Here’s the thing. Lists are bullshit. They’re biased, incomprehensive. They are misinformed and ill-informed. They incite anger and hatred. They make you question why you would ever again listen to the person who made it. They make perfectly reasonable people seem like incompetent morons. This is also why, lists are amazing.
Lists are controversial. They’re divisive. They incite passion and debate. They make you do your homework to look for reasons to support your opinions and push you to learn more because they leave you wondering if you’re missing something. They also make you confident that you know something because you’ve made someone else do the wondering.
No list is perfect. This one isn’t. This is simply one perspective of the 5 best lyricists who haven’t been given the credit they deserve. Your favorite rapper won’t make this list. Your most hated rapper will. You might agree, or disagree. The point is, I don’t care. Sound off in the comments if you please.
Disclaimer: To define ‘underrated’ for this list, I wanted to focus on artists who are rarely mentioned in discussions of great – and in one case, the greatest – rappers. These artists were never on the MTV Hottest MC’s list, never got nominated for the BET Award for best hip-hop artist, never got nominated for a grammy (solo) – but probably should have.
5. Jay Electronica
One piece of Proof: Exhibit C
Non-fans usually can’t get behind the Roc Nation artist because of the frequent use of religious undertones and the lyrical complexity that usually requires pressing rewind. This is exactly why Jay Electronica is underrated. The greatness of a rapper, at least in my opinion, is in large part based on the artist’s ability to move the listener only using the rhythm and sound of their voice, and the content of their lyrics. Of course, producers provide the canvas for rappers to paint on and are absolutely essential to the creation of great music…but that’s a whole different discussion.
If you’re a fan of Jay Electronica, you likely admire is the consistency of his character and how it translates to his music – a trait far too uncommon for lyrical rappers. “Exhibit A” and “Exhibit C” have critical acclaim, and might be the closest things to singles you’ll get from the dude, but they are still works of art with the use of sophisticated multis and an effortless delivery. Elect’s story telling ability is reminiscent of some of the best, although his lyricism and style is all his own. Close your eyes and listen to “Departure” or “Katrina The Levees Broke” and you’ll be amazed at how he uses emotion and wordplay to paint pictures in your mind. “Eternal Sunshine” is a must listen. It’s been some time since Jay Electronica put out a full new project. Almost so long that I was considering leaving him off this list. Fortunately for us, we know the Roc Nation artist is still working as he recently dropped some great bars on some overlooked feature appearances (“We Made It Remix” & “Control”). Last year’s “Shiny Suit Theory” shows us he’s still got it. He may never appeal to the masses, but at least he’ll be around for the true Hip-Hop fans that want music that reminds them of the formative days of the culture.
4. Blu
One Piece of Proof: Dancing In The Rain
If you were a hip-hop fan in the summer of 2007, you were probably listening to the Shop Boyz’s one hit wonder Party Like a Rockstar, future nobody Mims’ This Is Why I’m Hot or Jim Jones’ wildly popular but terrible We Fly High. You were desperately waiting for September to come around to hear Kanye’s Graduation album, and maybe check out 50 Cent’s not-really-anticipated album Curtis. The state of the rap game was embarrassing. Nas had declared hip-hop dead the year before, Hov had come back to try to save it. This was the time period that created the fuel that was needed for so many of the artists that we’ve seen blow up since.
One of those artists should have been Blu. In July 2007, the LA rapper collaborated with little-known of producer Exile to create the underground classic Below The Heavens. Almost no one heard it – I didn’t until 2011. Those who did, applauded it. Those who didn’t, would soon. This single piece of work from the artist is enough for me to state that Blu is one of the most underrated rappers ever. Below The Heavens was enough to get XXL to feature Blu as one of the 10 Freshman for its inaugural class in 2009.
If there is one project that I find myself often imploring my friends and fellow hip-hop heads to listen to, start-to-finish, it would be this one. The young (at the time) rapper’s casual but sophisticated flow is beautifully complimented by Exile’s beats. His thoughts on his dreams and challenges are relatable to anyone trying to grow and become someone better. While some of his newer material doesn’t quite meet the bar he set for himself back in 2007, I still believe that the rapper he was then deserves some credit now and forever.
3. Joe Budden
One Piece of Proof: Who Killed Hip Hop
The fact that Joey is still often referred to as ’”The Pump It Up Guy” demonstrates how underrated he is.
While Method Man may disagree, Joe Budden has been an underground king for the better part of 10 years now. Previously part of the Triangle Offense crew with Fabolous and Paul Cain, Budden is now the veteran anchor of the lyrical wrecking ball and Slim Shady cosigned Slaughterhouse. Everyone who knows of Joe Budden knows his attempt to go mainstream didn’t go well. I think that’s probably a good thing. Joey has a ton of material from mixtapes and features that prove his worth on this list. In fact, Joe Budden’s longevity in the rap game is a testament to his ability to be a factor in the game while avoiding the trap of commercializing his career (all Love and Hip Hop jokes aside).
