In the beginning of Hip-Hop, it was just the Mc and The Dj. The Mc just spoke to the crowed while the DJ does his or her thing- Something like the hype man.

Do you remember the song “The Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugar Hill Gang?

“i said a hip hop the hippie the hippie
to the hip hip hop, a you dont stop
the rock it to the bang bang boogie say up jumped the boogie
to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat”

It’s probably the one Hip-Hop song that everybody knows. Ask your Grandmother about it and see if she completes the rest of the verse.

Later on came Rakim and Eric-B, NWA, Ice Cube, Scarface, and more spittin rhymes like poetry- using metaphors and similes. Changing the game up and made the up and comer rappers build their vocabulary.

That verse, from Rappers Delight, is not lyrical what so ever, but the song  is a hit.

Am I wrong?

This was the 80’s, The Golden Age era in Hip-Hop music.

All the Rapper had to do was sound good over the beat the Dj played.

Today, this old method is BACK!

The music that’s being played now especially in Main-Stream Rap is not lyrical, BUT they are hits!

In the ‘90’s, lyrics was a big deal.

Am I wrong?

The beats were simple to the point were it would sound repetitive if the Rapper wasn’t on it rapping.

This sort of made the listener hear what the what the Rapper was talking about which is a good thing.

But somewhere along the lines, The beats became more of a big deal and all the spitter had to do is sound good over it reciting something “catchy.”

Master-P is not lyrical but he made Hits.

All of this is what came to the question, What’s the Difference between a Lyricist and a Hit-Maker?

This is the difference:

The Lyricist

-Writes songs like Poetry

• -Treats his or her lyrics as an expression of art

-Uses Metaphors and Similes

-Usually has a big vocabulary

-Spits something that’s thought provoking

-Typically known as a Back Pack Rapper

-Tells Stories in their rhymes with a Message

The Hit Maker

-Has a Nice Production

-Is not always Lyrical, Mostly

-Doesn’t have any meaning to it

-Just Punch Lines

-A Very “Catchy” Hook

- Songs is played in the Club

- obviously makes Popular Music

I’m not saying that the rappers that are making hits are can’t rap. Jay-Z is a hit maker and he’s lyrical; Lil’ Wayne and Eminem also. But Today’s hits are not lyrical.

Some people just hate lyrical music and just want the rap to be simple- as long as they can’t relate to it.

Some people appreciates lyricism.

In the end, It’s about a word called “Longevity.”

As long as the music provides interests to the people, an artist can make income from his or her work.

This is not just Rap. It’s in Pop, period!

Look at the all the bubble gum songs out there that are simple and easy to remember.

As an artist, I would try to both especially if you’re trying to make and income from music.

However,

One thing… Don’t Stop Being You. Stay true to yourself.

If you are a hit maker focus on making hits, If you take your lyricism seriously focus on your lyrics.

Some people would like your work, some won’t.

Hit Makers List

- Lil’ Wayne

- T.I.

- Drake

- Young Jeezy

- Jay-Z

- 2Pac

- Master-P

Lyrical

- Talib Kwele

- Lupe Fiasco

- Common

-Slum Village

- Z-Ro

- Chamillionaire

Note: The lyrical artist in the list also has hits but are more recognize for there underground efforts.

The rap game didn’t start off lyrical, it was always about making music.

Making Good Music is all that matters, Lyrical or Not.

What do you think?