Source: Noah Graham / Getty
Rap has changed.
Forgive me. I’m just an 80’s baby that was brought up on East Coast vs West Coast, story rhymes and battle raps. I appreciate the grit of emceeing. The rawness of staccato that marries diction and rim shot. I don’t flock to traditional ‘feel good’ music for comfort. This is my peace.
Which is why I wish Drake would get off his high pony and respond to Joe Budden before Joey has a goddamn heart attack in someones studio. (I like Drake – a lot actually – but I imagine he’d ride a pony before he’d ride a horse. Ijs.)
Back in the day (damn, am I old now?) all it took was for someone to think they heard someone mention their name in a disrespectful manner and it was on. There was no debate. The Rap Battle has been a staple in hip hop since it’s inception. Steel sharpens steel. That’s how greats got greater.
Not so much anymore.
Finish this story [here]
