I know it has been a while since I wrote one of these, I just wanted to remind people that the point of this article is to start a discussion. In some of my posts, I am making a point but even still, I want to hear your opinions on the subject! Anyway, I was inspired the other day when I was re-listening to one of my favorite albums of the year, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Adventures of Chico Dustyy, and re-heard a line that caught my ear.
“It is like the game is haunted, there are so many ghostwriters” states Big Boi on his song “Follow Us”. Obvious negative connotations, direct implications that Big Boi would prefer it some other way; that so many ghostwriters is a bad thing. A ghostwriter is someone who writes rhymes for someone else to rap in a song. In hip-hop, everyone claims to BE a ghostwriter but no one claims to USE a ghostwriter. Hip hop nowadays has created a high standard for the emcee, one that is not found in many other genres, a standard that expects the artist to have two very separate but difficult skills. Being able to sing/rap should have nothing go do with one’s ability to write music or lyrics; being good at writing lyrics does not mean you will be able to perform them. However, hip-hop has turned the esteemed position of “singer/song-writer” into the standard for today’s emcee.
There was no problem that Aretha Franklin did not write all her own stuff, she could sing and that was what counted. People would still pay to see her perform, still buy her music; she was a singer not a song-writer. American Idol is one of the biggest musical competitions of all time and yet, the contestants take turns singing songs that have already been written, the contestants are competing with their ability to sing/perform. Can you imagine a mainstream rap contest, one where the winner was getting a record deal, in which the winner was able to rap old classic verses well? Pretty much every hip-hop competition requires the emcee to not only perform a rap, but to have written that rap, and in the case of freestyle battles, write that rap ON THE SPOT. How can such polar opposites be the standard, on one hand, practiced known pieces of choice are performed, while on the other, new work is created as the artist goes.
Rappers are constantly being asked for new material, when freestyling for a radio show or appearance, the audience demands that they hear something they haven’t before. If an artist says they will freestyle, and the audience recognizes a verse, it can be potentially damaging to their reputation even if their verse is the hottest 16 around. Royce da 5’9” had to revisit Green Lantern after Slaughterhouse ripped “D.O.A” and perform another new freestyle cause people recognized his original.
At some point in recent history, this attitude became the reality because members of Run DMC used to write for The Beastie Boys on occasion yet both were viewed as dope for different reasons. As someone who cannot write nor rap, I don’t feel that every rapper should be able to do both and I can understand someone working as just a ghostwriter who never performs or a performer who doesn’t write. What do y’all think? Y’all expect rappers to do both? How did this become the standard? You guys think rap is helped because it weeds out the people who aren’t as talented as both or does it allow us to miss out on great writing talents who can’t perform or vice versa? I mean as far as radio play, I understand that not everyone there is a great writer and performer, but I mean just generally in hip-hop.
Add-2
September 14, 2010
I agree 100% there is a new level of expectation for rappers that you cant find in any other genre. Its a tough road but it does make you stronger as an artist. For those who are really talented and can match the quality with the demand that the internet constantly craves then they’ll be fine.
As someone who has written verses, hooks & songs for other people I recognize that everyone isnt perfect. Everyone has their weakness like some people are great studio artist but are terrible performers or rappers who can write great verses but cant write hooks to save their lives. Dr. Dre is a great producer but most of his songs were written by other people, Diddy has a team of writers, Common writes all his verses but most of the time other people are singing the hook, hell the 1st hit rap song “Rappers Delight” wasnt written by The Sugar Hill Gang though they performed it. As an emcee you have to know what you’re good at and for the sake of making a good song make the best decision for the song. So if you cant sing, theres nothing wrong with getting Mary J on the hook or finding someone who can write that bridge for you. BUT I draw the line in calling yourself an emcee and you dont write your own verses. That shit is illegal
Joe
September 14, 2010
Hip hop came about (as a musical medium) because it gave a voice to those ignored by the commercial mass. Unfortunately ghost writing is a result of rap becoming the new pop. Point is if you don’t write your own shit, you don’t have a message. And if you don’t have a message, then what the hell are you rapping for? Oh that’s right, money, fame, and pussy. And coincidently that’s what their raps are about.
Jason Weintraub
September 14, 2010
Good sh*t my man.
I personally felt that rappers wanted to get into the game for 2 reasons:
1. Make Money
2. Make an Impact
The ones who want to make an impact…the KRS One, Public Enemy, Nas, AZ, and all these rappers who have true messages in their songs usually don’t have ghost writers. What they say is for the streets from the streets, or for anyone else going through every day struggles. However, many of these rappers have to make money and ghost write for a number of artists like Pac did.
The ones who are in it for the money pretty much need ghost writers. They are rappers all about marketing and appealing to certain audience that are going to spend the money to go buy their stuff. (Drake, Minaj, etc..)
It’s all about what you are in the game for.
