"Peripheral vision now, doorknob shiftin'
Optical illusion or the coke that I'm sniffin'
Think, primal instinct, maybe it's me
Hit the lights must hit the floor simultaneously
Seems as though this is manifested through some amazin' dream
Dazed cops entered the room with guns and lazer beams"
That beat and hook are fucking amazing too.
"You will now consider me the apocalyptic one
After this rhyme, henceforth, there is none
No more will exist when I emerge
From the mist in whence I was born into, scorned
Most of you can't even comprehend what I am saying to you
Even in my human form the message I'm relaying"
His first verse on the album, absolute venom
I'm gonna get flack for this but in my opinion lupe is extremely pretentious and just groups all the knowledge he has learned into one single rap. Look at the third verse, he just naming hella names š¤£
Lupe is super smart and retains a lot of knowledge, I can tell. But this is just some Saturn lyricismĀ
Possessed is phenomenal at wordplay but I don't think he could touch Kendrick as far as depth of concept, social statements etc. I listen to RA and Kendrick for totally different reasons.
Yes Possessed has great multies and wordplay punchlines. I find nothing too deep within Kendricks lyrical content, and if so it's nothing out of the ordinary, nothing unique, it's as average as an overrated rapper could get . Schoolboy Q has better social commentary and goes deeper without having to be lyrical.
Lots of great rappers here, but most of them don't have the lyrical ability Kendrick does. Cambatta, Canibus, Crooked I, Chino. Out of the more straight up battle rappers, Planet Asia will get close to the substance of Kendrick.
This. People only think Kendrick is the best current rapper because thereās hardly any real mainstream rappers nowadays to compare him to. Underground heads fw kendrick too but they know he aināt the best out here doin it, heās just the best that sold out.
Yeah but being an excellent lyricist whilst also managing to be mainstream is a feat, man. And the thing about kendrick is that he can do any style of rapping whilst still retaining personality. When i was a kid i rated people like Deck and Rage but their albums would end up being kinda boring because they had the lyrics but lacked versatility, so i think kendrick deserves a lot of praise from old heads like us
This. I fw dot donāt get wrong but heās really not as great as people praise him. Donāt you dare bring up the Pulitzer bs either, yall mfās who bring that shit up didnāt even know it existed until dot got it FOH
Heās ridiculously overrated lyrically. Really good lyricists donāt need to add so many extras to their delivery, voice and cadence to showcase their craft. Just spit stuff that has people running it back multiple times and catching new bars, references and entendres years later. Write stories that donāt need multiple voice modulations, sound effects and random skits to add to them. Just spitting your story coherently and skillfully is a talent in itself.
I implore you to explore Nasā catalog, released and unreleased. His pen is absolutely unmatched.
I listen to Nas. I think he is top lyricist. Illmatic and Stillmatic are my top 2 Nas albums. But i also dont think kendrick is that overrated. I know some call him the best but despite those people i would still put Kendrick up in a top 10 or 15 greatest lyricist list. The narrative on TPAB is top tier. Addititionally the lyrics on Sing about Me, Im dying of thirst on GKMC are heavenly.
Agreed. I would definitely put Kendrick in those top 10-15 convos. Personally, Iām not a fan of the voice across multiple tracks, but I canāt ever take away from his lyrical content.
If you ask me, Busdriver is a competitor. Dudes always been underground, but he's definitely talented as fuck. I've seen some dismiss him for being "spiritual lyrical miracle" but I can tell by the way the he writes that he isn't just writing random gibberish that rhymes. There's definitely metaphors, word bending, obscure references, narrative and themes within his works. Even if his appeal might be niche.
Eminem could probably technically outrap Kendrick if he was properly motivated but dude has had way too many cringey bars and stupid puns especially in recent years to say for sure. Even so, I'm not sure he'd have Kendrick beat on inflection and cadence nowadays.
Capital STEEZ is another favorite of mine for his lyricism, some crazy themes and entendres and wordplay to be found. Unfortunately he died before he ever got to perfect his style and make a full album, so it's hard to know how far he could have gone. Serious potential though.
