them, I'd make that decision on GP
Had to do it all again, I'd make that decision on GP

All the nights I don't die for you
Wouldn't believe how many nights I ain't died for you on GP
Not that I care, I'd be a liar if I sat here claiming I'd exit in a minute
But I can't say I wouldn't I have my limits