Last night on Twitter was LIT. Meek Mill was throwing all kinds of shots at all kinds of folks for one reason or another. Some people think it’s because Drake didn’t Tweet out Meek’s album. Then Meek countered that he didn’t tweet it out because Meek and company found out he didn’t write his verse on “R.I.C.O.”
There are several ideas at play here. First, does it even matter if Drake wrote that verse on “R.I.C.O.” or if he has ghost writers in general? Second, is Meek telling the truth in making it seem like whole songs are not written by the Toronto emcee? Third, will Hip Hop ever get over its obsession with people writing their own lyrics? Regardless we’ll try to nail down the first question at play here.
So, Does It Matter If Drake Writes His Own Lyrics Or Not?
Andre: Last night on Twitter played out like some kind of Greek tragedy. Meek, the outspoken Philly emcee and rapper vying for the title of “realest motherfucker alive” may or may not have gotten in his feelings over Drake not tweeting out and promoting his album Dreams Worth More Than Money. Like it or not, artists know what’s being spoken about them on the micro level now, and it seemed Meek was peeved that whispers about how he did 218K in the first week were overshadowing the best work of his career. Cut to Twitter, where a series of Tweets lit up the rap-o-sphere as he blurted out these strong words, “Stop comparing drake to me too…. He don’t write his own raps! That’s why he ain’t tweet my album because we found out!” A, yo! Now, anyone who checks credits knows that not all the words spit by their favorite emcee are their own. We also know that no other genre has to deal with Hip Hop’s unspoken manifesto of first person narratives written by the one who lived them. Not Pop or R&B. And certainly not Rock (in all its iterations). So what’s so special about Hip Hop? Why does it matter?
Hip Hop is many many things. It’s part journalism in the way that it speaks truth to power. It’s part dance music and it’s part activism. Of course, it’s all entertainment and some of it is actual art. Better still, depending on the skill level of the artist, some songs are all of these things at the same time. It is an extraordinary creation. And, so, we put it on a pedestal in a way we don’t for other form of music. Its instrumentation and appropriation (sampling either of voice or music) is a distinct aspect of its DNA. And those ribosomes carry the legacy of an art form that took music back to the drum, which had been so long excluded as base and savage. So, with that in mind, writing your own lyrics is a tightly held mythology surrounding the form, whether or not it is actually practiced by the people who create the music we love. So my answer is two-fold. Yes, it does matter if Drake is writing his own lyrics because authorship is an important part of Hip Hop. A part of Hip Hop that I would like to see retain its level of exclusivity. And, no, it does not matter as much as we think it does. There are parts of Hip Hop, and all of them reference something. The production is in reference to something, and the flows, melodies and tacardian virile performances are in reference to something as well. In that way, being an author matters. But being a showman also matters. The voice matters, as well, and performing matters. Being a creator matters. But it’s not a ghostwriter when that person is credited for their work. And if it’s not a secret (have you seen Kanye West’s writing credits on albums?) then you can’t call it a ghostwrite. Perhaps it’s time for Hip Hop to let go of the mythology of the sole author, but not just yet. Lines like Kendrick Lamar’s on “King Kunta” are much too fun. But one thing’s for sure, Drake certainly does have “a lot of enemies.”
Ural: Hip Hop has changed for better or worse depending on who one ask. For some, it’s intricate bars on beats. Others, simple hooks and bass heavy production. Then there are people who exist in-between. In Meek Mills and Drake’s case, this is yet again another argument between rap purest vs. rap progressives. There was an interview done a while back where Minaj mentioned the Philly native reminded her of DMX because of how street he was. For a while now, it’s served as a double edged sword in regards to Milly. Clearly, it’s allowed him to not only make some of the best music of his career so far, spit some of the grimmest bars an artist in his position has been allowed and those various freestyles leading up to Dreams Worth More Than Money have been nothing short of breathtaking. Then again, that same raw spirit hasn’t served him well; especially on social media. Pointing to last night’s series of post where Mill alleged Drake doesn’t write his own rhymes. And yes, that’s a huge allegation for one of Hip Hop’s biggest artists of this generation. Then again, there are people who are going to take this very seriously. Others simply aren’t going to care much. There’s a level in the pop stratosphere where the technicals of creating music don’t matter. This is pretty much across the board, regardless of genre. You’d be pressed to find anyone within the mainstream buying public who actually cares about the actual creation of music unless there’s drama or controversy involved. Add how much music is released every moment and the art of creating music becoming secondary to how disposable things are.