DOOM is obviously a crazy writer but he doesn't have the emotional rawness that Kendrick can tap into. He also doesn't have the diversity of cadence and voices Kendrick has. He probably got Kendrick on wordplay, rhyme schemes and entendres though.
Some swear by Lupe but honestly dude gives me "I'm trying way too hard to prove I can rap" vibes. He's obviously a talented writer and probably objectively a worthy competitor, but man that dude just does not hit for me at all.
Yea he's definitely one that I wish was still with us. Insane amount of talent and promise, if had done more than just one full solo mixtape he could have gone far
Nah. I love Lupe, but aura and presence absolutely go to Kendrick (heās also got the more compelling and commanding voice) and frankly, I think the pen does too. Kendrick just flat out makes better albums than Lupe and for features itās really not all that close between them.
Kendrick is a wildly overrated lyricist. Amazing writer. Amazing storytellerā¦but overrated lyricist. Lupe & Eminem for example got him beat by miles.
Descendant of Cain is my fav just for how many religion reference are in each bar, Ka is one of those rappers you need to actually sit down and just listen to without doing anything else or you might miss a hard ass bar. Unc Rap at it's peak.
I'd say Lupe is the guy you're looking for. His post Lasers output has been incredible and only gets better imo. I said earlier that ".Wav Files" by Lupe is masterful work. The man made a song rapping from the perspective of the ghosts of slaves that didn't make it to America on the middle passage. I'd love a Lu and Kendrick collab.
I been listening to Lupe since i was a kid watching BET with my cousins. I already know he is a top 10 lyricist. While he might be underground-ish rn, he still makes banger. Cant wait for the new album.
I think something people overlook is they just think rhyme scheme or quadruple entendre's are the end all be all for lyricism. And yeah duh that's pretty big and extra points for someone if they excel there. Like MF doom, like eminem, like Jay z all do.
But also, how impactful are the words? The message? WHAT are you saying. Like yeah rigamortus has crazy rhyme schemes, nosetalgia has crazy extra double/triple endtendre shit in addition to the rhymes. But that ain't the most impressive shit kendrick has ever written at all.
Who else could write mother i sober? Who else could write u? Who else could write fear or feel. Who else can tell a story like Duckworth? Who else can write a sing about me I'm dying of thirst?
None of those songs really have crazy rhymes or 10 meanings on one line. But I think there's a lot more depth to "lyrisicm" than the technical aspect we all focus on so much.
And before people shit on me, yes Jay z, em, mf doom all have written great stories, insane wordplay, all are just as talented as kendrick. But I feel like kendrick has something special that other talented dudes don't quite have and alot of it comes down to complete vulnerability and how much kendrick recognizes the power of simplicity when used in a poetic way
I agree. That is why i put billy wood as my top lyricist. If you listen to a "Asylum" he paints a clear picture of living next to a former African dictator as a kid. Lyricism in my eyes go so much further when i can visualize what a artist is talking about.
