A few unsurprising things happened on Logic’s and Eminem’s “Homicide.” If you’re unfamiliar, the song from Logic’s Confessions of a Dangerous Mind recently dropped to the unbridled joy of both purists and basement dwellers who use rappity-rap to assert faux superiority over others in society.
For one, Logic and Em rapped their asses off. On second thought, the song was next up in a long line of ho-hum joints that do little more than lambast the current rap scene, albeit in a technically impressive way.
But by committing lyrical murders on wax, Logic and Em are part of the backpacker crowd Hip Hop’s bar by making it about inferior music.
They’re not wrong; a sizable chunk of today’s Hip Hop sucks. Mumble rap remains largely subpar. The ire of studious lyricists like Bobby Tarantino and Slim Shady at the current crop of rappers getting shine is understandable. And, it’s not simply a generational gap, as Justin Bieber would have people believe.
And yet, we’ve heard all this before. Eminem spent much of Kamikaze going after underwhelming MCs, most notably on “Not Alike” featuring red-blooded lyricist Royce Da 5’9”. It was already played out then (Nas declared Hip Hop “dead” for a lack of creativity and lyricism way back in 2006) and Logic and Marshall are beating a dead horse by bemoaning the state of rap. “And I dare you to test me/’Cause not a single one of you motherfuckers impress me/And maybe that’s a little bit of an exaggeration/But I’m full of innovation,” Logic spits.
Ironically, there’s nothing innovative about this track. It wouldn’t be fair to single out Logic and Eminem, because there are a host of “I’m so lyrical” MCs who seem to think that being better than wack MCs, or rather, rapping about being better than wack MCs, makes for great music. In reality, all this flexing and complaining does is lower Hip Hop’s bar, because great lyricism used to only be half the battle. Once upon a time, Eminem was lauded for his storytelling, biting social commentary and unapologetic wit delivered through mind-bending bars. If the focus has shifted to dwelling on inferior rap, we’re missing out on components that helped make Hip Hop the No. 1 genre in the world.
To be fair, Logic is still well known for his honesty and integrity on the mic. Still, he’s detracting from his artistry with “Homicide.” Bars spent crying about the state of rap are a waste of breath. Don’t like the state of Hip Hop? Do what Kendrick Lamar does, and raise the bar with brilliant storytelling and outstanding concepts. And no matter how one feels about J. Cole’s production, one can’t deny how thought-provoking his floetry is.
The old adage of “be the change you want to see in the world” applies here. If rappers are tired of the status quo, they should raise up Hip Hop rather than spend so much time putting it down.
Because as much as purists want this approach to be effective, it still didn’t prevent Haiti Babii from going viral.
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“Don’t like the state of Hip Hop? Do what Kendrick Lamar does, and raise the bar with brilliant storytelling and outstanding concepts. And no matter how one feels about J. Cole’s production, one can’t deny how thought-provoking his floetry is.”
I would have to disagree with this statement, I personally believe that you raise the bar by challenging the weak and having them improve. The problem with Hip Hop at the moment is not the content, we have many artists that are releasing thought provoking music that is not mainstream. The real issue is how mumble rap has been catapulted to the forefront of hip hop, where artists with close to zero talent are seen as the face of this new generation. Hip hop is one of the only genres of music that is also closely compared to a sport and there is absolutely nothing wrong with challenging the next rapper and having them up their game.
what if the “weak” don’t take the challenge and get platinum records instead?
Then they have weak music and a trinket…
And they disappear as quickly as they come up, being a slave is a choice in modern society!
Wise words bro
Everything RUTHLESS said…..
As for you Aaron (said A A Ron-Keegan Michael Key voice) McKrell ….You need to learn how NOT to telegraph your punches bro. Your 1st paragraph alone told me everything I need to know about your mediocre ‘New Boy’ opinions on this HipHop; you’re just another one of these ‘ Urban’ website keyboard hacks that doesn’t really respect the Artform so you parrot back the Vulture party line and use “ Purist “ and “ Backpacker “ like an insult or slur. Cool Story bro!
Lmao that freestyle makes Riff Raff on Sway look amazing!
