Eminem Shouts Out Beastie Boys in BET Awards 2011 Cypher

[Kid Presentable]

Originally Posted by pm0ney

My opinion on Eminem is that he's an extremely talented wordsmith and an extremely talented rapper who makes -in general- bad music. I was a big fan of his first two albums when he really blew up, but even they have aged pretty badly. His talent and audacity early in his career are enough to warrant his massive success, I think. But the shit that he releases now that gets played on z100 and KTU? No way, man. I cant dig any of that shit. Its pop music.

Fair enough. His new shit is pretty lame, but there are moments here and there. And the topic isn't his music, it's his spitting in the cypher. And that was incredible.

In fact, most times he gets at a beat, he demolishes it. For me that carries much more weight in judging his influence and skills than the actual music he releases, if only because he's simply that good as an MC that he makes his own garbage output irrelevant.

He's probably the best rapper living.

[Micodin]

Originally Posted by Kid Presentable

He's probably the best rapper living.

I would say that's spot on.

[Kid Presentable]

Originally Posted by Micodin

I would say that's spot on.

I mean, the challenge is seeing past the bullshit music he has made. Listen to the second half of that cypher verse, it's pretty incredible. Yes I think Royce was more entertaining, but Em has dropped numerous feature verses and freestyles which are of such a high calibre...well, you get the point.

Compare him to a group like the Beastie Boys, obviously their strength is in their ability to be entertaining and just make music that feels right. It's a whole different thing, much more tacit.

[Micodin]

Agreed. He can make some corny pop songs but also murder beats like no one else.

Check out his last two Westwood freestyles. The kid is zoned out.

[Brother McDuff]

straight up artistry 'in the raw' and the ability to create a 'piece of art' are two very different things', though equally significant and vital.

it's the whole 'live art' vs 'crafted art' balance. spontaneity vs manipulation. eminem will never record a piece of work like a Bboy record (IMO), just as the Bboys will never tout the natural lyrical prowess that Eminem yields (IMO). but both skills are divine nonetheless. it's the varying balance between the innate and contrived within any given artist that really chisels there own individuality. some are purely one or the other, but most straddle a personalized line somewhere in between.

music is great, isn't it?

[Micodin]

Originally Posted by Brother McDuff

music is great, isn't it?

Truth.

[jayjacobson16]

Originally Posted by Brother McDuff

music is great, isn't it?

Forget music man. I'm into crack now. It's dope y'all.

[Brother McDuff]

Originally Posted by jayjacobson16

Forget music man. I'm into crack now. It's dope y'all.

I've heard good things...

[sab0tage]

Well said

Originally Posted by Brother McDuff

straight up artistry 'in the raw' and the ability to create a 'piece of art' are two very different things', though equally significant and vital.

it's the whole 'live art' vs 'crafted art' balance. spontaneity vs manipulation. eminem will never record a piece of work like a Bboy record (IMO), just as the Bboys will never tout the natural lyrical prowess that Eminem yields (IMO). but both skills are divine nonetheless. it's the varying balance between the innate and contrived within any given artist that really chisels there own individuality. some are purely one or the other, but most straddle a personalized line somewhere in between.

music is great, isn't it?

[JoLovesMCA]

I won’t say I don’t think Eminem isn’t talented because I’d be crucified for that one and anyway I do think he is a great lyricist… it’s just his voice I don’t like. It always reminded me of Fran Drescher. I guess I am just all about the voice and I know that I am in the minority. Oh well.

[pm0ney]

Originally Posted by Kid Presentable

I mean, the challenge is seeing past the bullshit music he has made. Listen to the second half of that cypher verse, it's pretty incredible. Yes I think Royce was more entertaining, but Em has dropped numerous feature verses and freestyles which are of such a high calibre...well, you get the point.

Compare him to a group like the Beastie Boys, obviously their strength is in their ability to be entertaining and just make music that feels right. It's a whole different thing, much more tacit.

Fair enough, which is why I prefaced my statement by stating how talented I think he is. In general though, I'm a bigger fan of recorded music than I am of cyphers and battles. Chuck D has openly stated he never battled/freestyled/what-have-you, but I'd take him over Eminem any day.

[Kid Presentable]

It's a funny thought that responsible parenting will include teaching one's kids about good hip-hop.

[abbott]

Originally Posted by Kid Presentable

It's a funny thought that responsible parenting will include teaching one's kids about good hip-hop.

any parent who gets their kids into hip hope must be crazy, especially if they have girls.

[cj hood]

Originally Posted by Kid Presentable

He's probably the best rapper living.

did Rakim die?

[Kid Presentable]

Originally Posted by cj hood

did Rakim die?

His spark did.

[smith7800]

Originally Posted by Kid Presentable

His spark did.

Haha. Booya

[pm0ney]

Most great rappers are still alive. Kid's right though, Eminem still has the skrillz to pay the thrillz.

[smith7800]

Kid's also right that most great rappers have lost their spark. The Beasties are kind of a different thing though. They are great entertainers... MC's as they like to say.

[Brother McDuff]

Originally Posted by pm0ney

Most great rappers are still alive. Kid's right though, Eminem still has the skrillz to pay the thrillz.

well, he's got the humility to play the pop game. that's something I don't think Rakim is too interested in. I can respect both sides of that coin, though I'd be far more inclined to cue up a Rakim record than an Eminem one anyday. that's just me though.

[pm0ney]

Originally Posted by Brother McDuff

well, he's got the humility to play the pop game. that's something I don't think Rakim is too interested in. I can respect both sides of that coin, though I'd be far more inclined to cue up a Rakim record than an Eminem one anyday. that's just me though.

Agreed.

[dave790]

Originally Posted by Brother McDuff

well, he's got the humility to play the pop game. that's something I don't think Rakim is too interested in. I can respect both sides of that coin, though I'd be far more inclined to cue up a Rakim record than an Eminem one anyday. that's just me though.

yeah. on the one hand his skills are undoubted. on the other there is 'just lose it.'