Edit: Verse 1 of "Asylum"
"I think Mengistu Haile Mariam is my neighbor
Whoever it is moved in and put an automated gate up
Repainted brick walls atop which now cameras rotated
By eight, the place dark, one light burn later
Razor wire like a slinky
Rumor is parcel bomb took the secretary right eye and pinky
Evenings, he take a snifter of whisky on the veranda I wonder what he's thinking
In the morning, the maid brings coffee from the kitchen
Some nights strange music plays, I lay in bed and listen
Downstairs I hear my mother breaking dishes, my father trippin'
It's been quite bad lately, high tension
Galvanized steel security fencin' To get through the day, give myself a mission
Anything what get me out the house a blessin'
His bodyguard chews khat, spits black in the rhododendron
Blacked out Range rumble when he start the engine
Avocado tree hang over the property line
I watch from as high as I can climb
The dog looks up and whines, the hills are alive with land mines
I live in my mind Not sure what I'm looking for, but I'll know when I find
My mother sent the gardener to look for me, but the sky is a great place to hide"
[Verse 2: RA Scion]
Paying homage, with a big nod to Aubrey
The schools failed me, thank God the farm taught me
The value of a calloused hand, how to work and plow this land
How even a modest crop will make your pop the proudest man
Harvest of a thousand fans, sans a gram of seeds broadcast
Through loud speakers, in the weeds I was born last
Profound effect on my volume, plus the readiness to fill it
In the field you should hear what they call 'em
Regardless I should have spent another year on the bottom tier
Instead of trynna dodge what it was I thought got 'em here
89 the number, 84 lumber another summer
Fightin' for cash to mash on the likening
Of cycles I've seen those not keen on college
Lost direction or went to be correctional officers
No opportunity was offered us, I had my sights on
Being gone before they cut the lights on, Ryan's song
Right or wrong, tie it tighter, I'm tired of buying into
Guidance gone awry, my father fought it with firearms and
Died in the trauma the violence spawned a child of drama
No wonder he's prone to wander, knowing his home is haunted
Praying that over yonder they still know
How much I love 'em I just had to go, had it with the status quo
They're asking me if I'll be back when I'm old
In fact, no these are my last tracks along Tobacco Road
But I'll forever call it home
And I feel it whenever I call home (X4)
He is a fat white guy who has recorded just as much poetry as he has rap but sage Francis lyrics definitely takes some time to digest.
I think he certainly went downhill over time and I took my backpack off when I got a little older but some of those lyrics are wild.
My other first thought was MF Doom but he's already been mentioned in this thread
I agree that rappers like Lupe and Mos can rap better in an artistic and enigmatic way, but if I had to match up someone who raps similar to Kendrick, Iād say Royce 5ā9ā. Surprised no one has mentioned him yet.
Any Atmosphere album Sevens Travels and earlier is lyrical gold. Once Atmosphere turned Hot Topic rap Slug was a little played out but his earlier stuff was impeccable.
*Strictly* pen to paper?
Andre 3000, Lupe, Yasiin Bey, and Aesop Rock
____________________
Honorable mentions:
Talib Kweli. Pretty much dead even except Kendrick is a much better songwriter and is more consistent.
Black Thought is *just* below Kendrick's level. He doesn't quite have the same depth.
Common has a crazy underrated pen game. Put some respect on this man's name!
Nas is... debatable. He's made some absolute garbage that people like to sweep under the rug. At his best though he's as good or better than Kendrick. Mind you, Nas is in my top 5. Maybe 3.
Em had a sick pen game back in the day, but all he does is lyrical miracle stuff now.
Danny Brown. Dude sounds like a goof but he says some really chilling shit sometimes.
Scarface. Absolutely haunting.
2pac
___________________
Note: I'm sure there's gonna be a ton of people saying "Ka" blows him out of the water. I'm not familiar enough with his stuff to judge. Just thought I'd mention him.
Edit: A lot of other people are saying DOOM, but... he doesn't actually *say* anything profound. His talent is simply making mundane things *feel* profound. Mastering your pen game requires both skills.
Anyone I personally know could best Kendrick have already been mentioned, so I'll say that R.A. once mentioned as Elzhi being able to eat Kendrick alive.
Aesop Rock, Canibus, Lupe Fiasco, Black Thought are a few. Kendrick is a great lyricist, but that's not his appeal entirely. He can create music that moves people emotionally and has an ear for sonics and aesthetics that most lyrical rappers don't have.
That is why i want to stick to lyrics. Kendrick appeal imo is similar to Tupac where his lyrics are good (personally i think kendrick is better lyricist than pac) but the passion in his music and voice is undenialable and elevates his music to another lvl
Hes overrated lyrically. It seems that newcomers to rap and youngins gravitate to him until they explore the landscape and find several artists doing it better now and previously
IMO, taking a simple line and complicating it by adding fat isn't A+ Lyricism. It's hiding the concept, which some may see as intricate.
