# Most "poetic" rappers.... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 22, 2008, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894 "2008-08-22T03:23:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gitfiddle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/898d66/32.png) [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/1 "2008-08-22T03:23:05Z")
This kind of goes along with another post I wrote about the best songwriters, where I mentioned rappers, but I want to devote one solely to rappers, as its probably the genre that I’ve found the fewest examples of flawless songwriting. It’s also the genre with which I’m probably the least familiar. What I’m looking for is not just good rappers. I’m looking for rappers who are really good lyricists. That is, there works could stand alone as works of poetry. Now, I know that’s pretty vague, so what I want is for you to explain why you feel this or that rapper fits this category and give examples of his/her lyrics (only about half a dozen lines according to SDMB rules and link to the full piece). One of the criteria, I think (though others might disagree) that makes a truly talented rapper is one who doesn’t sacrifice the quality of what he’s writing to the rhyme scheme. Rhyming is so important to rap, so it takes a lot of talent to make a song work without making these sorts of sacrifices. I’ll offer my first examples below: - Blackalicious. I mean, seriously, who can go from writing stuff like this: > [@](#): > > "[Release](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/blackalicious/releasepart123.html) " > > The heaven-sent benevolent medicine man reverend > Peddling deliverance that resemble amphetamines > to the residents in the meadow of pestilence > Who developed a chemical dependence on pessimism, now to writing about Chemistry, just to prove that you can do it: > [@](#): > > "[Chemical Calisthenics](http://www.musicsonglyrics.com/B/blackaliciouslyrics/blackaliciouschemicalcalisthenicslyrics.htm) " > > … > > Law of de-fi-nite pro-por-tion, gain-ing weight > I’m every element of brown > Lead, gold, tin, iron, platinum, zinc, when I rap you think > Iodine nitrate activate Red geranium, the only difference is I transmit sound Balance was unbalanced then you add a little talent and… Or [Alphabet Aerobics](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/blackalicious/alphabetaerobics.html) > [@](#): > > Artificial amateurs, aren’t at all amazing > Analytically, I assault, animate things > Broken barriers bounded by the bomb beat > Buildings are broken, basically I’m bombarding > Casually create catastrophes, casualties > Cancelling cats got their canopies collapsing - Saul Williams. This is a bit of a stretch, since he’s probably technically a “poetry jammer” (or whatever its called), but the poem that’s on the first Blackalicious poems is one of the most beautiful poems I’ve ever heard: > [@](#): > > I can think of nothing heavier than an airplane > I can think of no greater conglomerate of steel and metal > I can think of nothing less likely to fly > There are no wings more weighted > I too have felt a heaviness > The stare of man guessing at my being - The Roots. > [@](#): > > "[Something in the Way of Things](http://www.lyricstime.com/the-roots-something-in-the-way-of-things-in-town-lyrics.html) " > Riding on top of the car > peering through the windshield for his cue > Something entirely fictitious and true > That creeps across your path hallowing your evil ways > Like they were yourself passing yourself not smiling - K’Naan is another one, but I can’t find a site for any of his lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![gitfiddle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/898d66/32.png) [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/2 "2008-08-24T12:45:21Z")
Soooo…again, nothing? ---
**Author:** ![davidw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/3 "2008-08-24T13:47:32Z")
I can think of a few, but I don’t feel like hunting down lyrics right now: Rakim, El-P, Boots (The Coup), MF Doom, Jay Electronica, Nas ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/4 "2008-08-24T16:10:49Z")
J-Live, Atmosphere, Tupac ---
**Author:** ![The\_Shroud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@The\_Shroud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Shroud)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2008, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/5 "2008-08-24T16:28:19Z")
Aesop Rock is one of the few rappers whose lyrics I actually concentrate on. I love “No Regrets” and “9 to 5-ers Anthem.” ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/6 "2008-08-25T02:30:15Z")
