No one can deny the artistic features of music, creating something from an idea in your head and making it into something real in the world. An example of this can said for rappers in Hip Hop. Rap can be seen as an evolutional form of poetry, the concept of rhyming words and street vernacular together to compose a deeper meaning.
The main distinction between a poet and rapper, would be the way in which the two deliver their messages.While poets usually tend to deliver their messages through strong imagery, rappers tend to deliver their messages through expletives and vivid language. "I think rapping is unique because you're using what you have seen or created and putting it in a form everyone can understand"- Oliver Johnson.
I talked with Oliver Johnson aka BIG O GOT JUICEMAN, a rapper in the Underground rap scene from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. We discussed his mindset when it came to writing his lyrics, as well as his thoughts regarding the idea of Rap as a form of art. “ When I’m writing I think of not only s*** I’ve been through but also what makes people feel good“.
Lyrics are so crucial to this art form in fact, that there are political acts being put into effect over the rap lyrics being used to incarcerated artists. “That’s why Thug going to jail is such a big deal as well” as Johnson explained. “Thug” referring to the rapper Young Thug, who was charged in a Georgia RICO Act and participation in a criminal street gang.
"There is some good talent out there, but limited Greatness"-Hakim Henderson. Henderson, an up and coming manger in Hip Hop was referring to the way in which he feels messengers of Hip Hop’s lyric’s have fell from the greats of the past.
Whether if Johnson and Henderson agree with the current state of lyrics within rap is irrelevant. They do however understand the importance of lyrics to the art form that is rap. Just like a painter needs his brush, a rapper needs his lyrics.
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