Who is the Best Lyricist

9.22.20

Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco

People love to compare artists, share their top five MCs, then make it something more. Sure, everyone can have their own favorites, and they can be hot for just a moment in time. However, when it comes down to lyrics, we can chop down the list deeply. When a random rap page asked Twitter who was a better lyricist between Kendrick Lamar and Lupe Fiasco, things got interesting.

Over the weekend, a Hip-Hop fan page with less than 3,000 followers shared a poll. Who is the better lyricist, Lupe Fiasco or Kendrick Lamar. This page does state in their bio that they are seeking others opinions on hip-hop. It honestly sounds a bit like my page. Sharing unpopular opinions and giving others the opportunity to share their thoughts and perspectives. It does seem like this page is a big fan of Lupe’s. They have shared his recent mixtape, and many others multiple times on the timeline. With that, I am sure that overtime Lupe has noticed his name trending and found the page.

@choice_rap

Lupe did respond to the question, saying “Lupe but…” Now the world is upset with Lupe for saying he is a better lyricist than Kendrick Lamar. But let us first get a few things straight. Would you ever allow yourself to loose your own battle? Why would anyone do that? Could they both use some attention to their latest projects? Yes. If you saw a fan page constantly Tweeting your music, would you not want to support and send them a response? Of course, if you are a nice person!

Similarly to Kendrick’s Control verse, I do not think this was Lupe throwing any daggers at Kendrick. Before I get to my opinion, let us talk about what happened next.

Of course, people Stan over Kendrick Lamar like no other. So, many were unhappy and blew this tweet up. One of those people, was President of TDE label, Punch. He responded a mere “lol” to the Tweet, to nonchalantly add he disagrees with Lupe’s comment. It is a bit funny, last week we just discussed 50 Cent calling out Kendrick Lamar from staying as far away from the other TDE artists as he can. It is nice to see the President of the label still has his back. I mean, that would clearly be the best move as this is your prime money maker, but you see what the boys did to Ferg.

While Lupe did have some votes in the comments, you know that the kids that are following this page are going to be for Kendrick. On top of that, once the labels get involved, it is bigger than a playful remark on the internet. Of course, Lupe has to clear the air on what he meant by this two-worded tweet.

Lupe gave us one of those “Kendrick is a better artist than me, but I am a better lyricist.” The tweets have since been deleted, in which he acknowledged another hip-hop fan page saying “I always delete the tweets. I don’t live in the moment.” However, below is essentially what the Tweets had read.

In my own words once again for you b***…I love me some K.Dot … always have and always will. With that being said, do I think he is a good lyricist? Yes. Do I think he is the best lyricist? No. Do I think there’s lyricist that are better than him? Yes. Is he a better artist than me? Yes. (TWEET 1)

Is he a better lyricist than me? No. Does he make songs better than me? Yes. Did I think Control was ridicule? No. Am I jealous of K. Dot? No. Did I personally give him his props in Chicago on stage to be the next *** to take the crown? YES. Is it on camera? Yes. Did I mean it? Yes. (TWEET 2)

Does my opinion matter? Obviously. Does your opinion matter? Yes. Does your opinion matter to me? No. Are we both legends? Yes. Are we both successful? Yes. Is it a bunch of unsuccessful *** that keep pushing this? Yes.

Section 80 is my fave. TDE is my favorite rap label. (TWEET 3)

-@lupefiasco

So, in long, Lupe Fiasco shares his respect for Kendrick. He says he loves Kendrick and the label, he feels like he makes better songs than Lupe himself, but is not the greatest when it comes to lyricism.

I think it is interesting that Lupe even but out that Kendrick makes better songs than Lupe. From Kick, Push, to Around My Way, to Superstar, to Hip-Hop Saved my Life and The Show Goes On, I think Lupe has a fine lineup of hits in his discography. When it comes to choosing who is the better lyricist, it is always going to come down to who you ask. Lupe unfortunately does not have the longevity that Kendrick has put into hip-hop, and for that, he is going to win every time. There are multiple generations looking up to him, Lupe is old school at this point.

This battle to me is real. I would pick Lupe on the lyricist column, but just know that Kendrick cannot loose. While the J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar Verzuz battle does not seem like a feasible thing, maybe these two can go head to head. I would love to see that.