This year’s XXL Freshman class inspired plenty of criticism since many of its members are not known for their bars. That frustration became heightened with the release of the annual cyphers, which included a particularly bad one featuring Playboi Carti, XXXTENTACION, Ugly God and Madeintyo that did all four men no favors.
Of course, anyone calling out the poor performance was sure to be dismissed as a hater or grumpy old head. But in reality, this year’s class is mostly comprised of rappers who don’t have the skill set to participate in a traditional cypher. Trying to act like the entries were any good is more blind fandom than a simple difference in taste.
One of the critical voices was a complete shocker though. Lil Yachty, the main antagonist (or protagonist depending on who you ask) in the war over so-called mumble rap, said he wasn’t feeling the cyphers. In an interview with Hypebeast, the guy who mistook a cello for a woodwind instrument called BS on the 2017 cyphers.
“Of course my favorite is Ugly God. He’s my brother, but I love XXXTentacion, Playboi Carti and MADEINTYO,” he said when asked about the class. “I love Kamaiyah, she’s like my big sister. Actually, the whole class is fire. I feel like they bullshitted their cypher. I love the people though, they make great music.”
You read that right.
Lil Yachty said, “I feel like they bullshitted their cypher.”
Of course, the always happy Yachty buried his critique in effusive praise, but it was still shocking to read that even he felt the rhymes were wack.
The irony of the situation is rich though. Lil Boat was clearly “bullshitting” when he stepped into the cypher last year.
A strong start by Denzel Curry couldn’t prevent Yachty, Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage and Kodak Black from treating the whole exercise as a joke. They weren’t trying to make a statement or show off their rhyming abilities like past class members. The fun over everything approach was on full display. They had no interest in proving they could really spit because it didn’t matter to their actual fans.
The self-proclaimed king of teens has played an instrumental role in devaluing Hip Hop trademarks like the cypher. Bars mean less than ever before, as evident on Yachty’s debut album Teenage Emotions. If there’s one person that can’t be taken aback by the downward trend, it’s Lil Boat. As one of the most prominent figures in the influencing the unwritten standards of Hip Hop, Yachty can’t put that cork back in the bottle. He helped change the game, so he needs to be at peace with everything pouring out the top he popped.
Justin Ivey you have got to be the biggest hater I’ve ever read…write about stuff that you like because you come off as a douche otherwise.
He’s just telling the truth. All these guys are garbage when it comes to actually rapping. Lyrics don’t matter anymore, which is why these guys are on the cover of any magazine. Don’t do cyphers with ppl we know cannot rap please. I wish them all the success, just don’t try to convince me they are hip hop. They’re their own thing, but not hip hop.
My comments had nothing to do with the artist included. I’m just tired of dumbass headlines and a person trying to feed themselves solely off bashing people. There’s no place in Hip-Hop…we need journalist to be reporting on what’s going on good in Hip-Hop instead of focusing on negativity. Clearly something this guy doesn’t give two shits about.
Mastermind? this is a joke.. If people like Yachty and these freshmen take off rap is gonna fall off… It’s garbage no story, substance, feels empty. The artist that gain noriety are whack, respect that they trying. It’s still weak though their content is nonsense mumbling. Im gonna miss real hip hop rap, not the “new wave” of mumble or random word organization. Theres only so many greats left, and indie artist on the rise with lyrical skill and clarity…
The headline is sarcasm.
Theres plenty of greats ledt it just depends on who you follow. Obviously your following lil boat more that davon. That right look him up song called BEAUTIFUL DAY.
Hahah “Lyrical mastermind” I almost shitted my pants reading this ! // To be fairly honest, despite the fact that I HATE Yatchy, I must admit that his performance wasn’t as bad as I was expected. Curry was fire ! Savage, Kodak were shit and Uzi was just like catwalking… Anyway, this is funny that this “sub-shit” dare to open his maw… OK they bullshitted their cypher but YOU bullshitted your whole “career” kid…
Actually XXX bodied the rest of them though it was probably not a freestyle and in his own weirdo way. Denzel Curry murked the rest of them but should have been put with other rappers and not these buffoons.
Seriously, what kind of people like these kind of rappers? What am I missing?
It’s called autism.
I just can’t…I am in tears over here…Lil Yachty referred to as a “Lyrical Mastermind” when we all know secretly he is Mase’s retarded lost son, wack trash dissing wack trash, this is pure comedy. thanks Justin.
U know the world is on the verge of ending when the boat has problems with ur lyrics or lack thereof*…wheres the 90s hot tub machine when u need it*
Lil Yachty a real G
G for GAY!
A lot of fools in her failed Sarcasm class.. I thought the headline was hilarious.
IT WAS
HipHopDX acting like they weren’t promoting this piece of shit in the first place, the irony is too much indeed.
lil floater in the toilet
lyrical mastermind? last time i will ever go on this website.
check out ONSMASH.com they don’t say stupid shit like this
I guess ONSMASH.com is better at the satire?
The real question is how was Kodak out of jail long enough to even show up to this?
That headline was a joke, right?
Why even give this clown and the clown crew the satisfaction of an article about him dissing the exact same music he does. Lil Turd and the Turds. GTFOH!