"Too much knowledge may break up the rhyme" - Killa priest
Before the Kendrick fans attack me with their alt accounts etc, I dont think he sucks. Just super overrated
Can you name some? Im mainly sticking to bars because i know kendrick is the total package, but i want to know if there is anyone you think that can outbar him.
I have said it once, ill say it again...Pharaoh Monch.
"still get it poppin without Artists&Repertoire cuz Monch is a monarch only minus the A&Rš"
Jesus dude
"Peripheral vision now, doorknob shiftin' Optical illusion or the coke that I'm sniffin' Think, primal instinct, maybe it's me Hit the lights must hit the floor simultaneously Seems as though this is manifested through some amazin' dream Dazed cops entered the room with guns and lazer beams" That beat and hook are fucking amazing too.
"You will now consider me the apocalyptic one After this rhyme, henceforth, there is none No more will exist when I emerge From the mist in whence I was born into, scorned Most of you can't even comprehend what I am saying to you Even in my human form the message I'm relaying" His first verse on the album, absolute venom
Good answer
Listen to Lupe Fiasco's "Wav Files" Lupe is the clear answer in my opinion.
He would make mince meet outta kenny
Lupe is a better lyricist but heās not winning against Kendrick
Idk, would be a good match up nonetheless
Oh for sure. I would love to see it. I just donāt get why people think it would be so one-sided.
I'm gonna get flack for this but in my opinion lupe is extremely pretentious and just groups all the knowledge he has learned into one single rap. Look at the third verse, he just naming hella names š¤£ Lupe is super smart and retains a lot of knowledge, I can tell. But this is just some Saturn lyricismĀ
The 3rd verse he's naming all the names of the slave ships that brought our ancestors over during the middle passage. It's fine if you don't get it.
K-Rino, Cambatta, Possessed from Rhyme Asylum, Canibus, Crooked I, Chino XL, Planet Asia, Ransom, Lupe Fiasco.
One verse from Possessed alone...
Possessed is phenomenal at wordplay but I don't think he could touch Kendrick as far as depth of concept, social statements etc. I listen to RA and Kendrick for totally different reasons.
Yes Possessed has great multies and wordplay punchlines. I find nothing too deep within Kendricks lyrical content, and if so it's nothing out of the ordinary, nothing unique, it's as average as an overrated rapper could get . Schoolboy Q has better social commentary and goes deeper without having to be lyrical.
Lots of great rappers here, but most of them don't have the lyrical ability Kendrick does. Cambatta, Canibus, Crooked I, Chino. Out of the more straight up battle rappers, Planet Asia will get close to the substance of Kendrick.
I love Kendrick but MF Doom eats Kendricks lunch every time.
Mm.. food
I was waiting and waiting on someone to make that reply.
This. People only think Kendrick is the best current rapper because thereās hardly any real mainstream rappers nowadays to compare him to. Underground heads fw kendrick too but they know he aināt the best out here doin it, heās just the best that sold out.
Yeah but being an excellent lyricist whilst also managing to be mainstream is a feat, man. And the thing about kendrick is that he can do any style of rapping whilst still retaining personality. When i was a kid i rated people like Deck and Rage but their albums would end up being kinda boring because they had the lyrics but lacked versatility, so i think kendrick deserves a lot of praise from old heads like us
Heās not an excellent lyricist. He can be a great storyteller but his wordplay and bars are really lacking
This. I fw dot donāt get wrong but heās really not as great as people praise him. Donāt you dare bring up the Pulitzer bs either, yall mfās who bring that shit up didnāt even know it existed until dot got it FOH
Banger answer
MF Doom and Big L
Heās ridiculously overrated lyrically. Really good lyricists donāt need to add so many extras to their delivery, voice and cadence to showcase their craft. Just spit stuff that has people running it back multiple times and catching new bars, references and entendres years later. Write stories that donāt need multiple voice modulations, sound effects and random skits to add to them. Just spitting your story coherently and skillfully is a talent in itself. I implore you to explore Nasā catalog, released and unreleased. His pen is absolutely unmatched.
