I fell in love with rap music more than a decade ago, during my sophomore year in high school. But, unfortunately, it was not my first love. I grew up in the countryside and my music taste was shaped by my grandma through her radio at the time.
I left for the city upon finishing high school, and surely, the buzzing city welcomed me with a myriad of musical sounds, some of which I’d never heard before. I had heard a bit of rap, but never got convinced about being a diehard fan. Until high school when peer influence kicked in.
Now, that’s almost 13 years of actively listening to rap music. I have matured in the genre. Recently, as I was travelling by bus to college while listening to my classic rap songs, I wondered if, one day, I would put a period – either voluntarily or forcefully – to listening to this type of music. In other words, will I ever outgrow the genre?
Despite the dense use of derogatory phrases, rap music has taught me so much about black history, finance, family, and competition, among others – while at the same time keeping me entertained. I still reminisce on our high school and post-high school public discourses on rap music. Who is the greatest lyricist of all time: 2Pac, Jay-Z, Nas, or someone else? Who won a rap battle? Best guest verse of the year? Rap album of the year?
I even birthed a podcast to discuss rap music with my friend Zack Nazareth.
But the clock is ticking and I’m starting to get worried if one day I will be comfortable listening to rap music with my kids. In the car on our way to shopping malls or visiting friends, will I be playing Kendrick Lamar or J. Cole or Jay-Z’s tapes? Mmh… I don’t know. Perhaps less likely. You can guess the reasons, hahaha.
Oh, by the way, I think J. Cole’s The Off-Season is a better record than 2014 Forest Hill Drive. In the latter, he had something to prove, while on the former, he is much more comfortable rapping and delivering the message – without sounding too preachy – having established himself as a top-tier lyricist.
It’s crazy to fathom that we’ll probably never again hear Drake-Rick Ross collab following their spat during the greatest rap battle of all time. Aston Martin Music and Stay Schemin are classics.
The greatest rapper of all time, although released his last solo record in 2017, continues to find ways to dent the culture and inspire generations. Whether through business moves, guest features, or philanthropy.
I believe that Pusha T’s best verse is on Good Morning. Pure poetry. I only do features to keep hittin’ my mark / And show you [expletive] you ain’t good as you thought… What’s worse, the gift or the curse? / The only way to celebrate a death is with a birth… I mean every word, why you think it’s just a verse? / I’m gone.
Who is the greatest lyricist of my generation? Drake, J. Cole, or Kendrick Lamar. Fortunately, I’m writing this article in 2025, and this question was answered in 2024. The answer has been heard across all the corners of the universe, including in unusual places such as courtrooms.
Perhaps a good piece of advice for myself is to wait and cross that bridge when the time comes. For now, I can enjoy listening to diverse music, including from my favourite rappers.
