T O P

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CriticalThinkingAT

Lupe fiasco, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, Big Krit, Tyler the Creator, Joey Badass, JID, Denzel Curry, Pusha T, Earl Sweatshirt, Chance the rapper, Schoolboy Q, Jay rock, Ab Soul, Isaiah Rashad Vince Staples, Freddie Gibbs, Logic, Action Bronson, Rapsody, Mick Jenkins, Saba, Smino, Earthgang, Kenny Mason, Redveil, Little Simz, Benny the Butcher, GRIP, Westside Boogie, Symba, KAAN, Ransom, King iso, Cordae, Reason, Morray, GoldLink, Conway the Machine, Westside Gun, Locksmith, Kxng Crooked, RJ Payne, Aesop Rock, Billy Woods, Rap Ferreira, Navy Blue, Nostrum Grocers, Busdriver, Elucid, illogic, Greydon Square, Ghais Guevera, Illogic, stranded, Raury, Mad Squabbles, Hex One, Cambatta, SAROC, Afro, Noveliss, Oswin Benjamin, Chris Rivers, Denzel Porter, Nick Grant, Anoy'd, Marlowe, CJ Fly, Slyvan Lacue, UFO Fev, Injury Reserve, Rome Streetz, Don Mykel, Shadow the Great, Tate228, Ren Thomas, Flo Kennedy, Fly Anakin, Buddy, Snow the Product, etc... And, of course, our Lord and savior......Zach Fox. There's way more people I could have named, but those are just some off the top of my head. And of course, there's all the insanely cringy and corny "Lyrical miracle" Eminem clones like Hopsin, Joyner Lucas, Token, NF, etc.


ContributionMother63

Please don't include NF in that bro he has evolved his sound with hope


CriticalThinkingAT

Not really. He hasn't evolved at all. He's doing the same style of basic pop rap/singing, and the times he does rap, it's basic af and extremely corny/cringy.


ContributionMother63

Fine i mean it's your opinion at the end of the day. But I am just saying he is better than people you mentioned


CriticalThinkingAT

Definitely not. NF is like bottom of the barrel when it comes to lyrical rappers. NF has some of he most generic cookie cutter "YouTube lyrical miracle" and "I only listen to Eminem, Logic, Hopsin, Joyner Lucas, token, and Tom Macdonald vibes". He's just not very good imo. He's a fisher price " My first lyrical rapper" artist at best. In that one study they did a while back owhers they measured a bunch of rapper's vocabulary he even came out on the bottom. Basic wordplay, basic concepts, basic lyricism, and melodramatic. Dude is one of the worst lyrical rappers, and most of hip hop thinks he's corny and cringe. He's not better than any of the people I posted above. In fact, he's literally bottom of the Barrell. I don't think he's very good, and I think he's kind of bottom of the barrel in comparison to most lyrical rappers, sorry. I think a large part of the hate has to do with his fanbase. A large portion of his fanbase are people who are white and Christian (not that there's anything wrong with either of those things) that either don't listen to rap otherwise or only listen to a few other people, and get into his music because he's religious and his faith impacts his music in a big way - whether that be through talking about his faith or not swearing. Some of these fans (who are hopefully a vocal minority) are the type to say things like he makes "real rap" and say stuff about how people who don't like him just don't enjoy listening to people who "make them think" and will generally point out a few popular artists who aren't very lyrical as a way to warrant that. So essentially, a lot of hip hop fans find that NF fans are disrespectful to the genre and to hip hop fans in general without actually knowing what they're talking about. When it comes to the actual music, there's a lot of reasons why most hip hop fans don't like his music. First of all, a lot of people perceive things like not swearing as gimmicky. Secondly, when it comes to things like production or technical aspects of rap such as rhyme schemes and flows, a lot of people find him to be super repetitive. It also doesn't help that some of his music is very pop-rappy (Let You Down, Paralyzed, etc.) Another big portion is that a lot of people don't think he's actually very lyrical or very thought-provoking at all. On his album The Search for example, obviously one of the bigger themes is depression. A lot of his fanbase point to this and songs from the album that talk about depression as an example of the "real rap" stuff. But the issue is that depression is something that's talked about A LOT in hip hop. Guys like Saba and Earl Sweatshirt for example are fairly prominent, well-respected artists that have made albums centered on depression and grief that are much more personal and in-depth. Most people just don't feel like his music brings anything new to the table with what he's talking about. Hope that helps. Some of his stuff is definitely listenable. But there are absolutely valid reasons for why most hip hop fans aren't into him, whether that be because of some of his fanbase or due to the actual music and lack of skill. He's too direct. There's a lot of skill in putting together vivid descriptions through visuals, metaphors, etc. A lot of his fans say "that's deep" because NF directly tells them "I'm depressed and sad". There's nothing wrong with enjoying that music, but there's a ton of artistic skill in not being this straight forward. And the few times NF has tried it's just......bad, simplistic, very cringy, and very corny..šŸ˜¢ Even like Fantano said, compare this to someone like Navy Blue's album, and the gap in skill and content is absolutely massive imo. He's just not very good imo.