Within the walls of Hip Hop’s core, maybe, just maybe writing one’s own lyrics matter. There’s a investment, level of intimacy and level of individualized style that’s always expected. Keeping it real has always been the notion. Makes sense as to how someone could argue whether or not someone like Fetty Wap, Lil Wayne, Drake and Young Thug is Hip Hop. It’s a revolving cycle getting more complex and complex as the years go on. This is all a matter of perspective and expectations. In Drake’s case, can he be called the best rapper of this generation by many and not write his own rhymes? For those traditionalist, a hard pill to swallow. Everyone else; like those who at one time called Iggy Azalea the queen of Hip Hop(despite sounding utterly ridiculous) even though Skeme outed himself as a ghostwriter, may feel completely different. Even the term ghost writer or writer has become murky in this conversation. Is anyone talking bars, lines, hooks, complete verses and complete songs? For example: Kanye West’s “New Slaves” had over ten writers involved. Did the Yeezus single become any less powerful or artistically great? This all depends on preference. This isn’t the first time Hip Hop has questioned Drake’s credibility as an emcee. Remember Drake’s Blackberry problem on Hot 97? Did it hurt him? Nah! Then why did Troy Ave get so much flack when he was caught on Sway? Could mean there’s eventually a point in which one rises to the top of popularity and the foundation doesn’t commercially matter? Who knows? Right now, even the rumors aren’t hurting him right now and people are still anticipating Views From The 6.
Andre Grant is an NYC native turned L.A. transplant that has contributed to a few different properties on the web and is now the Features Editor for HipHopDX. He’s also trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot. Follow him on Twitter @drejones.
Ural Garrett is a Los Angeles-based journalist and HipHopDX’s Senior Features Writer. When not covering music, video games, films and the community at large, he’s in the kitchen baking like Anita. Follow him on Twitter @Uralg.
I enjoy Meek Mill and thought his new album was dope. It’s just weird to fire shots at Drake when he assisted him on his biggest single to date – “Amen.” Many artists work in collaboration with others. It doesn’t mean they are not writing the lyrics. Drake has already admitted in the past that has worked in collaboration with The Weeknd. It doesn’t mean that Drake isn’t putting out great music. The truth is we have no idea who is writing what with any artist. Maybe Meek should work in collaboration to expand his subject matter. That might take him from dope to great. Drake is already great…Jealously is strong emotion and it’s probably best that Meek just stay in his lane.
BOTTOM LINE…i aint heard DRAKE FREESTYLE…thisHIP HOP BITCH,…
I guess to the “casual” listeners and fans it doesnt matter. But… Drake cant ever be mentioned on any “MTv top 30 MC” or “BET” top list or any top list. You need to write your own lyrics in order to get the honor of being mentioned on “MC top list”.
Kanye is the same, but at least he tells you: “I have 6 writers doing one song”
Preach.
This is silly. Everyone gets help
He didn’t write his verse for his “Where Ya At” feature with Future on the Dirty Sprite 2 album either, at least according to the CD liner notes.
For real though, you cant say you’re the best rapper alive if you dont compose 95% of your bars.. A lot of dudes will be like, why dont you say this line instead, or say it like this cadence instead.. But when you have full 16’s hell even 8 bars written for you in a given song, im sorry under no circumstance are you the best rapper alive… Drake is a great “artist”, not spitter
Rap music is garbage. I hope rappers all die.
Lol go to heaven… pig
Troll
Since the dawn of the Hip-Hop age, biting or in this case having a ghostwriter is the #1 sin an MC could commit. Sure you can use ghost writers all you want, but please don’t compare yourself to one of the greats, ever!
It does matter because what else does a pure rapper have? They don’t play instruments, sing, produce, or arrange. If they are no longer writing ,then its just some dude or chick reading lyrics. In drakes case-and Kanyes as well- they do more than rap that the writing shortcomings are offset.
Lol its not like Drake makes extremely lyrical content or is a hardcore gangsta rapper. I like Drake but for the type of rap he puts out its not surprising at all that he doesnt write his music.
HipHopDX has never been a hip hop site, it is a rap site.
Once thatsaid, I feeld the need to comment that a site that pretend to make us belive that is a hip hop site that and brings this conversation to the table is a disgrace for the hip hop & rap music.
Nowadays 70% of the kids can rap with a nice flow, what makes the differences is those who can get a nice flow and write their own lyrics. If you don’t write ur lyrics u are a pupper
It should matter but the truth is the “average” fan doesn’t even listen to lyrics, just the beat. Honestly most of the folks can hardly spell or read. Look at twitter or ig.
Smh, I knew the guy was phony after his “freestyle” on hot 97, hip hop/rap is a joke now. So if someone making the beats, hooks and even writing the bars then what are you doing? other than your voice, image and someone’s finances and marketing.