Many have said the following before, and artists are becoming smarter to reiterate it: An individual’s response to music is a function of their character – who they are, what they’ve been through, what they’re going through, etc. Joe Budden shines when he uses the music as the tool for the purpose it was created for – to express himself. His biggest critics hate him for how introspective he is, despite the fact he uses it to make incredible music: “10 Mins”, “Follow Your Lead”, “Russian Roulette”, “All of Me” & “Goodbye”. When he flexes skill, Joey’s got versatile verses that can hang with the best of them: “Loud Noises”, “Microphone”, “Shady 2.0 BET Cypher”…all BET Cyphers for that matter.
His style is confident which lets you focus on the lyrics. The frequent use of current events in his similes and metaphors, gives the lazy listener the quick imagery needed to illustrate his points. In a world where Hip-Hop gets criticized for being shallow and crude (and Joey certainly has his moments) the reflective artist is often overlooked. It’s easier to stay mainstream if you don’t force your listeners to look in the mirror. Shout out to Joey for staying true to his style, and pushing others to do the same.
Note: In light of recent events involving Joe Budden and potential criminal charges, it is important to note that this is not an endorsement of his alleged behavior. Innocent until proven guilty will be our approach especially considering that this blog post is intended to give credit to artists where credit is due – for their music.
2. Shad
One piece of Proof: Shad’s 2014 BET Backroom Freestyle
Who? If you said that, and are a self-proclaimed Hip-Hop fan, you should be disappointed in yourself. If you’re sitting there thinking you’ve heard of Shad but haven’t given him much play, you should be ashamed of yourself. If you heard a few tracks from Shad and still don’t fuxwithit or have dismissed him as “gimmicky” or “not street enough”, you are in fact the worst kind of hip-hop listener. Hopefully that freestyle smartened you up #hekilledthatshit.
Now I could be accused of being biased here, since Shad and I (and the creators of this blog) are from the same country (Oh Canada!). But after listening to some of his best work, its hard to deny that Shad is a beast. Better than that, Shad is the true definition of what Hip-Hop artists used to be – a unique and talented character that is genuine and authentic with himself and his listeners. He uses his lyrical creativity and confident flow to create music that could be deep and thoughtful while also being able to reach the head boppers when he feels like it. I can’t get over how easy it is for him when I hear last year’s hit release “Stylin”, then I remember it was tracks like that– “Ya I get It” & “Rose Garden” – that made me a fan. You can’t help but then respect the rare rapper who still makes listenable tracks that have heart and meaning – “Remember to Remember” & “Keep Shining”. His catalogue is dense, and this post doesn’t do it justice. Shad is a class act, a true talent and mic killer that certainly has not been paid his due yet. Here’s to hoping Shad’s star shines brighter soon.
1. BlackThought
One Piece of Proof: This Freestyling with Questlove In the Early 1990’s plus A 2013 Live Shady 45 cypher
Why is BlackThought the most underrated rapper ever? These two freestyles happen more than 20 years apart. BlackThought has been the definition of consistency and quality at a skill level very few rappers can challenge for a time period that NO rapper can challenge. He started out as one of the best lyricists in the game when The Roots came together in 1987 and he is only getting better. He’s the most underrated rapper because he and The Roots have been influencing the rap game for 2 and half decades and almost never get mentioned in lists of top 5’s, best ever, or biggest inspirations to today’s hottest artists. I can’t blame Questlove for ranting at the disrespect after Kendrick’s Control verse dropped last year…I did the same.
The only difference between BlackThought and rappers in the “best MC’s of all time” discussions is that the Jimmy Fallon house band leader clearly doesn’t give a fuck about them. The greats don’t talk about it, they demonstrate it. While I can go through Thought’s catalogue and pull hundreds of verses that could be considered elite, I’ll point you to two recent ones that could be considered amongst his best ever – last year on Statik Selektah’s “Birds Eye View” and this year on the same DJ’s “The Imperial”. His storytelling ability is incomparable; he did it for an entire album (Undun). His lyrical dexterity outshines everyone mentioned earlier on this list and 99.999% of the game. Thought provoking: Earlier tracks like “What They Do” and “You Got Me” were ahead of their time and paved the way for “Dear God 2.0” and “False Media”. Flexing skill: Young Thought evolved from “Respond/React” and “Concerto of The Desperado” into a mature beast on “75 Bars – Black’s Reconstruction”, “Doin it Again” and those Statik verses mentioned above.
The sad truth is, like all great things, BlackThought has been so great for so long that he’s being taken for granted. I’m not sure what it’s going to take for people to stop and say he needs to be considered for a head on hip-hop’s Mount Rushmore. Forunately for me, it appears that BlackThought’s prime could still be in front of him. I’m glad that he’s starting to demand the credit he deserves:
“Yo who your top 5?/ Jay, Biggie, Pac, Nas/ I ain’t tryna hear another name, if it’s not mine” – BlackThought on Statik Selektah’s “The Imperial”
FUXWITHIT.com would like to thank our guest writer Jason S. for this piece. Check it out below.