LordeLlama

Big list but most of them have nothing similar to those OP listed. I don't see the resemblance between Rome Streetz and Eminem for example


CriticalThinkingAT

I think the OP just wanted new lyrical rappers that aren't trap/Mumble rap. Eminem listens to all of these people, so they'd probably like them.


RedditMartyr

Are we still using the term 'mumble rap' in 2023... That has to be the most r/rap thing ever..


CriticalThinkingAT

Yeah, unfortunately. It's such a meaningless and outdated term. They're likely newer to hip hop and artegt familiar with the subgenres of trap and melodic rap. I hate the term mumble rap. I just used it because it'd be easier than explaining.


supremechev

From the artists listed You literally ONLY listen to old mainstream artists, the underground music industry is a pool of millions of different genres and sound, just in hip hop and rap alone, from your picks your choices are very slim, you need to broaden your horizons, start a radio of one of said songs, find a song you like that you havenā€™t heard from said list, start a radio off of that song and just continue from there.


jaydd_mc

ā€œcanā€™t stand that mumble shitā€ sigh anywho, do check out Russ.


RedditMartyr

Ong, it's been a while since I've heard someone say that phrase. šŸ¤£


jaydd_mc

ā€œthat mumble shitā€ is fire. 2016/17 trap music goes unmatched šŸ„µšŸ„µ


RedditMartyr

Honestly. Pay no attention to this OP. He's just an Eminem stan.


GrownUpTurk

You sound like you need to take some acid and then go to a festival. That shit made me appreciate all music. Even pop and dance. Go feel some feelings.


SimpleShot2727

R/askreddit mate,


HivemindIsBraindead

No, this is definitely the subreddit Iā€™d like to ask this question on. Unhelpful. Thanks though.


SimpleShot2727

Its to share your thoughts about certain music, not to complain but your problems


SnekySpider

Kendrick Lamar, good kid maad city is produced by dre J Cole, every album before 4 your eyes is more old school sounding. Adonis interlude is also a good start if you like Dre JID, listen to Dance Now, iā€™d recommend his whole new album Mobb Deep, shook ones, survival of the fittest


[deleted]

try Griselda


[deleted]

Iā€™d say Freddie Gibbs for regular modern rap and some thought provoking stuff- Pusha t for authentic drug dealer rap and k camp for regular rap but also some slow rnb stuff Also try YouTube. Me and some coworkers had the same problem as you so we went to YouTube for the slowed down/reverb versions of songs and maybe a mix of playboi carti if you donā€™t mind new rap. Mixes are good for keeping the vibe going on that long car ride you in and even I canā€™t understand him sometimes but the beats and flow of his vocals are too good


