in my opinion Crooked I has clearly established himself as the best rapper alive

[Da_Funk]

There's hundreds of dope emcee's out there that have the ability to make songs that would appeal to the mainstream, but choose not to.

I'm not a hip hop junkie by any means, but this is just not true. And you know that. So why say it?

 

[masta247]

Well, there are rappers that are well respected amongst underground fans and are way better than commercial rappers but either fail to achieve commercial success because of really a lot of reasons - it doesn't take only rapping skills and good songs to make it.
Or decide not to go commercial for various reasons too. I know there are rappers that declined big record deals. That's usually because trying and failing to be commercially successful would mean the end of their careers. A huge downfall.
And I think most of them live well by selling a few hundred thousand cds and doing tours with the best plus being respected by most fans.
I think more people "hate" the likes of 50 cent and Lil Wayne these days.
They are either hated or loved. I'm sure they can't spend much time in the public either.
Who hates Talib Kweli or Steele of Smif n Wessun? They are great and rich rappers who achieved more than most other MCs and everyone who is into hip-hop either loves, likes them or is neutral. I'd rather be them than a commercially successful rapper.

 

[Butt Rubber]

He's really good but I have to agree that he gets boring. In my opinion you have to also be able to break thru to the mainstream level to be considered the best rapper alive.

mainstream has nothing to offer

 

[ImmortalTech]

I don't understand why not tho..

Alot of emcee's dont care to appeal to the mainstream cuz thats not them.. they'd rather be true to themselves.. Others just dont want to go major, here's why..

This way you can continue having complete creative control of ur albums. Once you go major, you really lose a lot of creative control.

Also in most cases you cant own ur own masters, and getting clearance for samples can cost u an arm and a leg.

Some would even argue that based on album sales alone, you have the potential to make a lot more money indy than on a major record label. Its like sell half a mill and make pennies per album.. or sell 20-30k and make $5-7 per sale (I know thats not true in all cases, but it is in some)

Annnd as hard as it is to believe some emcees just do not care about the fame, and the greed for more money is not really an issue either..

... lets put it this way, PERSONALLY if I was an emcee, I would never want commercial success. I would like to be able to say whatever the fuck I want. Plus I'd like to be able to still walk through malls and go out and eat with my children without the paparazzi and all that nonsense.

I'm not a hip hop junkie by any means, but this is just not true. And you know that. So why say it?

how do u figure? Read the reply above the quote. It gives you tons of legitimate reasons as to why this is very true. There are tons of reasons to remain independent.. and more and more artists are beginning to realize it.

.. and fine maybe not 'hundreds' as originally stated, but u know what I mean. Face it, there are emcees out there like that.



peace

 

[THEV1LL4N]

as an emcee yes, that would probably be the best way. but some of these commercially successful rappers want to venture out into different industries like films, tv, branded products so they may be more concerned about financial security and become even more successful. it is their career that gets the better of their love for dedication to music only.

in other cases, some people are trying to be more successful musically.

 

[tHuG $TyLe]

Royce da 5'9" has written commercial songs for others.

 

[S O F I]

^and failed to be commercial himself.

I was very disappointed in him after Death is Certain for trying to make pathetic, embarrassing shit like Wet My Whistle.

 

[choppa]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Crooked or any other underground rappers are wack, but if I myself don't see why they wouldn't want mainstream attention if they had a chance. Going mainstream doesn't necessarily mean selling yourself out either, or throwing your morals out the window. It's just more exposure, and it can open doors for other opportunities that you might not have when you're strictly underground.

 

[RockIsBack]

Crooked I is a dope rapper but until he drops an actual album he ain't shit! He'll be 40 by the time he does it if at all lol!

ASS ROBBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lyrical start]

Crooked will never drop a album..

 

[ImmortalTech]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Crooked or any other underground rappers are wack, but if I myself don't see why they wouldn't want mainstream attention if they had a chance. Going mainstream doesn't necessarily mean selling yourself out either, or throwing your morals out the window. It's just more exposure, and it can open doors for other opportunities that you might not have when you're strictly underground.

Yes ur right it doesnt necessarily mean selling out, or throwing out ur morals (in some cases it does). But it does mean losing a lot of creative control. And any artist in any form or fashion will tell u that they would not like to lose creative control of their work. On the other hand some would for extra money or exposure.

Also like I said some people do not want the fame at all.

Anyways my post is regarding some artists that obviously does not apply to every single artist out there that has the ability to go mainstream.

And btw, another reason I believe theres tons of emcee's out there that have the ability to go mainstream, but choose not to is cuz of ghostwriting. Again, obviously there's alot more to having mainstream appeal than the songs u write... but that is part of it, and there's tons of major artists that use ghostwriters.

 

[THEV1LL4N]

^^ so of course that is another opportunity for emcees to make some money and not become overly famous or recognised.

 

[choppa]

Yes ur right it doesnt necessarily mean selling out, or throwing out ur morals (in some cases it does). But it does mean losing a lot of creative control. And any artist in any form or fashion will tell u that they would not like to lose creative control of their work. On the other hand some would for extra money or exposure.

Also like I said some people do not want the fame at all.

Anyways my post is regarding some artists that obviously does not apply to every single artist out there that has the ability to go mainstream.

And btw, another reason I believe theres tons of emcee's out there that have the ability to go mainstream, but choose not to is cuz of ghostwriting. Again, obviously there's alot more to having mainstream appeal than the songs u write... but that is part of it, and there's tons of major artists that use ghostwriters.

I understand what you and the other people are saying, and I'm not arguing, just a nice debate about hip-hop since I haven't been on here in a while. I just wish the great artists that are underground would start their own label and try to hit the mainstream so that they aren't limited creatively by big labels. I know it's not easy, maybe even near impossible, but I still would like to see it.

 

[Cooper]

no he hasn't. he hasn't even released am album.

</thread>

 

[S O F I]

<thread reincarnation>

Why can't a mixtape determine talent? Why does an album have to?

 

[Cooper]

that wasn't the only reason I don't think he has, but I think a good artist should be able to produce a good (not necessaril yhigh selling) album. I like him, but greatest living? don't be fucking ridiculous.

 

[Shahin]

Crooked is one of the best at just ripping beats. He's an awesome MC. But he can't make good songs IMO. I thought Pig Face Weapon Waist was very boring. I prefer him when hes just spitting over beats like in the hip hop weekly series.

 

[choppa]

I have to agree with cooper and Shahin on this one