What is the difference between a rapper and an MC?
A rapper rhymes but an MC moves the crowd. Simple isn't it? Well it isn't.
Anyone can rhyme, but who's controlling the crowd? Ja Rule? No offense Ja but, I don't think so.
The consensus in the hip hop community is that rappers do it for the money and MC's (Emcees) do it for the love of the game. Here's one differnce Rappers don't battle. MC's battle. An MC is familar with all the five elements of hip hop. A rapper wouldn't be able to name one.
Next Week: When did hip hop start?
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5 comments:
"Any hip hop artist who makes it big-time is just a sell-out rapper?"
I never said used the term sell out.
"Are guys like Mos Def and Talib Kweli former Lyricists/MC's that are suddenly downgraded to rappers now that both are making strong stabs towards commercialism?"
Good question and the answer is no. Mos Def is just as much of an MC as he was when he was signed to Rawkus. Just cause the mainstream has caught up to him doesn't take away from his talent or his perspective as an artist.
"Ludacris "moves about the stage at will" and "puts on a great live performance," but really has nothing to say in his music."
Ludacris is a lyrically talented MC. Guys like MC Busy Bee never said anything in his music.
Glad you brought up those points.
Seriously would you say Chingy and Nelly are MCs?
What are the five elements of hip hop?
Nominal you will get your answer in next week's post.
To me, MC's are mentally stimulating. they've done their homework. You will never catch them saying that they like their women " Chinese, Japanese or ASIAN" like Chingy's ign'ant @SS. MC's can become popular but they stay true to their craft and put out quality, thought rovoking work while taking over the crowd. In other words, KRS-1, Rakim, Common, Y-Z (if you remember him), Poor Righteous Teachers (if you remember them too), Talib, etc.. but you would never hear me say that LL ever was. I've heard Luda (Chris Luva Luva) do his thing when he was on HOT 97.5 (HOT 107.9??) in the ATL so I know that he IS an MC but he's dumbs down his work so that he's marketable. So good point ~ unless Chingy and Nelly came up with something thought provoking and didn't use words simply because they rhymed then they CANNOT be MC's. That's what's up.~ Ms. Blaize
Thank you Ms. Blaze. You broke it down perfectly.
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