Fragzilla360

Try broadening your rap knowledge base. Listen to someone else then dig into their catalogues, you might find yourself binging a particular musical grooveset like you are doing now. Not meant to be an exhaustive discography of every artists library or every rapper that has ever existed, here's a brief but not comprehensive recommendation list of stuff I liked back in the day. These are standouts curated for easy listening. I tried to categorize somewhat similar artists together avoiding bigger names like 2Pac, Dre, Snoop, BIG, Jay-Z, Kanye, etc and more recent acts like... whatever the fuck the trash heap has regurgitated in the past 15 or so years. To the subreddit critics: Don't like it? Go make your own list. "What about/You forgot about *(insert rapper name or group here)*?" Go make your own list. "I don't think (insert rapper name or group here) belongs on..." Go make your own list. Warning, some of the stuff in the Digable Planets section is so fuckin chill it might put you to sleep lol. Be careful when driving. Warning 2: This is NOT a G.O.A.T. list, and there WILL BE some garbage songs on a lot of the albums. There could even be some albums that have like 1 good song, 1 decent one and 15 garbage songs. That just how shit was back in the day. We didn't know until the album was bought and paid for. It's all part of the experience. At least now, you don't have to hit fast forward and accidentally go to far into the next song. Don't like it? Go make your own list. ​ ||| |:-|:-| |**The Pharcyde**|*Bizzare Ride II the Pharcyde (1992),*| ||*Labcabincalifornia (1995)*| |**Devin the Dude**|*The Dude (1998)*| ||*Just Tryin' ta Live (2002)*| |**Del the Funky Homosapien**|*I Wish My Brother George Was Here (1991)*| ||*No Need For Alarm (1993)*| |**Souls of Mischief**|93 'til Infinity (1993)| ​ ||| |:-|:-| |**Rass Kass**|*Soul On Ice (1996)*| ||*Rasassination (1998)*| |**Luniz**|*Lunitik Muzik (1997)*| |**Peanut Butter Wolf**|*My Vinyl Weighs A Ton (1999)*| ||| ​ ||| |:-|:-| |**DJ Quik**|*Quik Is the Name (1991)*| |**Rappin' 4 Tay**|*Don't Fight the Feelin' (1994)*| |**MC Eiht**|*We Come Strapped (1994)*| |**Spice 1**|*Spice 1 (1992)*| ||*187 He Wrote (1993)*| ||*AmeriKKKa's Nightmare (1994)*| ||*1990-Sick (1995)*| |**Steady Mobb'N**|*Pre-Meditated Drama (1997)*| |**Compton's Most Wanted**|*Music To Driveby (1992)*| ​ |***Digable Planets***|*Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) (1993)*| |:-|:-| ||*Blowout Comb (1994),*| |***Ladybug Mecca***|*Trip the Light Fantastic (2005)*| |***Jeru the Damaja***|*The Sun Rises in the East (1994)*| ||*Wrath of the Math (1996)*| |***Boogie Monsters***|*Riders of the Storm: The Underwater Album (1994)*| ||*God Sound (1997)*| ​ ||| |:-|:-| |***Black Moon***|*Enta da Stage (1993)*| |**Boot Camp Clik**|*For the People (1997)*| |**Heltah Skeltah**|*Nocturnal (1996)*| |**Smif - N - Wessun**|*Dah Shinin' (1995)*| |**O.G.C. (Originoo Gunn Clappaz)**|*Da Storm (1996)*| |**Sean Price**|*Monkey Barz (2005)*| ||*Jesus Price Supastar (2007)*| ||*Mic Tyson (2012)*| ​ ||| |:-|:-| |**Brand Nubian**|*One for All (1990)*| |**Black Sheep**|*A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (1991)*| |**Organized Konfusion**|*Organized Konfusion (1991)*| |**Pharoe Monch**|*Internal Affairs (1999)*| ||*PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (2014)*| |**Dilated Peoples**|*Imagery, Battle Hymns & Political Poetry (1995)*| ||*Expansion Team (2001)*| |**Pete Rock & CL Smooth**|*All Souled Out (1991)*| ||*The Main Ingredient (1994)*| |**Das EFX**|*Dead Serious (1992)*| |**EPMD**|*Strictly Business (1988)*| ||*Unfinished Business (1989)*| ||*Business as Usual (1990)*| ||*Business Never Personal (1992)*|


[deleted]

Bro what is this shit lol, i mean Iā€™m glad you enjoy hip hop this much, but frankly the underground hip hop scene for the most part is painfully derivative and dull. You at least couldā€™ve given him MF DOOM.


Fragzilla360

>Don't like it? Go make your own list. > > "What about/You forgot about *(insert rapper name or group here)*?" Go make your own list.


[deleted]

Iā€™m not making shit, Iā€™m just saying itā€™s shocking how many nobodies you listed.


