The anticipation arose as time froze
I stared off the stage with my eyes closed and dove
into the deep cosmos
The impact pushed back, the first five rows
But before the raw live shows
I remember I'se a little snot-nosed
Rockin Gazelle, goggles and Izod clothes
Learnin the ropes of ghetto survival
Peepin out the situation I had to slide through
Had to watch my back my front plus my sides too
When it came to gettin mine I ain't tryin, to argue
Sometimes I wouldn'ta made it if it wasn't for you
Hip-Hop, you the love of my life and that's true
When I was handlin the shit I had to do
It was all for you, from the door for you
Speak through you, gettin paper on tour for you
From the start, Thought was down by law for you
Used to hit up every corner store wall for you
We ripped shit, and kept it hardcore for you
I remember late nights, steady rockin the mic
Hip-Hop, you the love of my life
Black Thought (Act Too.. The Love of My Life)
As we conclude hip hop week, I want to take a second to thank you for reading and participating. This has been a lotta fun. As you can tell, I have a deep rooted love for hip hop. I am hip hop. And so are you.
Today...I'ma keep it simple. I wanna get your opinions on who you think is overrated or underrated as a LYRICIST. I'm not talking about how they look or who they are sleeping with. I'm talking strictly on their skills on the mic. I would ask you to list just one but I know that ShellyShell and The F$%k It List won't listen and they'll name 30 people. LOL
Here's mine...
Overrated
Lil Wayne
LL Cool J (2008 version)
Cam'Ron
Jim Jones
50 Cent
Fat Joe
Styles P (LOX)
Underrated
NaS
Common
Black Thought
Phonte (Little Brother)
GZA
Talib Kweli
Redman
Jadakiss
Andre 3000
Scarface
AZ
Who makes your list????
Hollatchaboi!!!!!
Hey Brother!
ReplyDeleteImma keep it simple and stick to one for each...
Overrated: Lil Wayne
Underrated: Common
awww man..sistah I was almost furst!!!LOL
ReplyDeleteOverrated: Rhianna
Underrated: Chrisette Michelle
overrated: plies
ReplyDeleteunderrated: chamillionaire
LMAO! Since I have to name just one I'll have to sleep on it and revisit this in the morning! Although it's 1:16 now!
ReplyDeleteFirst time through, but I'm gonna add my 2 cents:
ReplyDeleteI gotta say I agree with you overrated list except for Styles P. I think he's rated just about right.
Phonte is the illest. I'd agree with all of your overrated except Scarface. He's cool and all, but I actually think he's pretty limited lyrically... I'd also add Kanye to the list. He's given props for being an artist and producer, but I think people sleep on his lyrical skills.
awww man...
ReplyDeleteI don't think 3000 is underrated. I think he is starting to get the respect he deserves. I am very happy to see AZ on your list. He has one of the sickest flow.
Was Scarface on the underrated list? Scarface is a straight beast.
Overrated.
TI
Rick Ross
Young Jeezy
Pappose
The Game
Oh yeah and let me say that Black Thought has slowly become one of my top 5 rappers. That man is ill beyond words.
I agree with your list but to keep it simple like Keisha I have
ReplyDeleteOverrated: 50 Cent
Underrated: Nas
The same as you really...have a great weekend x
Ahhh man, only one? OK, I'll play by the rules...
ReplyDeleteOverrated: Lil Wayne
Underrated: Common
@ Keisha the Kitten
ReplyDeleteGotta agree with you. Common reps!
@ Poca
I meant hip hop but I'm so glad to have you back...we'll roll with that answer. Lmao!
@ Stew
I heard that Plies is big with the kids. I dunno why?
@ ShellyShell
Noooooooooo. You can list more than one. It's cool
@ Rashan Jamal
Welcome to the 12th Planet. Make sure that you come back. We have a good time over here. We're here every day...like bad traffic on 285.
I hear you, bruh. Phonte has been slept on for a lonnnnnng time.
@ dessex
I agree with your list. I don't think TI is overrated but I think he isn't hungry anymore. He's "lyrically complacent."
@ Angel
Fiddy is a smart business man but I think his lyrics could be a lot better
@ Kay C the Quiet Storm
Gotcha! Hey, you can give more than one. I was making fun of some of my blog crew who I know would give 20 names if I asked for one so you can give as many as you like.
