My Mic Sounds Nice: A Truth About Women in Hip Hop

[rhoyaltempest]

Airs again 10:00pm EST on Sunday 9/5.

[christiangirl]

Someone help me out with the diff between an MC, a rapper, and a lyricist. I know, generally, the differences but they're being used in unfamiliar contexts here.

[Phrozen1ne]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Someone help me out with the diff between an MC, a rapper, and a lyricist. I know, generally, the differences but they're being used in unfamiliar contexts here.

My definition of an MC is someone who can freestyle well, battle and usually stays true to their art form without trying to conform to sell a record. Good with word play. Usually they incorporate DJs into the mix and can move the crowd with their performances. They can cover a myriad of topics in their music. Their music is usually for a select few.

Lyricist and MC can be one in the same. Lyricist write their own material and it tends to be slightly poetic. Good with word play, metaphors, punch lines, and usually has something thought provoking to say. They also can talk about a myriad of topics in their music.

Rappers usually make music for the masses, stuff that sells. Most of time they are stuck on one topic (drugs, murder, whoring for money, goofy catchy themes, etc.) Seldom is it thought provoking. They can move a crowd as well...sometimes. Trying to be trendy becomes their aim.

I feel like I'm missing something, but those are my definitions.

Also rap and hip hop are not the same and the meanings become more jumbled as the years progress

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Phrozen1ne

Also rap and hip hop are not the same and the meanings become more jumbled as the years progress

It doesn't become more jumbled for Hip Hop Heads.

[Phrozen1ne]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

It doesn't become more jumbled for Hip Hop Heads.

[Animate]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Someone help me out with the diff between an MC, a rapper, and a lyricist. I know, generally, the differences but they're being used in unfamiliar contexts here.

Honestly, I'm one of the people that will tell you that they are all the same somewhat, technically. All MCs and lyricists are rappers...all rappers aren't MCs and/or lyricists.

I actually don't like when people try to split hip hop into different elitist groups. I don't get how some people consider *barf* Soulja Boy the greatest out but if that entertains them then who am I to tell them what to enjoy? Besides, there is so much variety in rap that there is something for literally everyone.

[Phrozen1ne]

Originally Posted by Animate

Honestly, I'm one of the people that will tell you that they are all the same somewhat, technically. All MCs and lyricists are rappers...all rappers aren't MCs and/or lyricists.

I actually don't like when people try to split hip hop into different elitist groups. I don't get how some people consider *barf* Soulja Boy the greatest out but if that entertains them then who am I to tell them what to enjoy? Besides, there is so much variety in rap that there is something for literally everyone.

I don't think its splitting anything up due to the fact that we have categories for a reason. "Artists" such as Soulja Boy would never fall into the category of being a hip hop artist, IMO. The media tends to throw the word hiphop around nowadays and pretty much label everything they see as such, therefore the meaning becomes distorted and watered down.

"All MCs and lyricists are rappers...all rappers aren't MCs and/or lyricists."<-----Thats the difference.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Phrozen1ne

I don't think its splitting anything up due to the fact that we have categories for a reason. "Artists" such as Soulja Boy would never fall into the category of being a hip hop artist, IMO. The media tends to throw the word hiphop around nowadays and pretty much label everything they see as such, therefore the meaning becomes distorted and watered down.

"All MCs and lyricists are rappers...all rappers aren't MCs and/or lyricists."<-----Thats the difference.

LOL. Exactly. Go away Animate.

Since Animate used Soulja Boy: The opinion of children (Soulja Boy's fans are children--adults may dance to him but they usually aren't the ones buying the music) doesn't matter. No one who knows about hip hop and even rap will ever call Soulja Boy anything more than a rapping artist who is an opportunist who makes catchy tunes. No one would call Soulja Boy an emcee or a lyricist. He probably wouldn't consider himself an emcee or a lyricist.

I remember the LL Cool J and Kid N Play songs that I used to listen to as I got ready to catch the bus as a kid. If you actually listen to their lyrics and flows, LL and Kid N Play had tight lyrics (especially on the tracks that weren't released as singles) and they were also able to move the crowd. There are levels of lyricism with the lowest level being someone who is just a rapper. Biz Markie, as awesome of a DJ as he is, is just a rapper. Snoop Dogg is just a rapper. LOL. In fact, all of NWA were just rappers with exception for Ice Cube when he went solo. I don't think NWA would deny that they were just rappers with a message...of Ns With Attitutudes. LOL.

Notice that I tend to only talk about older emcees because I don't keep up with the nonsense the kids listen to today. Drake who? LOL. I sound like my parents when they hated what we used to listen to.