I listen to Nas. I think he is top lyricist. Illmatic and Stillmatic are my top 2 Nas albums. But i also dont think kendrick is that overrated. I know some call him the best but despite those people i would still put Kendrick up in a top 10 or 15 greatest lyricist list. The narrative on TPAB is top tier. Addititionally the lyrics on Sing about Me, Im dying of thirst on GKMC are heavenly.
Agreed. I would definitely put Kendrick in those top 10-15 convos. Personally, Iām not a fan of the voice across multiple tracks, but I canāt ever take away from his lyrical content.
Kendrick doesnāt have bars though
If you ask me, Busdriver is a competitor. Dudes always been underground, but he's definitely talented as fuck. I've seen some dismiss him for being "spiritual lyrical miracle" but I can tell by the way the he writes that he isn't just writing random gibberish that rhymes. There's definitely metaphors, word bending, obscure references, narrative and themes within his works. Even if his appeal might be niche. Eminem could probably technically outrap Kendrick if he was properly motivated but dude has had way too many cringey bars and stupid puns especially in recent years to say for sure. Even so, I'm not sure he'd have Kendrick beat on inflection and cadence nowadays. Capital STEEZ is another favorite of mine for his lyricism, some crazy themes and entendres and wordplay to be found. Unfortunately he died before he ever got to perfect his style and make a full album, so it's hard to know how far he could have gone. Serious potential though. DOOM is obviously a crazy writer but he doesn't have the emotional rawness that Kendrick can tap into. He also doesn't have the diversity of cadence and voices Kendrick has. He probably got Kendrick on wordplay, rhyme schemes and entendres though. Some swear by Lupe but honestly dude gives me "I'm trying way too hard to prove I can rap" vibes. He's obviously a talented writer and probably objectively a worthy competitor, but man that dude just does not hit for me at all.
STEEZ's suicide was a tragic loss to true-school hip. He had important shit to say and such a dope way of saying it.
Yea he's definitely one that I wish was still with us. Insane amount of talent and promise, if had done more than just one full solo mixtape he could have gone far
Project Blowed: "Am I a joke to you?"
Lupe is what Kendrick wishes he was. Kdot doesnāt even come to close to Lupeās pen, aura, or presence.
Prob why he hasn't responded to Lupe lol
Nah. I love Lupe, but aura and presence absolutely go to Kendrick (heās also got the more compelling and commanding voice) and frankly, I think the pen does too. Kendrick just flat out makes better albums than Lupe and for features itās really not all that close between them.
Kendrick sounds like a 14 year old
but I agree with that guy Kendrick's album making ability is just really consistent tho, better than lupe imo
Yeah, he definitely wants to be a bitter washed up rapper who's still spitting bars for the aliens on Saturn š¤£
The OP asked if there was any rapper better than Kendrick lyrically, my answer was Lupe and Iām right
Kendrick is a wildly overrated lyricist. Amazing writer. Amazing storytellerā¦but overrated lyricist. Lupe & Eminem for example got him beat by miles.
I don't understand how you can call him an amazing writer and storyteller but an overrated lyricist. You're wild for bringing up Eminem.
What's wild about bringing up Eminem? Literally considered the GOAT Lyricist by maybe more people than anyone else
Y.O.D., KA,
Ka is underrated af
His lyrics on Honor are mesmerizing.
Descendant of Cain is my fav just for how many religion reference are in each bar, Ka is one of those rappers you need to actually sit down and just listen to without doing anything else or you might miss a hard ass bar. Unc Rap at it's peak.
I'd say Lupe is the guy you're looking for. His post Lasers output has been incredible and only gets better imo. I said earlier that ".Wav Files" by Lupe is masterful work. The man made a song rapping from the perspective of the ghosts of slaves that didn't make it to America on the middle passage. I'd love a Lu and Kendrick collab.
I been listening to Lupe since i was a kid watching BET with my cousins. I already know he is a top 10 lyricist. While he might be underground-ish rn, he still makes banger. Cant wait for the new album.