[QUOTE=davidw] I can think of a few, but I don’t feel like hunting down lyrics right now: Rakim, El-P, Boots (The Coup), MF Doom, Jay Electronica, Nas [/QUOTE] Whoa! If you had mentioned KRS One, I would have thought we were the same person. But the OP makes me think of a different kind of poetry feel. I nominate a single line from an old LL Cool J song; “Pink Cookies in a Plastic Bag… Being crushed by buildings.” ---
**Author:** ![Salmo\_Trutta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@Salmo\_Trutta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salmo_Trutta)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/7 "2008-08-25T03:06:01Z")
Pick up some Sage Francis. He’s a Rhode Island slam poet gone battle-rapper gone recording artist. He’s a pudgy white feminist vegan that doesn’t drink, smoke or use. This isn’t exactly a recipe for your usual hip hop fare, but it works. Absolutely fantastic wordplay and most often has something of relevance, or at least self-aware, to say. The only time he talks about hoes and bling is to make fun of the current state of hip hop. “Personal Journals” is an almost flawless album, but “A Healthy Distrust” is what I usually give friends to start with because it’s a touch more accessible. The last half of his newest “Human the Death Dance” is among his best work. Check out “Makeshift Patriot” for a good sampling of writing style. It’s not as musically strong as much of his work but it was written and released quickly so it’s a bit unpolished. This was written the week after 9/11 and released on 10/11. Some fantastic insight. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/RtNMly0aDUk/hqdefault.jpg "Makeshift Patriot") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtNMly0aDUk) By the way, not his video. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/8 "2008-08-25T03:29:10Z")
Honestly, Eminem is pretty damn solid in the lyrics department. He’s the only rapper that can consistently make me laugh. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanTigerTamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@SuntanTigerTamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanTigerTamer)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/9 "2008-08-25T04:14:36Z")
Saul Williams, all day, every day. If rap is still around in twenty years, it will sound like Saul Williams. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/10 "2008-08-25T05:40:31Z")
If there was more focus on rap as a poetic medium, then I’d agree. It isn’t so. Mainstream music, including rap, is forgettable junk by and large. I need to click on some of these links to get my learn on, but most of this stuff from the group names I’ve read is pretty under the radar. ---
**Author:** ![gitfiddle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/898d66/32.png) [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/11 "2008-08-25T06:01:40Z")
[QUOTE=FoieGrasIsEvil] If there was more focus on rap as a poetic medium, then I’d agree. It isn’t so. Mainstream music, including rap, is forgettable junk by and large. I need to click on some of these links to get my learn on, but most of this stuff from the group names I’ve read is pretty under the radar. [/QUOTE] I never said it has to be mainstream. Most of the rap I’m familiar with that is mainstream, in my opinion, doesn’t fit the standards I posted above. For instance, while there are songs by both Nas and Eminen that I _like_, I wouldn’t call the lyrics (that I’m familiar with) works of poetry, which is why I wanted people to give examples of why said persons’ lyrics are particularly poetic. **SuntanTigerTamer** , I agree. I’ve listened to a lot of Saul Williams’ stuff, and it’s brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![gitfiddle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/898d66/32.png) [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/12 "2008-08-25T06:20:20Z")
If you don’t want to post lyrics, I’d appreciate if you’d at least post the name of a song that exemplifies why you think a certain rappers fits in this category…thanks ---
**Author:** ![gitfiddle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/898d66/32.png) [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/13 "2008-08-25T06:28:30Z")
I’m really liking this Sage Francis… ---