Alex V
September 14, 2010
Its a great point that rappers are held to that standard of having to have a great flow as well as great lyrics; even musicians aren’t held to that standard. I’ve heard plenty of complain about hip hop artists by saying that they “just talk” but don’t even know how to play any instruments. But the fact that they have to compose their own lyrics to get any respect is a pretty big counterpoint to that. Some of the most talented musicians cant write songs to save their life, but no one accuses them of “ghostwriting”.
The best hip hop artists to me are the ones that manage to both create meaningful lyrics and deliver them well. Guys like One Be Lo or Shad have amazing messages and wordplay in addition to great rapping ability. If all you have are the rhymes, you’re basically a poet. If all you have is the voice/rhythm/flow, you’re basically someone else’s instrument. Gotta have both aspects.
jusedayne
September 14, 2010
Being an aspiring hip-hop artist myself, I believe it’s a double edged sword. I feel like the people that really RAP should never use ghostwriters. However, I dont frown on people like Diddy, Dr. Dre, Jurmaine Dupri, etc. who use ghostwriters and I’ll tell you why. These people have so much of an impact on hip hop that people will listen to and purchase their material. with that being said, they can reach out and provide an opportunity to an artist without that platform to make money for their craft.
Example: Kanye West…now…I believe Ye’ writes a lot of his own material but he also creates opportunities for others. We all know that Rhymefest had a hand in Jesus Walks. now imagine if that was a Rhymefest song….not much of an impact…but as a Kanye West song it was Monumental and allowed Rhymefest to earn money. Also Kid cudi had a hand in 808’s Heartbreak which gave him a chance to generate revenue as well. Lastly, its never been admitted…but I believe that Big Sean has been a contributer to Ye for a while as well…I can just hear Sean spitting some of Ye’s material in my head annnnnnd it looks like he’s getting money from somewhere…
I think its pretty much accepted for “Entertainers” to have writers but not RAPPERS…like if it came out that Big Sean was indeed Kanye’s writer, he’d lose the respect of many but people would still buy his product because he makes good music and is entertaining. However, if it came out that someone like Wale or J. Cole had a writer…they’re pretty much done for.
Personally, I would LOVE to BE a ghostwriter, so its hard for me to frown on it. However, I would NEVER use one because I’D rather my music come from within and never blow up than to use someone elses skills and succeed.
Jasper T
September 14, 2010
It’s sort of a catch 22 b/c those that can afford ghostwriters have already, usually, put in their time and work and made something out of themselves. All talent aside, every famous artist has experienced a tremendous amount of two things: hard work and luck. If you can afford a ghostwriter, good for you. If you’re Jay-Z or Dr. Dre, I’ve probably already stopped listening to most of your music.
thabeastwithin
September 14, 2010
i like this blog Ben, good shit. i understand artist have their strengths and weaknesses. really, i don’t think much of it if a rapper has a ghost writer. i mean, i don’t want anyone penning my verses, but that’s me. i think ghost writers are ideal for entertainers that want 2 add rap 2 their agenda, but don’t necessarily posses the talent themselves (Diddy, Dre). I respect artist that write their own verses a lot more than those that don’t. as far as r&b goes, singers get away w/ this because their music has more to do w/ the passion and emotion in their voice, whereas rappers convey emotion through words mainly. no one really cares who wrote a singers song as long as they can sing. w/ a rapper, people are listening to your words, so regardless if you spit w/ conviction your talent will be questioned as a rapper.
Benja
September 14, 2010
I’m going to write a full response later, I am loving the feedback. You guys are making some interesting points. I have a question I would like to tag on: what if all of teh sudden Waka Flocka Flame had a sick ghost writer and started spittin some real lyrical shit? Would people accept him as being sick or still whack with a good writer?
Thanks everyone!
Killa Conscious
September 15, 2010
Folks are missing the point. The thing that makes a talented rapper is the wittyness of his/her lyrics. In singing, the talent is in the interperetation the singer lends to the lyrics via the unique pitch/tone/quality of his/her voice. In rapping….well, my mom can recite a Crooked I verse and make it sound good. It takes no talent. Rapping is about creative rhymes. Period. But I will say this, I wouldn’t mind if some of these rappers had some ghost writers. It made Lil Wayne that much more interesting. Ha ha. If you don’t write your rhymes your a fake emcee. Cause you’re not emceeing. Period.
S1xt6en
September 15, 2010
I feel ghostwriters are needed and are a good way for some dope mc’s to make money. If you take R and B for instance most music is written by someone else and performed by a major artist. With rapping you have to take into account a lot of factors other than just being a good writer. How is this person’s voice, image, stage presence, recording skills, and time management. I don’t think “real Mc’s” have ghost writers only the ones in it for profit, but it also gives the cats who might be that “one hit away” a chance to make some extra money. I am all for it! If you know anyone who needs a ghost writer I will be more than happy to lend my services!
Rap Rebirth
September 17, 2010
Yo man, I couldn’t agree more. As a hip hop ghsotwriter myself I tell people everyday that we’re helping rappers express themselves more fully. The rapper is still the driving creative force, they’re still the performer