Tom MacDonald is a great upcoming rapper
Idiots write for this website. Not every song has to be a story. Em dropped Bad Guy which is a story, who cares. He’s still the greatest alive
Truth is, no one can write and flow like EM. We already have Migos and Gucci Mane to make every present rap song sound the same.
Eminem is music for autists who are stuck in 2000
Being an “autist” is irrelevant. Autism is irrelevant. It is a neurological disorder, ig has naught to do with music taste or taste for Eminem’s music. And I say this as fact, liking Eminem’s music doesn’t make one an “autist.” Some like it. Some don’t. As I said, it has nothing to do with autism. But what makes you think that? Or are you just an impulsive imbecile spewing pseudoscientific horsehit? Autism is a neurological disorder, but perhaps believing that liking Eminem’s music is equivalent to be an autist is the symptom of a neurological disorder. It’s abnormal thinking, despite the fact that many humans use unrelated terminology to associate with their damnable opinions.
And remember, good, empirical science is the foundation for every civilization. We’d be savages without it. Filthy savages.
Some people think humanity is devolving. But really, it’s just that most humans aren’t that evolved. And neither are you.
Na man you might be autistic
So if you’re a lyricist, but you don’t spit stories and metaphors driven by political and social commentary, you’re lowering the bar in rap?
Tell that bullshit to Redman, Method Man, Big Boi, Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, Curren$y, Freddie Gibbs, Apathy, Czarface, Benny The Butcher, Vinnie Paz, Celph Titled, Xzibit, B-Real, Busta Rhymes, Twista, Styles P, Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, Dave East, Chino XL, I can keep going.
Lauded for his biting social commentary?? Bullshit he was protested by Gay and Lesbian alliance , domestic abuse shelters and plenty more he then switched to being faux woke now that’s why a lot of his old fans don’t like him no more.
I clicked this and was pleasantly surprised they used Kendrick as an example of raising the bar. He’s my G.O.A.T. Hell yeah.
This article is bullshit! What a way to downplay some of the best lyricist around, only to glorify your own agenda to gullible, millennial sheeple. This article is helping to destroy Hip-Hop!
Millenials grew up on 90s to early 2000s hip hop. It sounds like you might have some of your facts confused. I think you’re looking for Gen Z…the 25 and under crowd. Millenials are the 26-40 year old crowd.
You are incorrect
Absolutely moronic post. You used ‘Homicide’ as an examples of Em and Logic talking down on inferior rappers meanwhile they get flak all the fucking time from idiots who think mumble rap is actually superior. THEN you take the first half of a fucking bar and base this entire article off that?
“And I dare you to test me/’Cause not a single one of you motherfuckers impress me/And maybe that’s a little bit of an exaggeration/But I’m full of innovation,” Logic spits.”
Yeah let’s just completely ignore the rest of this verse where logic says “And I’m tired of all this high school he’s cool he’s not rap shit/Can anyone of you motherfuckers even rap, shit/ and no this IS NOT A DISS TO THE GAME it’s a GAS TO THE FLAME”. He literally states exactly what the fucking idiot who wrote this garbage says that artists should be doing. The song isn’t dissing anyone it’s a challenge. How you could be so braindead to miss that is unbelievable. Delete this fucking garbage post.
Your spot on bruh. Spot on. Article had 0 objectivity.
Fuck you…homicide was dope…em and logic rap better than any of these mumble rappers…mumble rap shouldn’t just be a genre…it should be a whole different type of music as a whole…and the writer of this article is retarded
That’s what a genre is – a whole different type of music. Lmao wtf?
Homicide is by far the best track on the album though. The rest of the album is filled with “I’m rich, I’m the best, I’m biracial, Im rich” and that’s literally it. He doesnt even do it in creative ways, its poorly constructed trap music, with little to no effort.
You obviously didn’t listen very close. I suggest you listen to it again. Maybe slow it down and read what’s being said, because its obviously to quick or complex for you to understand at normal speed. There is so much more to the album than the shit you think is being said. I personally enjoyed the twist on the modern flows. It shows that you can take these garbage “mumble” rappers styles and flows, and build on their crumbling foundation of what they believe is quality music.
Aaron McKrell I think your plan backfired!
