Before you keep going on and on about this, recognize that Kendrick was crowned in 2017. Complex is a sometimes lame, always inconsistent organization that crowns "Best Rapper Alive" on things that only somewhat include socially conscious lyrics, wordplay, bar for bar skill and so on. Its also "is he big in the culture", cultural impact, how many instagram memes they spawn, how many people are stanning, etc etc etc. Between what a time and if you're reading this, it was drake's "year". (like the poster above said)
I have no issue with Drake getting it every other year he’s awarded it but I don’t think he has a legit argument for 2015.
Kendrick was crowned with TPAB. He already had a classic under his belt that no one thought he could top and depending on who you ask he topped it and then some. I haven’t even got into the fact that many songs from TPAB were basically the soundtrack to BLM while it was at its peak. If anything, DAMN took Kendrick down a notch with the hardcore fanbase.
Fair enough. I could go on about this forever but in the end it’s insignificant. I think if it boils down to the music and impact then it’s laughable to crown Drake over Kenny in 2015. I even liked IYRTITL. 6pm in New York is an incredible song and something I wish Drake would focus on more. But it was the year that saw what is likely the consensus album of the decade from a rapper who has more respect in the field and as strong a selling power you can get without being Drake.
Big didn't even release an album in 1995 while Pac dropped the best album of all time. Nas and Big can argue about 94. 1995 was Pac.
ha na it's cool. For the most, when it comes to music post mid-2000's, I just sit down and shut up bc I don't know it near as well as I do like early-mid 200's. In fact, I don't know much about anyone on this list past 2004 other than JayZ and that's bc he started way earlier. It was more me than the music, I think. My internal jukebox just filled up. As I'm typing this, If I Ruled the World is playing on my playlist. I just live musically in that era and I'm ok with that.
Because I think TPAB is better than anything Drakes ever done by a mile and especially what he did in 2015?
I don't disagree with this but Drake did have the #1 and #6 albums in overall sales in 2015. That's a pretty solid case. Kendrick is one of the few guys I care about these days so I'm on your side when comparing them but #1 and #6 is pretty damn impressive.
I meant it just in terms of how Complex was making their list decisions vs yours. kendrick shits on anything drake has in that sense.
If sales are the guiding factor then there shouldn’t be a year where drake dropped that he didn’t win
And neglecting every other aspect that goes into their list. Like social presence, sales, reactions, etc. Yes Kendrick did that, Drake did more of that in Complex’s eyes according to what they wrote.
I just think it’s a bit tone deaf. Complex is definitely a very Drake friendly media outlet though so it’s not surprising. I think it’s easy to glance over the social media stuff in favor of an all time album by an all time artist
The greatest rapper of all time put out the best album of all time in 1995 and Complex crowned someone that didn't even release an album in 1995 as the king of 1995 so please don't get upset over their rankings.
Most contemporary rap music is hot fucking garbage. There are still great artists but they're surrounded by a sea of mumble rapping trash bags.
I don't bash new music just to bash new music. The old man part of me just wants to listen to people who have something to say. That's in any genre.
same here but let’s call a spade a spade it fucking sucks for the most part.......can only rap about pills, depression and lean for so long......one of my bffs his 23 year old son is a producer/beat maker and he’s always hitting me up for songs from the 90s to sample, he agrees he was born into the wrong generation for hip hop he’s actually making beats for some well know bay area rappers now with 90s feel it’s great to see
Look it was all reality Mama ain't really have no salary Clothes raggedy, chili bowl on my head was a tragedy No one laughed at me cause whether they were student or faculty When it came to cappin' they referred to me as Your Majesty Lowkey, A coping mechanism I told jokes cause I was broke and hope it divert some attention From the fact that we was 5 kids living in one room Ain't hit me til we played hide and seek, nowhere to run to but the closet, deserve applauses for makin' it out the slums, Gotta be flawless or hella cautious to make it without a gun
only heard a few of his songs and it was absolute trash but sounds like he was about to blow up, sorry to hear.....sounds like some jealous haters jacked him
Yea I am only aware of the feature he had on the Jackboys LP, and a friend who lives in NY had mentioned his name before. He was only 20 I think, which makes it even more sad
When i think denzel curry, JID, Isiaah rashaad, Tyler, Schoolboy, Jay Rock, AbSoul, Joey Badass, i think mumble rap and lean
I think those are more the exceptions rather then the majority of artists of this current period, those are the dudes I fuck with rn
People look in the trash and complain when they find trash. I hate lil pump & post myself. i rock with future tho you wont find me declaring "all new rappers are terrible" 7 times outta 10 its it's someone who hasn't listened to anything newer than 2007. There are more rappers now. That dont mean rap is all mumbling, pills, lean, xans If you arent up on the curent generation, have the grace to admit it like dbl.
In the SWAT or the West Every bar I spit is for people oppressed I need every penny won't settle for less Trash on the radio really keep me abreast Of the current tool for manipulation is in my community Astronomical coonery fancy cars or jewelry don't influence me I think every hood need an annuity or at least a solid year of jubilee That's why I spit tips like gratuity In hopes to slow the rate of eulogies Hell I wish there was two of me Truthfully every label need some scrutiny Cause musically they foolishly push bufoonery Into the schools and we Let 'em
Nah I listen to 97% hip hop every single day of my life, I’m always looking for new shit all day everyday, so absolutely up to date on what’s out there......just because you think shit is absolutely fire nowadays then that’s fucking dope for you, me? I just gotta dig deeper to find what I love me from this age
It's like that in nearly every genre. I listen to a lot of country and folk but it's nearly all independent people because the stuff on the radio is generally garbage. Not all of it. There's gems out there. But it's mostly not for me.
I’m not trying to tell you or anyone else what to listen to/like, but as someone who listens to a lot of hip hop, there’s just not a lot of quality. There’s definitely some(namely those you listed), there’s just a whole lot more crap out there because anyone can do it if they want
I think Hip Hop is just kind of going through a little emo phase. All the late teens/early 20s dudes with colored hair and face tats are all kind of riding the same wave. I dont listen to any of it really but there is plenty of young guns that have bright futures that aren't mixed in with those people like hood b. goode listed
Any spotify users? I think Hip Hop in it's current state is reflected there pretty well. The two must popular playlist under the hip hop tab are Rap Caviar and Most Necessary. Both of which I have a hard time listening to. I'd much rather listen to playlists like Mellow Bars and Alternative Hip Hop