What makes a rapper lyrical?

[iZo]

Is it the amount of vocab they can use without completely overdoing it and still remaining understandable? Or is it their choice of words? What's the criteria for judging this I guess, I never really gave it much thought

[RealSickLindley]

A lyricist to me has always been that something creative and different.

I mean it doesn't have to have great content or big words.. But if you listen to a song, and you can't predict the guys next line, he can be classed as lyrical.

[iZo]

A lyricist to me has always been that something creative and different.

I mean it doesn't have to have great content or big words.. But if you listen to a song, and you can't predict the guys next line, he can be classed as lyrical.

Ah I like that answer, thanks

[EminemBase]

Vocabulary is definitely important to me but more important is the way they use it.

Canibus uses a lot of big vocabulary but not very interestingly, to me.

Where as Em, if you take Relapse, he's often not using complex words but in fact flowing the words in such a way, having written them so tongue-twisingly that they sound totally unique and addictive.

Aside from that, metaphors and similies but obviously, original and creatives ones. And also, the ability to switch perspectives, jump from 1st to 3rd person like Em does so effortlessly and also... The ability to use your lyrics to achieve different outcomes. Introspection, humour, poetry etc. The more you can do, the more lyrical you are to me.

[iZo]

Vocabulary is definitely important to me but more important is the way they use it.

Canibus uses a lot of big vocabulary but not very interestingly, to me.

Where as Em, if you take Relapse, he's often not using complex words but in fact flowing the words in such a way, having written them so tongue-twisingly that they sound totally unique and addictive.

Aside from that, metaphors and similies but obviously, original and creatives ones. And also, the ability to switch perspectives, jump from 1st to 3rd person like Em does so effortlessly and also... The ability to use your lyrics to achieve different outcomes. Introspection, humour, poetry etc. The more you can do, the more lyrical you are to me.

I love this guy, no homo

[Ka0t1c]

it's not only an understandable big vocab, but also the syllable pattern compliments their rhymes as well, that's my definition of lyrical, pretty much able to rhyme constantly.

[iZo]

it's not only an understandable big vocab, but also the syllable pattern compliments their rhymes as well, that's my definition of lyrical, pretty much able to rhyme constantly.

Ya, I guess flow is an important aspect as well, good wordchoice and all that nonsense while still managing to make perfect sense

[,-,'-{Bar}-',-,]

creativity

[Relapse.LP]

Rhyming, content, originality, and complexity.

But my categories are very interchangeable.

[2O12]

i think it is when they tell a story !!
like on joell ortiz's 'Call Me' that is DOPE!!

[Xray]

Lyrics make a rapper lyrical. The more lyrical content you have in your raps the more lyrical you are.

Simple as that.

[Dark Blue]

Rhyming, content, originality, and complexity.

But my categories are very interchangeable.

that ^^

[Bistnal]

Lyrics make a rapper lyrical. The more lyrical content you have in your raps the more lyrical you are.

Simple as that.

That wasn't redundant lol

[iZo]

Lul atleast he voiced his opinion