Aaron McKrell coming from battle rapper you are! Stop the trolling and go get a WaWa hoagie…
By far the worst fucking opinion piece that I’ve seen on this site. Lyrical superiority has been a defining aspect of hip hop since its inception. You can go all the way back to ’81 when Kool Moe Dee ended disco rap by destroying Busy Bee in a battle, or even ’83 when Run-DMC put out “Sucker MC’s”. The lyrical bar was clearly raised after that, which flies right in the face of your theory.
Is this guy really talking about the change we need in hip hop is for the hyenas to stop calling out whack MCs? Haha what a time to be alive
OMG… Worst rapper alive… Even the worst rapper is better than this rapper… I never even heard of this dude… This just goes to show anybody can be famous these days.
Sites posting just anybody’s music is what’s lowering the bar. Dudes used to get called out for paying dj’s, but today it’s like you don’t even have to pay a site. They’re out whoring themselves for free. #smuts
Well said
Yeah, Jay-Z lowered the bar when he went at Nas. East and west coast lowered the nar when they talked shit about each other. Let’s just let the morons say biggie and pac weren’t that good and that being lyrical is bullshit, that will help hip hop. You’re either a fool or you just want clicks. I know it is cool to hate on Eminem these days but damn you’re reaching, trying hard to get on the good side of your black colleagues.
Nah, they demolished that track. Talking shit about wack rappers is better music than these wack ass rappers mumbling like uneducated idiots.
Real MC’s attacking whack rappers has always been apart of hiphop culture. This generation of hiphop is so whack that a supposed hiphop site is calling out the real MC’s for doing that. Damn times have changed. Think I’m done with this site!
So wait rap isn’t about dissing? Have you seen a rap battle? Have you heard Tupac and biggie feud? What era did you grow up in? Old heads gonna listen to em and logic over anything out now because this is roots. I just don’t get how it’s even an issue.
Two lyricist killing a beat. That’s all I heard. They took time out to write bars and switch up their flows effortlessly. So what they keep trying to prove themselves and keep saying the state of rap music sucks. If you genuinely feel the track is whack just say it but if you’re reaching for a bullshit justification to not like it even when you know it’s good, slap yourself.
Bs—they tore that shit up. Bs article. Who’s writing this ??? You obviously know nothing about this so don’t speak on it.
God, whoever wrote this article must have an unfathomably low IQ. Must be a Takashi 69 fan.
You don’t know hip hop, hip hop is about being better then the next, you get stupid people out there destroying music and they are trying to bring it bake to what it should be, find your self a. Brain, Yelawolf , Eminem, Joyner and logic 59 all have been going at them, you also got a retarded ass album from mgk that was just trying to follow mumble rap, he sold out and no one should ever buy mgks shit for just trying to put out what’s cool to others and not sticking by his roots
Hip-Hop is all about flexing and shit talkin, its always been that way! Crew vs crew, city vs city.
Hahah your just hating because eminem and logic can out rap anybody today. all these little kids mumbling their way through the charts cant handle it because they are entitled snowflakes. Mainstream top of the charts rap is dead yes, because mumble idiots have killed it. Rap is still very much alive it just doesnt make it to top forty anymore because of these little entitled brats.
Article is obviously trolling, bravo on riling people up for attention with this troll
How would that lower the bar when mumbel rap layed it on the ground
Eminem has been a relevant top 3 artist and the highest selling rap artist for the last 20years he can and deserves 2 rap about wat ever he want 2 rap about
Whoever wrote this, stop. I got annoyed halfway through but , to continue reading. Horrible article and waste of my time.
How did I know this was going to be written by Aaron McKrell? Get better writers, god damn.
I will, however, agree that the song was meh at best. But what did you expect? It’s Logic. But the song wasn’t wack for the reasons in this article. For example: “seem to think that being better than wack MCs, or rather, rapping about being better than wack MCs, makes for great music. In reality, all this flexing and complaining does is lower Hip Hop’s bar, because great lyricism used to only be half the battle” Rappers have been rapping about being the best, or rapping about other rappers being wack since hip hop started. That style of rapping has been in vogue since the 80’s and never really went out of fashion. Sure, it isn’t innovative, but the reason the song sucks is that the writing is corny.
