"What metaphor/similes should be retired for good in rap."
Let's identified all the most overused rap metaphors/similes. I will kick it off with the following worst offenders:
1. Set It Off like 2. Life is a Bitch....
As an ancillary topic. Anyone else get the feeling that metaphors in general are overused in hip-hop these days? I mean it has become the dominate literary device used by MCs, when back in the day it was one tool in an MCs arsenal.
I say metaphors are overuse because the repeat value of a metaphoric punchline is pretty low. See Lil' Wayne's last few CDs.
Joe Corn Mo Member since Aug 29th 2010 15139 posts
Tue Feb-28-12 11:36 AM
1. "i totally agree w/ this..." In response to Reply # 0
>As an ancillary topic. Anyone else get the feeling that >metaphors in general are overused in hip-hop these days? I >mean it has become the dominate literary device used by MCs, >when back in the day it was one tool in an MCs arsenal. > >I say metaphors are overuse because the repeat value of a >metaphoric punchline is pretty low. See Lil' Wayne's last few >CDs.
come to think about it, most of my favorite lines ain't even metaphores.
i like the ones that are dropped casually that you wouldn't even notice right away.
"heron got less steps than britney/ that means it ain't stepped on, get me?"
TRANSLATION (that i caught months later) britney spears ain't got no steps... cut to her awkwardly "dancing."
>come to think about it, >most of my favorite lines ain't even metaphores. > >i like the ones that are dropped casually >that you wouldn't even notice right away.
This is the difference between Resurrection Common and Finding Forever Common, and the former I (and I'd hope everyone) prefer FAR more.
>"heron got less steps than britney/ >that means it ain't stepped on, get me?" > > >TRANSLATION (that i caught months later) >britney spears ain't got no steps... >cut to her awkwardly "dancing."
Right. Part of the fun of stuff like that is figuring it out years later and being like "HA!". It keeps the song resonating longer than a straightforward metaphor does.
9. "I think there is a lot of great rap that doesn't rely too much on simili..." In response to Reply # 5
especially thinking about Golden Era stuff. I remember Phife Dawg getting clowned on Midnight Marauders for doing stuff that Lil' Wayne does now on every track.
8. "I'm actually over comparisons using like or as entirely." In response to Reply # 0
I could totally do a year without any similes. There are tons of metaphors that are played as well but specifically anything personified as a woman has got to go away forever. The next song where hip hop is you girl, or your friend, or your drug, your pet/anything else should result in the maker of that song being shot in the face.
Also for anyone looking for played out metaphors just listen to any of commons last 3 albums (I love the guys music but he comes with some stale metaphors)
12. "Take it back like (insert anything)" In response to Reply # 0
I've been against this phrase ever since Chali 2Na used it two different ways in one song, "take it back like chiropractors" and "take it back like Robin Locksley."
Let's take it back like clothes that don't fit and get rid of it.
25. "DO THE RIGHT THING LIKE SPIKE LEE" In response to Reply # 0
Holy fuck I literally get ANGRY every time I hear a rapper say some shit like that. When Black Thought made that reference on HIGO I was literally disappointed in him.