Ghost writing has been apart of hip hop for the longest. BIG even had stuff ghost written for him. The topic is bittersweet honestly, but at the end of the day nobody is a fan of the person, they are a fan of the art, and if what we love is not coming from who we think it comes from, that’s when respect is lost.
So What if he doesn’t write.. hes one of tge biggest artistes of all time..This is what happens when a hood nigga comes across some money.. they automatically act like they r richer and smartwr than everyone..Jigga doesnt write kanye 2 and 99 percent of r n b n pop artistes..
Meek said on Dreamchasers 3: ‘Paid for the flow I don’t write my shit’. That’s actually a fact.
First time I’ve ever been compelled to comment on here…. You’re God damn, motherfuckin right it matters! If Drake was one of the Migos, Soulja Boy, Rae Sremmurd types only concerned with radio play or club and trunk bangers… Then naw, not nearly or as much at all. But when you’re constantly gassin yourself up as not only one of the best lyricists/Emcees in the game right now, but of all-time… You had better be writing your own rhymes. Especially when the content is the same, no substance, charmin soft shit he pushes out on the regular. Will it ultimately affect his record sales or popularity? Probably not, people are sheep… But in the real rap world… For those who respect and appreciate genuine bars, legit, true to life back stories and get touched by the content… You. God. Damn. Motherfuckin. Right. It does…
You said that bro! This was the dumbest article and a real slap to the face of REAL rap fans everywhere. “Does it matter????” …Give me a break.
Check out Joseline Hernandez “La Negra” video if you wanna see bars and a hook
Does anyone actually take Meek Mills Seriously though ? I mean this is a dude that is signed to a CO….it’s sad and pathetic to think that people actually like Meek Mills …dude screams at the top of his lungs with mediocre bars …top that with street cred and bam you got a rapper that we think is he realest in the “game” yea ok …I’m not a Drake fan but he has appeal to most sides of hip hop fans ..Meek Mills is the equivalent of a poor mans Memphis Bleek ..In all honesty watch the fight be over Nicki receiving text messages from Aubrey and Meek being butthurt bwahahaha!!!
I mean, everyone knows Lil Wayne had a ghost writer. And Nikki doesn’t write her own lyrics. So if Drake doesn’t write his own lyrics, I wouldn’t exactly be SHOCKED… Y’all don’t think Kanye West has a ghost writer? Y’all better believe it. In the mainstream, less and less rappers have been writing their own lyrics for the longest.
You don’t need to have that much talent to succeed these days. It’s a dumbed down art form that reflects a dumbed down society that talk in acronyms and abbreviations. It’s simple music these days. These guys not writing isn’t something that should be shocking.
Nikki Writes all her bars (AKA Verses). Ester Dean who wrote the the super bass hook, and a lot of other hooks for many pop stars even said Nicki writes all her bars.
Aye I’m a drake fan, but first off there IS a huge difference between a writer and a ghostwriter…and it DOES matter…writers are credited, ghostwriters arent…why you ask? Because ghostwriters write things for artists that the artist (such as drake), use to gain recognition under the belief it is written by them exclusively, like say, “The Language” (Kendrick Lamar Sneak Diss) which has an amazing line to start off “I don’t know why they lyin/ but yo sh*t is not that inspring” wasn’t written by drake? But he was just credited as a writer because of his power, money, and resources that allowed him to bring these ghostwriters (often producers as well) together..What if some of Yours or My favorite drake punchlines like “if I was in the club you know I balled, kimo” weren’t actually him? It wouldn’t matter if it were …saaay, wiz khalifa, because wiz’ persona is that of a potheadrocker…Unlike Drake’s who has been involved in multiple hiphop “beefs” and tries to play that Jay Z role…WELL guess what Jay Z has the respect along with success because of his realness and being known as a true writer..Put it this way, what if Resonable Doubt was only 10% jay z writing…but due to money and influence his name was the only one across the whole album…now tell me a ghostwriter doesn’t matter
See what you HIPHOPDX writers don’t get is Hiphop isn’t like any other genre because it’s not only a genre, it’s a way of life…a culture..that mixes goods and bads of every genre to make something new while still paying tribute to the original…Yall should be ashamed of yourself for allowing his INFLUENCE to convince you that this doesn’t matter.
I’m done coming to this website.
Peace.
I agree 100% with you my G. I couldn’t say it any better myself
MANNNNNNNNNN you on point
The only problem is that Jay Z uses credited writers all the time, more in fact then Drake.