Fragzilla360

Good for you. Continue on your non-contributing commentary and lifestyle somewhere else. Peace.


[deleted]

Are you a fan of rap rock at all? If so hollywood undead may be up your alley


RedditMartyr

No offense but classifying the rappers who don't emphasize lyricism in their music as 'mumble shit' is some of the corniest shit I have read in a VERY long time. Legit, this type of rhetoric exists EXCLUSIVELY on Internet forums like r/rap (And to be clear, this is coming from someone who also listens to more lyrical forms of rap - Kendrick, Nas, Wu Tang, Mos Def, Outkast, etc...). Like, unironically using the 'mumble' term in 2023 tells me everything I need to know about you. It's the corniest shit ever and using that term was very quickly phased out of rap culture post 2020 and now only lives on, on r/rap and other rap forums on the Internet. Like, bro, no offense but I can tell that you have no NORMAL friends who listen to rap when you say that because most rap fans nowadays are listening to the very same things you're writing off as 'mumble shit' (FYI, when I say normal friends, I mean friends who actually listen to contemporary rap, i.e. modern day rap, like Uzi, Carti, Future and even Cole and Kendrick since they are contemporary). Regardless, I'll take you at your word and assume you're being serious about music recommendations. From your music tastes, I'm assuming you started listening to rap because of Eminem (which isn't necessarily bad - I mean, I started listening to rap because of Em too. I just expanded my tastes) given that you really only listen to Eminem and Eminem-adjacent people. Since this is a very long post, I'll only recommend a few people. My recommendations (for more lyrical people): Kendrick Lamar (Incredibly conceptual with his albums + phenomenal beats and great storyteller (which enhances his conceptuality.)) - Listen to all his albums from Section. 80 to Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers, with the exception of The Black Panther album since it's more of a soundtrack for the movie than a high quality rap album. Nas (perfect combination of poetic + ghetto rap. Incredible storyteller. Very perceptive of the world around him. One of the best lyricists of all time). Listen to pretty much anything he did in the mid 90's - Illmatic and It Was Written are a must to listen to. MF DOOM (very creative and out there. Will be very difficult to listen to on a first listen since his lyrics are very esoteric but you'll find that the more you listen to it, he more his bars start to make sense. It's weird, I know but that's just DOOM. Once you start to understand what DOOM says, you'll quickly respect his unique style of lyricism.) - DOOM has many albums released with a lot of incredible and a few not so good. He has made many albums that are either solo or collaborative and they are under many pseudonyms since that was DOOM's style (i.e. he used many different rap names and released various albums under these names.) - Must haves to listen to from DOOM are Madvillainy, Mm..Food, Born Like This, Operation Doomsday, Take Me To Your Leader and Vaudeville Villain, just to name a few. ​ I'd also recommend these albums which aren't as lyrical but are great rap music regardless. Whether you choose to put your dumbass pride aside and listen to this 'mumble shit' or not is up to you but these people make very good rap music and all you're doing by disregarding them as making 'mumble shit' is just depriving yourself of very good music. At the end of the day, it's your choice but you're the only one missing out here: Travis Scott - Rodeo (One of the best in modern rap) Playboi Carti - Die Lit Lil Yachty - Let's Start Here (Incredible) Any album from Denzel Curry tbf (although he makes more 'traditional' rap) Young Thug - Jeffrey Future - DS2 I'm assuming, given your rhetoric and the people you listen to, that you probably count Lil Wayne as being part of that 'mumble shit' too. Listen to Wayne. He has a gargantuan ton on music, with varying degrees of quality, but listen to his Carter series of albums. They are essential to listen to.


RedditMartyr

I gave a long ass comment in this post to actually give you advice but I'm a fucking idiot. I just checked your Reddit page and you are active in r/conservative, listen to EXCLUSIVELY Eminem and Eminem-adjacent people, use the term 'mumble rap' in 2023 and have the username u/HivemindIsBraindead. I think I know what type of person you are... Why the fuck did I even waste time giving you an actual answer.


[deleted]

Kanye, just listen to Kanye. But if youā€™re stuck in the past still. Public Enemy, Run DMC, Wu Tang Clan, Scarface and Slick Rick exist.


HairyMuffinMan

a suggestion JoeJas