Eminem got better and better technically, but worse at making entertaining music. Logic, to me, is like new Em without all the dope shit that Em used to make. Sounds like two nerds making fun of the cool kids, but thinking they’re the cool kids at the same time.
Your opinion sucks.
I’d rather listen to rappity-rap, then rappers crying about how difficult their life is. Social commentary doesn’t interest me, but maybe that’s because I don’t live in the US and couldn’t care less about its social problems. I do respect Kendrick, and I loved Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and Damn, but the social commentary on TBAP was just too much for me. Yes, I still won’t say that it isn’t his best album, but I don’t listen to it that often. “Homicide” was great for its rhyme schemes and the energy. I liked the lyricism even if it was shallow. I’d rather listen to that. I prefer Big Daddy Kane to Public Enemy or even Chino XL to Immortal Technique. I loved Masta Ace and his concept albums but they were actually nice. I was never a fan of deep rap unless it’s done in a way that still keeps the lyricism and doesn’t take away the flow and such. If Kendrick rapped like Logic and still said deep shit, that’s when I’d listen to it with more pleasure. More rethorical lyricism, more complex rhyme schemes and then great subject matter as an addition. I guess my tastes deviate from the majority but I still respect the artists that don’t fit in that category of rap that I enjoy though. No need to be hater.
For 1 the current rap scene it’s horrendous completely trash. U have a few that are on par with the vets
Yeah I liked Logic’s last album, but this shit was underwhelming for me.
Is it me or is Aaron Williams and Aaron Mckrell the same person cause how can two different people on two different hip-hop sites write the same shitty article
You don’t understand hip hop stick with little pump and shut the fuck up
Just like the battle, talking shit about weaker lyricists is a hip hop trope that has been part of it for at least 30 years. To pretend that Em and Logic have lowered the bar is silly. They are holding the same bar that KRS, Masta Ace, Lauryn Hill, Dead Prez, Goodie Mob and dozens of others have held for years. If you want to just complain it is a tired trope that should go away, that is a little more legit than complaining about these two or anyone else lowering some bar by working in a well worn hip hop cliche.
Who ever wrote this article, doesn’t know shit about rap. All I have to say.
Eminem so. Damn sexy
Boasting by saying your better than x,y,z is all over hip hop. Whether it’s with lyrical rappers or mumble rappers it’s been there. Dumb point. I don’t think saying your lyrical means you make better music. It just means I’m better than you when it comes to rapping. That’s the point. It’s not innovative but it doesn’t lower the bar.
The irony this article is dripping in is delicious.
Homicide doesn’t lower the bar. How can the bar be lowered when one doesn’t exist. Em and Logic kill it.
Been down without hip hop, Rap since it began and i love this jam. And i agree these mumble rappers suck hard core. When REAL rappers like Em, logic bust some like beats that make you move and some like to hear listen to what’s they have to say. I love BOTH. So to me this guys opinion that they are “beating a dead horse ” obviously don’t know shit about hip hop
You’re a clown! Lowered the bar? You know nothing about rap.
ima put it like this em got talent , he’s been there,done that,and still gonna be doing it tomorrow, but don’t feel like there is no more room for you because haters are a part of IT.REAL-TALK!
New rap is weak. This jam by Em and Logic is what i needed to hear. I miss older style rap
Ok so I get that they are saying some of the same things that others have said in their songs, but at the same time nothing is being done. It’s actually getting worse. So what’s wrong with someone reiterating the point. Is it wrong to think that 2 of the best are trying to make an effort to bring light to the sad industry it’s become. Since the other before didn’t seem to make much of an impact maybe the likes of logic and Eminem can make positive waves and aspire change. A standard need to be set. Just because the industry can take literally whoever regardless of talent and make tons of money off of a bunch of crap written in 5 minutes, doesn’t mean we should accept it. People tend to forget that we are the ones that make this shit popular. If it didn’t make money, they wouldn’t be cramming this bullshit down our throat left and right. Sure the industry cheats a bit by controlling what plays on the radio, but don’t forget that the power is on our hands
The problem with his is that its not a new sentiment. Its that the people that gripe on mumble rap are putting out mediocre music themselves. Nas put out Hip Hop is Dead 13 years ago. We’ve heard it. That’s the “problem with re-iterating the point.” The point has been beat to death for well over a decade. We get it, a lot of popular rap sucks. Stop giving it attention and move on. Make better music if you think its so ass. A lot of rappers think that finding the most complex way of saying “I’m the best rapper” is what makes good music. If you spit complex bars that say nothing, you’re not doing better.
