SA’s Top 10 Most Lyrical Rappers
“Rap isn’t lyrical any more.” You hear it enough that it becomes an ugly kind of common sense. It becomes received wisdom, taken as truth: It’s 2013, and rappers are gimmicky. This list is an argument that lyricism is still very much a part of rap music. As hip-hop’s audience has expanded, the rules of what makes a rapper “lyrical” have broadened as well. A fan of Skhanda rap/ Trap might have a different idea of “lyrical” than a fan of underground hero Tumi. Check out our top 10 SA Hip Hop lyricists and tell us what you think:
1. Tumi
Tumi is well known for his lyricism and this album does not disappoint in that regard. The O.G has been at it for the longest time so you know he knows what his doing. The big homie has battled it out with the world’s greatest pens and proved that he is up there with the world’s best.
2. Proverb
His Music career boasts five studio albums (Book of Proverb 2005, Manuscript 2007 and Write of Passage 2009, Fourthwrite 2012), The Read Tape which was released last year and one free for download Mixtape (Off da books.) The veteran is one of the few rap artists we can safely say can lyrically compete on the world stage.
3. Reason
Gahd Body Reazus has been one of the most consistent artists who has also managed to incorporate the sound in the mainstream while staying true to his pen and he never dumbs down his content. Even Proverb admitted to being shook by Reason in studio.
4. Ginger Trill
Ginger Trill is one rapper who is so skilled, his genius goes over a lot of people’s heads. Trill incorporates literary devices into his craft so well a lot of people don’t even notice the level of skill. The dude is undoubtedly going to be a legend but before that the streets need to give the homie his cred.
5. Zakwe
Zakwe was awarded the lyricist of the year award at the first South African Hip Hop Awards. The homie really focuses on his lyrics and his music will attest to this. The homie from Durban is undoubtedly one of the best lyricist’s to ever come out of SA.