I agree with everybody on your list except L.L. Cool J. He's kind of like an icon..but, I respect your opinion. I gave you and Eb the Celeb a shout out in my post today..Check me out when you get a chance.
ReplyDeleteOh, I think Common is under-rated...He doesn't get the props that he deserves.
ReplyDeleteOver: Jay Z
ReplyDeleteUnder: Goodie Mob (when they were a group), and everyone else on your list
Under Rated:
ReplyDeleteCommon
Lupe Fiasco
Q-Tip-(he got a new jawn out and they only play it on BETJ the station no one hardly has.)
Nas
I didn't really read the other comments but I'm pretty sure
ReplyDeleteLil Wayne and TI are a given when it comes to be OVERRATED... and I think TI is a cutie but that ain't gonna cut it on the mic!
underrated? you know what, I've stopped listening to hip hop out of pure disgust these days, but my boy J introduced me to the funky fresh Amanda Diva and I think she's def. the hotness... check her out!
Overrated: Jay-Z
ReplyDeleteUnderrated: Nas
Aww man the week is over already...
ReplyDeleteOverrated:
Lil John
Cash Money click
Lil Wayne
Any one from Miami hip hop scene
Lil Kim post the Notorious one
Dream
The bust it baby dude
Rhianna
Beyonce (Kelly has a great voice, but no Daddy to make it happen
)
Underrated
Chrisette Michelle
The Roots
Any one in the philly connection actually, folks just don't want good music.
ok I'm getting off my high horse and going back to work
whew...for a second I looked at the list and thought your OVERrated people were the ones you think are UNDERrated. Glad to realize my mistake!
ReplyDeleteI so agree with: Wayne, 50 and Jim Jones being overrated! I ESPECIALLY wish Wayne would sit down some where. And I never got the allure of 50.
I also agree with EVERYONE on the underrated list. AZ was given a chance when he was younger, but today he can't catch a break!
Overrated:
ReplyDeleteAnyone under 30 that's rhyming.
I disagree with the Styles and Cam thought
...they both are pretty nice
1. gets slept on the other just isnt taken serious
I think Tupac is overrated...
Underrated: Joe Buddens
And ME!
...Hey I had Hip Hop Week first.
e.
I'll agree with your list, it is right on!
ReplyDeletesurprisingly I actually agree with you on this one lol. Jadakiss is definitely underrated and Lil' Wayne is definitely the most overrated...
ReplyDeleteOk I'm back!
ReplyDeleteOVERRATED:
50--I can't stand his ass his lyrics are so wack!
Lil Wayne
Lil John
Young Anybody(Berg, Joc etc)
TI
Jim Jones
Underrated:
NAS
Common
Lupe Fiasco
Black Thought
Mos Def
Talib Kweli
Jadakiss
Ghostface
You're right about AZ he never blew up the way he should have!
I'll be back when hip hop week is over cause you and i are going to fall out over the artist of MY time!
ReplyDeletehave a great weekend. :)
OMG! Jada Kiss goes so hard!!!! Most def an underrated talent.
ReplyDeleteI also gotta agree with Poca's list. Chrisette is what's up, and Riri should stop singing and get into modeling or something because her singing is NOT what's up.
Oh, and you know I can't leave The Planet without throwin' up the H for Scarface!!!!!
@ Keith
ReplyDeleteI got mad love for Uncle L. I just think lyrically his best years are behind him. But I feel you, tho
@ Beautifully.Conjured.Up
Goodie Mob is a good call. All except T-Mo. He was the weakest one. LOL
@ Charece
I forgot about Lupe!!!
Jawn? Yeahhhhhhh! You're from Philly. LoL
@ Jaded Santana
Amanda Diva is maaaaad cute!
@ Chay
NaS has the ability to move you with words and politically conscience
@ The F$%k It List
I forgot to add Lil Kim. She's garbage
@ OD
AZ is soooo underrated. Remember his verse on Life's A Bitch??? Classic!!!
@ e
Tupac overrated??? Hmmm. I would agree. Lyrically, he never blew me away.
Yeah. You did hip hop week. I'm tryna catch up with you, bruh
@ Somebodies Friend
Thanks, bruh!!
@ Ms Jones
They say that Wayne is hot. I dunno. I prolly could name 30 better MCs
@ ShellyShell
Never heard of Young Bird. Lmao!!!