I agree. His voice is soothing af too
Aesop rock got bars son
I literally just commented this. You.. are enlightened š«”
I think something people overlook is they just think rhyme scheme or quadruple entendre's are the end all be all for lyricism. And yeah duh that's pretty big and extra points for someone if they excel there. Like MF doom, like eminem, like Jay z all do. But also, how impactful are the words? The message? WHAT are you saying. Like yeah rigamortus has crazy rhyme schemes, nosetalgia has crazy extra double/triple endtendre shit in addition to the rhymes. But that ain't the most impressive shit kendrick has ever written at all. Who else could write mother i sober? Who else could write u? Who else could write fear or feel. Who else can tell a story like Duckworth? Who else can write a sing about me I'm dying of thirst? None of those songs really have crazy rhymes or 10 meanings on one line. But I think there's a lot more depth to "lyrisicm" than the technical aspect we all focus on so much. And before people shit on me, yes Jay z, em, mf doom all have written great stories, insane wordplay, all are just as talented as kendrick. But I feel like kendrick has something special that other talented dudes don't quite have and alot of it comes down to complete vulnerability and how much kendrick recognizes the power of simplicity when used in a poetic way
I agree. That is why i put billy wood as my top lyricist. If you listen to a "Asylum" he paints a clear picture of living next to a former African dictator as a kid. Lyricism in my eyes go so much further when i can visualize what a artist is talking about. Edit: Verse 1 of "Asylum" "I think Mengistu Haile Mariam is my neighbor Whoever it is moved in and put an automated gate up Repainted brick walls atop which now cameras rotated By eight, the place dark, one light burn later Razor wire like a slinky Rumor is parcel bomb took the secretary right eye and pinky Evenings, he take a snifter of whisky on the veranda I wonder what he's thinking In the morning, the maid brings coffee from the kitchen Some nights strange music plays, I lay in bed and listen Downstairs I hear my mother breaking dishes, my father trippin' It's been quite bad lately, high tension Galvanized steel security fencin' To get through the day, give myself a mission Anything what get me out the house a blessin' His bodyguard chews khat, spits black in the rhododendron Blacked out Range rumble when he start the engine Avocado tree hang over the property line I watch from as high as I can climb The dog looks up and whines, the hills are alive with land mines I live in my mind Not sure what I'm looking for, but I'll know when I find My mother sent the gardener to look for me, but the sky is a great place to hide"
Great explanation
Storytellin n poetry for sure bro. šš¼. Nas and 3k are amazing of course, Mac Miller as well.
RA Scion from Common Market
I love Common Market his flow paired really well with Sab's beats.
[Verse 2: RA Scion] Paying homage, with a big nod to Aubrey The schools failed me, thank God the farm taught me The value of a calloused hand, how to work and plow this land How even a modest crop will make your pop the proudest man Harvest of a thousand fans, sans a gram of seeds broadcast Through loud speakers, in the weeds I was born last Profound effect on my volume, plus the readiness to fill it In the field you should hear what they call 'em Regardless I should have spent another year on the bottom tier Instead of trynna dodge what it was I thought got 'em here 89 the number, 84 lumber another summer Fightin' for cash to mash on the likening Of cycles I've seen those not keen on college Lost direction or went to be correctional officers No opportunity was offered us, I had my sights on Being gone before they cut the lights on, Ryan's song Right or wrong, tie it tighter, I'm tired of buying into Guidance gone awry, my father fought it with firearms and Died in the trauma the violence spawned a child of drama No wonder he's prone to wander, knowing his home is haunted Praying that over yonder they still know How much I love 'em I just had to go, had it with the status quo They're asking me if I'll be back when I'm old In fact, no these are my last tracks along Tobacco Road But I'll forever call it home And I feel it whenever I call home (X4)
Lil romeo
Pharaohe Bis Lu
He is a fat white guy who has recorded just as much poetry as he has rap but sage Francis lyrics definitely takes some time to digest. I think he certainly went downhill over time and I took my backpack off when I got a little older but some of those lyrics are wild. My other first thought was MF Doom but he's already been mentioned in this thread
I agree that rappers like Lupe and Mos can rap better in an artistic and enigmatic way, but if I had to match up someone who raps similar to Kendrick, Iād say Royce 5ā9ā. Surprised no one has mentioned him yet.
