There was an interesting discussion about 'idol rappers' and 'underground rappers' on 6theory (allkpop's forums). Is being an 'underground rapper' instantly make you better than the mainstream that consists of idols? The fact is, you can't compare the two!
I am by no means a rap fan and the 'rap' I listen to is as mainstream as it gets. Nicki Minaj, Kanye West and a little Eminem here and there (when he's not doing parody songs...) is about as much as I can take before I push it away.
Of course, it's a no brainer that being an underground rapper doesn't make you a good rapper. But when some idols are introduced to the public, they like to emphasize that they have experience 'underground' thus making them better than all the other idols out there.
The only thing I could think of for underground rappers being more respectable is because these people are unknown and are making their own material. Idols that rap? Not so much. They have been heavily manufactured by their companies.
You judge a rapper by what they say, how they say it and how well they do it. Most idols don't come up with their raps, so you can't compare the two. They practically have nothing in common, get it?
I mentioned how of all the idols out there, the ones you can really compare and say, 'aha! these are idol rappers and not just idols that rap' are GD & TOP. Now, don't take this as a YG bias. After all, I'm more 2NE1 bias than BIG BANG bias yet I don't really think of CL as a 'rapper'.
The thing that makes GD&TOP different from rappers from other idol groups like 2PM or Ukiss, is that they've composed their own lyrics. Sure, again you might say, 'hey, just because they compose their music, doesn't make them good rappers much less if their compositions aren't well done.' Yes yes, but at least you can fairly compare them to 'underground rappers'. Or at least, my understanding of the definition. GD&TOP who DO do their own content, CAN be compared. There's a scale you have to go by, and idols don't have the prerequisites.
If you're just talking about delivery (which is the only thing they have in common...) then idols win. BAM. Why? Because they will be whipped if they aren't perfect ;D. I kid. But seriously... >.>
Now, mainstream Korea is different from mainstream U.S. Kanye West is my example of my defense of mainstream against underground in general. Kanye is definitely one of the top ten rappers of all time (1, 2, 3). Was he underground? No. But he can compose like no one else.
I am by no means a rap fan and the 'rap' I listen to is as mainstream as it gets. Nicki Minaj, Kanye West and a little Eminem here and there (when he's not doing parody songs...) is about as much as I can take before I push it away.
Of course, it's a no brainer that being an underground rapper doesn't make you a good rapper. But when some idols are introduced to the public, they like to emphasize that they have experience 'underground' thus making them better than all the other idols out there.
The only thing I could think of for underground rappers being more respectable is because these people are unknown and are making their own material. Idols that rap? Not so much. They have been heavily manufactured by their companies.
You judge a rapper by what they say, how they say it and how well they do it. Most idols don't come up with their raps, so you can't compare the two. They practically have nothing in common, get it?
I mentioned how of all the idols out there, the ones you can really compare and say, 'aha! these are idol rappers and not just idols that rap' are GD & TOP. Now, don't take this as a YG bias. After all, I'm more 2NE1 bias than BIG BANG bias yet I don't really think of CL as a 'rapper'.
The thing that makes GD&TOP different from rappers from other idol groups like 2PM or Ukiss, is that they've composed their own lyrics. Sure, again you might say, 'hey, just because they compose their music, doesn't make them good rappers much less if their compositions aren't well done.' Yes yes, but at least you can fairly compare them to 'underground rappers'. Or at least, my understanding of the definition. GD&TOP who DO do their own content, CAN be compared. There's a scale you have to go by, and idols don't have the prerequisites.
If you're just talking about delivery (which is the only thing they have in common...) then idols win. BAM. Why? Because they will be whipped if they aren't perfect ;D. I kid. But seriously... >.>
Now, mainstream Korea is different from mainstream U.S. Kanye West is my example of my defense of mainstream against underground in general. Kanye is definitely one of the top ten rappers of all time (1, 2, 3). Was he underground? No. But he can compose like no one else.
