Everyone's A Critic: 6 Cliché Hip-Hop Critiques
Since The Source's five-mic rating system was the gold standard for hip-hop criticism, rap fans have debated and discussed the worth of the hottest—or most over-hyped—albums. But sometimes critiquing is just plain hating. Here are six unfounded knocks that we've all heard too many times.
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Too many guests
Counterpoint: Dr. Dre’s The Chronic (1992) Sure some rappers use cameos as a crutch to make their struggle raps tolerable. But look past the track list—are the collaborations true meshings of the musical minds? Is the sum greater than the parts? If the product is good music, we all win.
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Lack of lyricism
Counterpoint: Waka Flocka Flame’s Flockaveli (2010) Just because the rapper at hand isn’t super Lupe lyrical doesn’t instantly discount the musical premium. There are great LPs made for nodding in your Beats By Dre ’phones, and then there are knocking albums fit for the whip or the club turn-up. Instead of comparing Project Pat to Rakim, try to understand the purpose of the music at hand and the environment it reflects.
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There’s no single
Counterpoint: Kanye West’s Yeezus (2013) Are you a cot damn A&R? Good music is good music, regardless of whether there’s anything like it already on your FM dial.
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Guest outshines the host
Counterpoint: Jay-Z Feat. Eminem, “Renegade” Hip-hop will always be a competitive sport—it’s in the DNA of the culture. So we’re always going to jabber about who got murdered on a collabo. If one or more of the contributions are lackluster, fine. But if two MCs are going their hardest and the song’s host gets edged out, it all makes for a dope track (and fodder for the rap forums).
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Singular subject matter
Counterpoint: Pusha T’s My Name Is My Name (2013) Sometimes it’s best to stick to what you know. Curren$y’s weed raps should never kill your high—you already know what to expect when pressing play. The fact that he can build a career on different ways of talking about lighting up is actually impressive.
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Sounds like someone else
All genres of music—rap included—are built on influences. Kendrick’s manic “Backstreet Freestyle” and narrative “The Art of Peer Pressure” might’ve never been born if not for Eminem and OutKast’s impact, respectively. As long as the resulting music is innovative and envelope-pushing—and not shark biting—it’s fair game.
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