The Downfall of Lyrical Rap (Part 1) - Sound Waves

What this episode covers

Lyrical rap has seen its spotlight fade in the mainstream, with artists like Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole being the rare exceptions on today’s radio waves. The shift from intricate wordplay and storytelling to melody-driven, vibe-first rap like that of Lil Uzi Vert and Future has sparked debates about whether the genre’s substance is being lost. While tracks like Nas’ "Illmatic" and Biggie’s "Juicy" used to balance flow with meaning, modern rap, driven by trap beats and autotune, often prioritizes sound over message. But is this change killing lyrical rap, or just evolving it into something new? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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How long is this episode of Sound Waves?

This episode is 11 minutes long.

When was this Sound Waves episode published?

This episode was published on June 10, 2023.

What is this episode about?

Lyrical rap has seen its spotlight fade in the mainstream, with artists like Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole being the rare exceptions on today’s radio waves. The shift from intricate wordplay and storytelling to melody-driven, vibe-first rap like that...

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