But your going to give Jay Z a pass and say he’s real but Drake isn’t?
s the worst. Drake is not a emcee and Meek Mill is not a emcee. They are 2 different rappers.the lane drake or meek mill are in doesn’t even matter because of the low standards in commercial artist. Meek mill is getting worse acting like a bitch. He should focus his beef with Joe budden and give the fans what they won’t (showing his lyrical skills) but he already know budden would end his career so he looking for a weaker opponents to battle.
Nope. It doesn’t matter. Drake is like the Bank of America of hip hop, he’s too big to fail. He may lose respect from people in hip hop but the mainstream loves him too much to let him go down because of a ghostwriter.
Yes it fuckin matters! This isn’t R &Fuckin B
Hell yea it matters cause they callin him the best out even got his lyrics on sprite cans wit rakim biggie and nas smfh fuck drake i mean fake lmfao
fuck u meek
LOL .. Who Cares .. This is what happens when there is ” No Rules” This culture(Hip Hop ) has no real system of operation. It changes based on Majority. So your job as an artist is to sway the majority ..”Fuck talent” .Just play an attorney with fans and you got-em ..ha ha
so fucking hilarious how most “old skool” hiphop heads ridicule Drake’s lyrical abilities and now suddenly attribute his “great talent” to someone else. most of you anti-Drake guys wholepoint was that Drake had no “talent” or lyrical ability whatsoever anyways – ghostwriter or non-ghostwriter, right? so what difference would a “shitty ghostwriter” make then? As far as the writing credit, dont act like Meek Mill didnt totally exagerrate claiming Drake does not write his own shit. Its nuts. Drake surely writes most of his shit. Totally absurb how flex playing 10 bands as if its some big revelation and proves Drake a fraud. the quenten kid may have wrote the intro/hook for that, sure, but who cares? he was credited. Drake has probably 80-100 songs better than that one without this kids name anywhere.
Isn’t it strange that a HipHop site would even tell us to go away from the traditional values of HipHop? Isn’t that the reason people still HipHop is dead now? This is just disrespectful
Do y’all not understand that even if someone says 2 words they get writing credits? If you happen to be in the studio while someone is recording and make 1 suggestion you get writing credits. Please tell me how Drake can get in lawsuits with his ex’s or how people say he is too soft because he is so personal but he doesn’t write his own lyrics? People are barely writing there own courses or hooks man, come on. Show me an album of someone that doesn’t show writing credits and I’ll show you someone who doesn’t write their lyrics at all.
The fact that this is an actual question shows the sad state of hip hop. An emcee claiming to be an emcee but doesn’t write their own shit is lame as fuck.
At least with dudes like Dre, they don’t try to pretend they write their own shit.
Hell yeah it matters. ” I gave these N’s the look, the verse, then the hook, that’s why every song sound like Drake featuring Drake”. I don’t like fake sh*t but I need more proof before I can believe the rumor.
How can this guy be a ghostwriter, if he was credited on the tracks?
Then 99% of Jay Z songs have ghostwriters on them..
Drake shouldnt be named in the same breath as Jay. You dumb shit! Jay makes music and made it for a very long time. Drake hires people to make him seem skilled. Its sad! What is even sadder is the fact that this site is actually saying it’s time to allow hiphop artist to use ghostwriters like it should be the norm. Nah brother that sounds fucked to me. I like real shit! Doesnt have to be bang bang, kill kill but if you want a following you need to make your own body of work. This is why hiphop sucks now.
@DaTruth
Sorry, if the the actually truth hurts but Jay Z has had way more credited writers on his tracks than Drake but Jay gets a pass in your book.
You make no sense.
This is pretty simple. For the people who dont really listen to the lyrics and arent part of this culture, no it doesnt matter. For example Young Thug on that Lifestyle track…wtf was he even saying? Does it matter to people who liked that song? No. They liked the melody or whatever. To the casual listener it probably doesnt matter. However, on the flip side for someone like me who has Hip Hop in his DNA and who considers hip hop the greatest form of expression, this isnt even a question. Most rappers today dont really have bars, cant freestyle, dont live what they rap about, bite another rappers style and delivery (Action Bronson lol), copy whats “hot” etc (NY rappers have to sound like they’re from the south). The next progression (actually decline) is for a rapper to not even write his own rhymes anymore. The art form is done at that point. The last remaining leg. The artist that has had the greatest impact on this culture around the world, Tupac Shakur (this is a fact, regardless of who your favorite artist is) made the world feel him by putting his soul in his music. HIS words, HIS life experiences, HIS pain, HIS anger, HIS joy etc. Could you imagine if someone else wrote Pac’s rhymes? I’ts unfathomable…He leaves no legacy…the soul is destroyed. This wouldnt have even been a debatable topic years ago. Think about what this has come to. Peace