**Author:** ![Salmo\_Trutta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@Salmo\_Trutta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salmo_Trutta)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/14 "2008-08-25T06:43:34Z")
I’m glad to hear it. He’s one of about 5 or 6 musicians I can listen to consistantly without getting sick of it. Here’s a couple more noteworthy songs. My favorite called “Runaways”. Pretty great writing, but then again I’m a social worker. The lyrics are posted here too. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XxFGI6ZkFDk/hqdefault.jpg "Sage Francis- Runaways") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxFGI6ZkFDk) This one features a verse with Saul Williams and chorus by my favorite songwriter of all time, Will Oldham. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BffumeEaYOI) ---
**Author:** ![davidw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/15 "2008-08-25T20:26:55Z")
[QUOTE=Nzinga, Seated] Whoa! If you had mentioned KRS One, I would have thought we were the same person. [/QUOTE] Well, KRS One is one of my hip hop heroes, and I can recite at least half a dozen of his songs from memory. ---
**Author:** ![davidw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/16 "2008-08-26T00:00:10Z")
Okay, let’s see: Rakim,[Follow the Leader](http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/rakim/follow/follow.rkm.txt) > [@](#): > > So follow me and were ya thinkin’ you were first? > Let’s travel at magnificent speeds around the Universe > What could ya say as the Earth gets further and further away > Planets are small as balls of clay > Astray into the Milky Way - world’s outasight > Far as the eye can see - not even a satellite > Now stop and turn around and look > As ya stare in the darkness, ya knowledge is took! > So keep starin soon ya suddenly see a star > You better follow it cause it’s the R El-P, [Patriotism](http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/companyf/rm_bside/patriot.flw.txt) > [@](#): > > I’m America!! This is where the pain grows like poppies > in a Field of Dreams I paid for, I’ll burn it down if operated sloppily > COPY? My economic sanction rhyme style got your syllables > scraping for rice and riding in a pre-1960 jalopy > My favorite flavour of gas is mustard > I’m fuckin a blind hermaphrodite icon and convincin you that it’s justice! The Coup, [Me & Jesus the Pimp in a '79 Granada Last Nite](http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/coup_the/steal/me_jesus.cou.txt) > [@](#): > > City lights from far way can make you drop yo’ jaw > Sparklin’ like sequins on a transvestite at Mardi Gras > There’s beauty in the cracks of the cement > When I was five I hopped over them wherever we went to prevent > whatever it was that could break my momma’s back > Little did I know that it would roll up in a Cadillac > And matta-fact, she couldn’t see him like a cataract > And on the track, she went from beautiful to battleaxe > And back at home, she would cry into her pillow > Vomit in the commode, I was six years old > I would crawl onto her lap and we would hug and hold > Never knew how she was sufferin for my food and clothes MF Doom, [The Fine Print](http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/mf_doom/takemeto/fi_print.mfd.txt) > [@](#): > > Hear ye, hear ye! How dare ye > Go up against the king who do his thing tri-yearly? > They’re too carefree with their mouths around here > Off with his head, and display it at Town Square > On top a seven-feet spike, make sure it’s on tight > In light of when the peasants throw stones with all their might > Skull get smashed for weeks > ‘Til vulture beaks eats the last meat off your cheeks > Maybe then they’ll know the right words to speak > Out loud, at home, in the world, or in the streets > It’s no escape, just in case > All the kings’ mens and 'em decides to go apes > The most slick-talking of burly guys > Get caught and boiled in oil like curly fries > Even those that’s Mr. Furley’s size that earned the fate > Could all get burned at the stake > Send word to his closest kins, that for his sins > We claim his throne, his providence, and its citizens Nas, [NY State of Mind, Part 2](http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/nas/i_am_nas/nystate2.nas.txt) > [@](#): > > Had eight partners growin up, eight turned to seven > Seven turned to six niggaz, got two in heaven > Six of us, holdin it, now it’s five rollin thick > The sixth one’s parole flipped; five niggaz, went to fo’ quick > when he went O.T., college life, converted into gangbangin > Four niggaz still hangin, years passed and slang changin > Three of us now, fourth nigga ain’t around > We all thought he was real – he did the snake shit > Fake shit – beat his ass down, yo his mouth > could’ve got us all wasted, what a fuckin clown > All I got left in the end is two of my best friends > And we all goin out, to the death for these ends, WHAT? [Nas Is Like](http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/nas/i_am_nas/is_like.nas.txt) > [@](#): > > Freedom or jail, clips inserted, a baby’s bein born > Same time my man is murdered, the beginning and end > As far as rap go, it’s only natural, I explain > My plateau, and also, what defines my name > First it was Nasty, but times have changed > Ask me now, I’m the artist, but hardcore, my science for pain > I spent time in the game, kept my mind on fame > Saw fiends shoot up, and do lines of cocaine > Saw my close friends shot, flatline am I sane? ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/17 "2008-08-26T00:39:37Z")
