Fuck Blender. Listen to good hip-hop.
By AmHm • Nov 5th, 2007 at 9:03 pm • Category: Audio, Guides| Hot: |  |  | | | |
Blender magazine recently named rapper Common #36 on its “The 40 Worst Lyricists in Rock.” Not that Blender ever held much credibility for me, but this atrocity is enough to discount anything the magazine will ever say again. Among others included on this list: Jim Morrison in at #10, Ian Anderson at #18, Robert Plant at #23, KRS-One at #25, Paul McCartney at #38 and Billy Corgan ranking in at #39.
I get it. Oohh how controversial of you Blender. Their rationale for naming Common #36: “Never Trust a Rapper in a Sweater Vest.” Because, that’s what we judge musical quality on these days. Let’s be serious for a minute here: a sweater vest? Who does this guy think he is? Black people aren’t supposed to wear sweater vests! Why, Common’s just a white guy in blackface!
Now I get it.
Poor disillusioned Blender. As proof of Common’s “earnest neo-soul thoughts,” they quote his “worst lyric ever” from the track “Making a Name for Ourselves.” It’s a fun, upbeat track and somewhat removed from most of what Common generally raps about. The verse, “I’m your worst nightmare squared/That’s double for niggas who ain’t mathematically aware,” does not necessarily evoke the “earnest neo-soul thoughts” they seem to have a problem with. Way to back up your claims, guys. Worse still: The verse happens to be split between Common and Canibus, who is the guest rapper on the track. If you’re going to make bogus, unfounded claims, at least get your bullshit straight.
This crap got me thinking. There are so many voices in hip-hop that are underrated, misunderstood or simply unknown. Now, I’m not saying that Common is any of the above. He’s won numerous awards for his music and lyricism. He’s pretty mainstream and certainly well loved. But I’m sick of real hip-hop (No Lil’ Bow Wow here) not getting the credit it deserves in the musical world. I don’t purport to be an expert on the genre. Not even close. However, I love hip-hop. I want to share some of my favorites with the hope that you’ll [ignore anything Blender Magazine ever has to say] check them out yourself.