The problem with your statement is that an artist can only be “good” if the fans allow it. With Eminem you’ve got this weird thing going on where a majority will say his music is trash without listening to it. Same goes for those who will hear it, and refuse to like it, because it’s Eminem. He can’t make just music anymore. When he did, everyone shit on it without hearing it. He has to talk shit, or no one will listen.
First off, anyone who appreciates hip-hop, and it’s culture, should not give a flying f*ck what Justin Bieber thinks. That being said, with a few notable exceptions (Cole, Kendrick) most of today’s mumble trap rappers are lacking bars, story telling, concept, and social commentary and everything else that makes an artist, as you put it. Old rappers did raise up hip-hop, only to watch this generation dumb it down. We get it, you don’t like Em. Find something else to complain about. It’s a sad day when legit artists, get accused of putting down hip-hop.
Very Simple…Their NOT lowering their PROTECTING the true form of Hip hop music!
What a Ridiculous article to put on a supposed hip hop site…
This article is retarded lol Em & Logic murdered that joint
This article some bullshit
What’s almost as bad as mumble dirt rappers is this article.
Decent track but this article was right. Write about concepts. Rapping about rapping is hollow af
It would if there were no bars…but there were.
The only thing I disagree about, is that when Eminem released an album not talking shit, no one wanted to hear it. Now that he is talking shit, everyone wants him to talk about something else. It’s not Eminem that’s falling off, it’s the fans. He’s talking shit about mumble rap, because so many untalented losers are getting famous making the same incomprehensible thing on repeat, causing those actually talented, like Joyner, to not get the recognition deserved.
A retard wrote this article
He sounds like a stereotypical millennial trying to sound smart
Exactly. Let’s try to dumb down mc’s because we don’t have any type of skills whatsoever. And if we can get people to agree that being lyrical is stupid. Then we can fit our ignorant self’s into the mix and get the respect that we think we deserve however we have never earned
“Rappers Are Actually LOWERING The Bar Griping Over Inferior Hip Hop”
How?????? What the fuck?! I thought the crappy rappers lowered the bar. We live in a backwards world.
You’ve Got to be kidding Me!? “Rappers are LOWERING-THE-BAR Griping over INFERIOR rappers”¿?¿ 1: They/Some CLAIM2BE the BEST RAPPER ALIVE (STORY-LANEZ), 2: They mention THEIR Names (The #GOAT, Marshall, or Others like LOGIC) Griping/Dissing/Calling-Them-Out IsNot LOWERING-THE-BAR, It’s giving a Much-Needed REALITY-☒ showing/Proving what REAL HipHop/Rap REALLY IS!!! The PRESENTATION/CADENCE/DELIVERY containing MULTIPLE ENTENDRES WHILE HAVING MEANING BEHIND THE STORY THEIR TELLING, THE LYRICS THEIR SPITTIN……. ?️ YOUR DEFINITION & UNDERSTANDING of what your saying the MEANING IS behind THAT being done by The #GOAT is #TRASH/GARBAGE/INCORRECT! YOU NEED TO SIT DOWN & READ THE LYRICS WHILE THEIR TRAPPING IT TO #UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THEIR LYRUCS IN THIS TRACK; ?️ #GREATNESS
fuck this dudes opinion. he doesnt even rap.
#
white people rule hip hop!
REAL TALK some1 has to stop this b.s …. not on that gansta shit myself but there’s a code and its becoming the norm to roll on ur boys at the first sign of trouble getting face tatts and claiming facebook blood gang … some 1 has to stop this shit for the sake of humanity …. can’t lie is take Instagram beefs over street shit but come on
I think this guy is lowering the bar for journalism. That’s all I think about that.