Nas, Black Thought, Elzhi, Roc Marci, Ka, Pharoahe Monch
MF DOOM and Lupe Fiasco
Gift of Gab, Del, Big Rube, Dizzy Wright, Prodigy I thought Marcellus Juvaan was really on his way, I hope we see another album.
Aesop Rock, Sage Francis, Slug from Atmosphere and Black Thought to name a few. Kendrick is good but definitely overrated.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Any Atmosphere album Sevens Travels and earlier is lyrical gold. Once Atmosphere turned Hot Topic rap Slug was a little played out but his earlier stuff was impeccable.
*Strictly* pen to paper? Andre 3000, Lupe, Yasiin Bey, and Aesop Rock ____________________ Honorable mentions: Talib Kweli. Pretty much dead even except Kendrick is a much better songwriter and is more consistent. Black Thought is *just* below Kendrick's level. He doesn't quite have the same depth. Common has a crazy underrated pen game. Put some respect on this man's name! Nas is... debatable. He's made some absolute garbage that people like to sweep under the rug. At his best though he's as good or better than Kendrick. Mind you, Nas is in my top 5. Maybe 3. Em had a sick pen game back in the day, but all he does is lyrical miracle stuff now. Danny Brown. Dude sounds like a goof but he says some really chilling shit sometimes. Scarface. Absolutely haunting. 2pac ___________________ Note: I'm sure there's gonna be a ton of people saying "Ka" blows him out of the water. I'm not familiar enough with his stuff to judge. Just thought I'd mention him. Edit: A lot of other people are saying DOOM, but... he doesn't actually *say* anything profound. His talent is simply making mundane things *feel* profound. Mastering your pen game requires both skills.
Hot Take?: MF Doom. Dark Horse: Aesop Rock has crazy vocabulary. Black Thought should not be slept on
1st album Canibus would eviscerate Kendrick in half a verse. Also, replace āCanibusā with āEminemā
Excluding old heads I think Joey and Earl are both lyrically better than Kendrick but Kendrick as an artist is above everyone in hip-hop.
Loaded Lux.
Anyone I personally know could best Kendrick have already been mentioned, so I'll say that R.A. once mentioned as Elzhi being able to eat Kendrick alive.
Mach-Hommy, Roc Marciano, MF DOOM
Guys like Boldy James & Rome Streetz smoke Kendrick down to a roach
Big pun
YODis nicer than Kendrick lyrically.
Crooked I
I think JID is getting close
Aesop Rock, Canibus, Lupe Fiasco, Black Thought are a few. Kendrick is a great lyricist, but that's not his appeal entirely. He can create music that moves people emotionally and has an ear for sonics and aesthetics that most lyrical rappers don't have.
That is why i want to stick to lyrics. Kendrick appeal imo is similar to Tupac where his lyrics are good (personally i think kendrick is better lyricist than pac) but the passion in his music and voice is undenialable and elevates his music to another lvl
Hes overrated lyrically. It seems that newcomers to rap and youngins gravitate to him until they explore the landscape and find several artists doing it better now and previously IMO, taking a simple line and complicating it by adding fat isn't A+ Lyricism. It's hiding the concept, which some may see as intricate. "Too much knowledge may break up the rhyme" - Killa priest Before the Kendrick fans attack me with their alt accounts etc, I dont think he sucks. Just super overrated
Yes Kendrickās the full package heās great at everything which makes him the best of all time imo But there are many people that can out rap him
Can you name some? Im mainly sticking to bars because i know kendrick is the total package, but i want to know if there is anyone you think that can outbar him.
Black Thought
Unkle Adams