@ Sexxy Luv
LMAO @ u!!! C'mon now...
@ Queen
I thought y'all liked Rihanna?? LoL
Did someone get tired of responding to comments?!
ReplyDeleteLOL @ all of your one sentence responses.
i agree with your underrated but NO U DIDNT put lil wayne as overrated.....and as the top at that!!! UGH @ kyle right now!!!
ReplyDeletehahahahahahahah
does it have to be hip hop tho????
i listen to rap but IDK!
UNDERRATED:My girl TEEDRA MOSES (still tho!!!!!) damn
HAHA Shelly Shell Anybody Young (Berg). Its so true!
ReplyDeleteUnderrated (besides 3000 'cause I'm always on Team 3000!): Juelz, ghostface, Bun b, Phonte, Elzhi
ReplyDeleteOverrated: Freaking Lupe doggone Fiasco. *blech*, Wayne, Jay-Z and damn near anyone else going platinum. Substance doesn't sell.
@ Queen
ReplyDeleteNoooooo, silly! You know I'm passionate about hip hop. But I don't want to write a paragraph for each response. LoL
@ Flyyest
I knew that you'd be mad about that. LoL. Sorry sis. Wayne can rhyme. He's hot right now...but Ja Rule was hot 5 yrs ago...where is he now
No doubt! Teedra Moses is definitely underrated!
@ The F$%k It List
That is so true. All of the "Youngs". LOL
@ *Coop*
Awww man! How could I forget about Bun B???
So true...substance does not sell
I want to know what your definition of underrated and overrated is... its hard for someone to be underrated if they aren't putting music out right now... and how can you put a timeframe on someone being overrated for example LL...
ReplyDeleteI disagree with just about your whole list and I cant just come up with one so I'm exiting stage left
crickets
ReplyDeletewhydontujussanswerthaquestion?????
Joe Buddens ...Underrated Rap Artist
ReplyDelete@ Super Woman
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the 12th Planet. Make sure that you come back. We have a good time over here. We're here every day...hangin out like wet clothes
I agree. Joe has been slept on for years. I hope that the Def Jam experience won't hurt him with the moves that he is making now.
To be honest, I don't listen to hip hop like I did back in the day, but when I venture to the stations, the beats are jumping, but the lyrics just don't cut it.
ReplyDeleteMost of the folks on the airwaves right now are OVERRATED
Artists with Staying Power (not exactly UNDERRATED) would be:
JayZ
Common
Lupe Fiasco
Little Brother
NaS
I don't like that new Kanye single. I think he is getting eclectic mixed with being fly. He's pushing the envelope too far now.
@ Rich
ReplyDeleteI feel u. I never listen to the radio.
Little Brother has been making great music for years. People have been sleeping on them but they are gonna make it.
Well let's see
ReplyDeleteOver rated:
Lil wayne- with him I honestly think he's good. As an english major (hehe) I can tell he really has it together. He has a wonderful play on words and I often think, "damn how did he come up with that?" But with that being said, USE YA KNOWLEDGE for the better. I'm tried of being called a bitch, hoe, being characterized as someone who is only good for sexual favors. & as women, even though we feel this way, the music is so catchy we get caught up. For example, he has this song called "workin um." For those of you who don't know this is the hook:
"that's why ya bitch want a real nigga like me x2
she wanna give that pussy to a nigga like me x2
I be pimpin them hoes x4
I be workin em bitches x4"
& sadly this is one of my favorite rap song ever...SMH.
I guess I'm guilty of it as well. But really I need to get over it and stop supporting someone who would talk about me like that.
Under Rated:
Talib: I love that song love language, it speaks the truth to the fullest and makes me smile :P
The blog misses you :(
@ A.M
ReplyDeleteYou bring up an interesting point. If we stopped to READ what some of these rappers are talking about then it might change our perspective of it. It's one thing to listen to lyrics...it's another thing to read it. Good points!
over rated:
ReplyDeletelupe fiasco
lil' flip
t.i.
ll cool j
dr. dre
the game
under rated :
andre 3-stacks
lil wayne
kanye west
shawty lo
lol. k, just playing on that last one
that dude is weaker than cam'ron
and that's hard 2 do.
-1-
@ -1-
ReplyDeleteLMAO @ Shawty Lo!!! U r silly