Try **The Streets** - a British guy who did a fantastic rap opera called "A Grand Don’t Come For Free\*\* about a few weeks in the life of a lower-class Londoner. ---
**Author:** ![paffinity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@paffinity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paffinity)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/18 "2008-08-26T01:39:28Z")
I’ll third Saul Williams, I’m glad to see him getting some attention. > [@](#): > > Seaweed washed upon the shore. > Severed locks of he who walks the ocean floor. > I drive a yellow Volvo. '86 submarine. > I drove it under water guided by my own high beams. > Nothing’s left. Witnessed the demolition of the west. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/19 "2008-08-26T02:26:28Z")
[QUOTE=The Shroud] Aesop Rock is one of the few rappers whose lyrics I actually concentrate on. I love “No Regrets” and “9 to 5-ers Anthem.” [/QUOTE] **Aesop Rock** is bleeding awesome. I came in this thread just to recommend him. > [@](#): > > I used to have a rope ladder but tattered were the rungs > I strung it from the highest willow, trying to hug the sun > The seventh level buckled and I tumbled from the summit > Now I’m back to re-climb and this time light my cigarette from it > My stitching division to vision warfares > Numb enough to soak suddenly in a bullet bath > And skip stones in the morning as I lie in color > Phantom tantrum explicable, sit and pull the petals off wild flower patches > Magic happens! > Behold, pity the lowlife parish > Doom City barracks left remorse coursed on a horse-drawn carriage by the torch of Polaris > To the Badlands, where every bridge collapse right where the crowd stands, > Where the witches are fireproof and every preacher’s a madman… > > –from [How to Be a Carpenter](http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9W2SbJbR6ys) > [@](#): > > …And I ain’t getting any younger > My knuckles wear their bruises well > I’ve yet to lose that hunger > But only time can tell > Prodigal Son with a prodigal wish to sew that prodigal stitch > And crucify bigot voodoo doll on two popsicle sticks > See your name is Ambiguity > My name is something hands can’t hold > But hearts part ocean scapes just to watch the starlet unfold > It’s like sketching a circle in the dirt with a pointed stick > Knowing the wind’ll kill it some day, still it calls my burning wits for now… > > –from [Battery](http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VUPHskeyEgw) > [@](#): > > This is not your ordinary ballad > With a perfect little bow around the middle > And a black man on a white horse > Or a white man on a black horse > It’s got all these tired parts where > We don’t even sing at random > Princess, raise the drawbridge > We don’t serve your kind > It ends where it begins > And the beginning isn’t pretty > Can’t forget that not-so-perfect > Bow around the middle ('round the middle, 'round the middle…)… > > –from [Drawbridge](http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9erp8NxaAwA) ---
**Author:** ![JackHandy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@JackHandy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackHandy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894/20 "2008-08-26T10:17:03Z")
Fugies, Lauryn hill, Mighty souls of mischief, Hieroglyphics, Tribe called quest, Bush babies(“We run things”), Methodmam, Redman, Run Dmc(“down with the king”), Slick Rick, Keith Murry(“the most bueatyfullest thing in this world”), Mic Geronimo( “I’m so lie, You so Lie”), Big L, Big Pun, Lords of the underground, Bone thugs n harmony… Now these will be hardest to find; Jairu the damager, black moon([anything fr bootcamp click & duck down records]), A Z, Math, 10 theifs, funkdoubis, Madskillz, and, Living ledgends… Sorry ha but ask & all I do is work and download the rap. Hope that helps you. Oh yea Mc Hammer,vanilla ice, And the Fillipino rapper Vanilla rice 😃 just kidding on that last ones 😛 But I hope that helps (`~`) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-poetic-rappers/460894.md?page=2)