Old School Rap=Overrated

[FreeSpeech]

Don't get me wrong, it's good. Hell, a ton of it is phenomenal. It's just, everyone acts like most new rap can't compare. In my opinion, today's rappers far outdo many old school guys. I respect old school for what it was: groundbreaking. However, that doesn’t mean it was better. Like, I can respect the Model T because it was the original, but I'll take a 2010 Lambo any day. Production nowadays is altogether way better, no question. It’s not just beats, because that’s very subjective, but production as a whole. Yeah, I know technology has a ton to do with that, but if something sounds good it sounds good. As for lyrics, that is also very subjective. However, when it comes to multis and rhyme schemes, new school comes out on top. For everyone who claims today’s rappers just talk about bullshit, the old school did a lot of that too. I’d say the meaningful/BS ratio is pretty consistent. Pac is possibly my favorite rapper (I can never choose) but I can admit he made many meaningless songs just like all of today’s rappers.

Here's lyrics from 36 chambers, which is regarded by many as one of the GOAT albums:

“Well I'm a sire, I set the microphone on fire
Rap styles vary, and carry like Mariah
I come from the Shaolin slum, and the isle I'm from
is comin through with nuff niggaz, and nuff guns
so if you wanna come sweatin, stressin contestin
you'll catch a sharp sword to the midsection
Don't talk the talk, if you can't walk the walk
Phony niggaz are outlined in chalk
A man vexed, is what the projects made me
Rebel to the grain there's no way to barricade me
Steamrollin niggaz like a eighteen wheeler
with the drunk driver drivin, there's no survivin”

If Wayne spit these bars today, I guarantee a bunch of hip hop snobs would hop on him and call them wack. They’d get on him for simple rhyme schemes, the metaphors, etc. In no way am I comparing Wayne to Wu or saying he’s better, I’m just saying some people suck the old school’s dick a little too much.
Hate away on me...

[Slim's Shady]

I agree 100%

[ShadyNarkoticz]

I agree that I hate when people are like "I hate the new school hip-hop, it doesn't even begin to compare to old school" because they obviously don't try to get into the new school hip-hop as some of it is just as good or sometimes better.

Although, back then, it was so groundbreaking and damn near every popular emcee was putting their heart into every single verse and it wasn't about money, it was about soul. That's what is missing from some of the new rappers. They just want to get a check and they don't care how they do it and put the least amount of effort as they can into a song.

[WakeUpShow]

i don't agree, but i do agree that old school rappers said simples similes like todays rappers but never get called on it. 36 Chambers and Illmatic are full of very simple similes like " I'm ____ like ____"

[FreeSpeech]

Old school rap seems to simple overall music wise.

It generally was. When you look at dude's like B.o.B. or Kanye, those dudes really understand music. If they were classical composers, their stuff would be damn good. That's why I love MBDTF, musically it's insane.

[flyingmonkey10]

you make an excellent point


i prefer old school rap, but that's just me. i really like old school shit
NES biches!

[SatansAngel]

There's old school rappers that were better than new rappers and there is new rappers that are better than old school rappers.

Just because they're old school doesn't mean they're better than everything modern.

For example, MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice aren't better than newer rappers like J. Cole or Lupe Fiasco just because Hammer and Vanilla Ice are old school.

It works both ways.

[ShadyNarkoticz]

There's old school rappers that were better than new rappers and there is new rappers that are better than old school rappers.

Just because they're old school doesn't mean they're better than everything modern.

For example, MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice aren't better than newer rappers like J. Cole or Lupe Fiasco just because Hammer and Vanilla Ice are old school.

It works both ways.

We are talking about Old School rappers that are actually good. That's like saying "Of course old school is better! Listen to Rakim then listen to Soulja Boy". If you are gonna make a comparison, make it equal.

[NicoleEM]

I agree that I hate when people are like "I hate the new school hip-hop, it doesn't even begin to compare to old school" because they obviously don't try to get into the new school hip-hop as some of it is just as good or sometimes better.

Although, back then, it was so groundbreaking and damn near every popular emcee was putting their heart into every single verse and it wasn't about money, it was about soul. That's what is missing from some of the new rappers. They just want to get a check and they don't care how they do it and put the least amount of effort as they can into a song.

That's why old school is so apreciated.Nowadays seems like the joy of just making music is gone for most of the rappers.But i think the labels pressure has a lot to do with it,back then practically everyone collaborated with whomever they wanted,or at least that's how it seems to me.

[Hiphopdane]

I'm not into all this "hip hop is dead"-stuff but honestly, if you don't think hip hop peaked in the 90's you must be tripping. We got several classics every year, now I can't even think of one in the last 3.

Only built 4 cuban linx, It was written, Illmatic, The chronic, Infamous, Ready to die, Life after death, 36 chambers, Liquid swords, Aquemeni, Reasonable doubt, Low end theory, 93 till infinity, The return of the boom bap etc.

[Slim's Shady]

I'm not into all this "hip hop is dead"-stuff but honestly, if you don't think hip hop peaked in the 90's you must be tripping. We got several classics every year, now I can't even think of one in the last 3.

Only built 4 cuban linx, It was written, Illmatic, The chronic, Infamous, Ready to die, Life after death, 36 chambers, Liquid swords, Aquemeni, Reasonable doubt, Low end theory, 93 till infinity, The return of the boom bap etc.

90's rap isn't old school.

[momentisgolden]

I'm not into all this "hip hop is dead"-stuff but honestly, if you don't think hip hop peaked in the 90's you must be tripping. We got several classics every year, now I can't even think of one in the last 3.

Only built 4 cuban linx, It was written, Illmatic, The chronic, Infamous, Ready to die, Life after death, 36 chambers, Liquid swords, Aquemeni, Reasonable doubt, Low end theory, 93 till infinity, The return of the boom bap etc.

90's rap isn't old school.

So what is?! When most people quote old school they bring up Nas, Biggie, Pac, Rakim and even on the female side Kim. So what IS old school?!

[ShadyNarkoticz]

So what is?! When most people quote old school they bring up Nas, Biggie, Pac, Rakim and even on the female side Kim. So what IS old school?!

Golden Age hip-hop is the 90s rap.
Old School hip-hop is 80s rap. Eric B. & Rakim, LL, etc.

[mcZu]

It isn't overrated, during that period of time it was good, exceptionally good. For the likes of Kool G Rap to spit such complex rhyme schemes when Hip Hop music was at such an early age, is phenomenal. The craft evolved, it got more complex, and better. But the overall sound back in the day was better. It's way too commercial nowadays, the underground is too bitter, and the average rap fan is too ignorant.

But at the end of day, it's normal for people to look back and think that something is not good. Ten years from now they'll probably look back and say that Eminem was overrated. Things change. People change. Music changes as well.