Sometimes the lyrical rappers just make cypher songs where they display their ability to make words rhyme and drop clever metaphors, and in these songs they don’t usually have a common theme, they just talk about the typical rap topics, and rapping about how good you are at rapping has always been one of the most common topics for these songs. So if your point is that sticking to generic topics lowers the bar, you might have a point, but the same would have to apply to any rapper who still talks about guns, dope dealing, and rims. I don’t listen to Kendrick or J Cole, but I’d find it very hard to believe if either of them had never talked about how weak a lot of rappers are now.
Indeed. K dot has most definitely talked about weak rappers/rap in general. And JCole is the master of subliminal route.
This article made me face palm so hard my nose bone went into my brain.
mumble rap can have good lyrics you just listen more closely
i understand young thug completely now
I agree to some point. Sometimes the auto-tune or “ABC” delivery clouds the lyricism. It’s just that the more popular modern day artists talk about the same thing over and over again with no social commentary, or providing thought for food. They do a good job, but it gets tiring. Like, cool, we know you’re living that well deserved lifestyle. But what now?
it has a underground now i can go somewhere
it can go somewhere **
logic tried to be to good i think and it just sounded bad
he aint a master
Your opinion is of no importance. Must be a melanial
And you must be a dumb fuck who can’t spell millennial
Great article.
Do you remember when KRS ONE tried to battle Nelly? Same thing. It’s a supreme lyricist vs a club rapper. Of course KRS would mop the floor with him on wax, but……… Nelly out sold his ass 10 fold. Nobody likes and old man.
Hip hop is fucking dead
Shut yo skin tone chicken bone google chrome no home flip phone disowned ice cream cone garden gnome extra chromosome metronome dimmadome genome full blown monochrome student loan indiana jones overgrown flintstone x and y hormone friend zoned sylvester stallone sierra leone autozone professionally seen silver patrone head ass tf up
Who ever wrote this article is a mumble rap fan, what a load of hogwash
this whole article is a huge facepalm lmao.. whoever wrote it clearly is a mumble rap fan that gets upset when REAL RAPPERS diss their uneducated low IQ trash rappers… y’all need to stop promoting mumble rap. it sucks ass.
Hip Hop and Rap will always be two different things. Logic and Em can both rap but there music is also weak. Corny ass beats with no soul or hood in it. That has always been Ems problem. Hip Hip is dope as hell this yr lots of dope albums out, but as far as commercial Rap you get what you get. The shit is corny and trendy.
I’m lost….What was the point of this article again???
shut up idiot Shut yo skin tone chicken bone google chrome no home flip phone disowned ice cream cone garden gnome extra chromosome metronome dimmadome genome full blown monochrome student loan indiana jones overgrown flintstone x and y hormone friend zoned sylvester stallone sierra leone autozone professionally seen silver patrone head ass tf up
To say the song is trash is bullshit
Deal with it. Em and Logic destroyed modern garbage rap without even breaking a sweat. Kamikaze started a fire so hot that whether you’re an Em fan or not, you are getting roasted. How much longer can you fake news 20 something ‘critics’ (Bahahaha) keep attempting to stem the tide? I know you’re butts are still sore from Em’s ad taking down the ‘critics’ But guess what? NOt just the title track, but the sentiment of Kamikaze went VIRAL!!!! Lmfoa all damn day!
Just seeing this now. you are an cornball.
Hip Hop was always all about the better MC, it was built on battles and destroying the opponent. The problem I feel now is that because a lot of the new generation don’t value lyrics or punchlines they don’t have enough ammunition or care enough to get back at a diss. I’m pretty sure Lil Yachty said he was honoured to be dissed by Eminem, and to me that says the roots of hip hop are being lost on a lot of the new gen rappers (not all but a large majority) In saying that, I kind of agree that a song like this has been played out, if no one cares to challenge for the top spot what’s the point of calling them out? I too would rather see Em go back to the story telling style of the old days, with so much more going on in the world surely there’s better things to rap about than the fact they don’t like mumble rappers
Jesus this shit right here is THE VERY FUCKING REASON mumble rap is still breathing. Could you go down any harder on the mumble game? Ya need to wipe that shit off ya chin and make sure not to dribble when you talk coming off of mumble raps dick like that. Shit.