"Poll question: True or False: A rap album isn't a rap album without a blackout verse"
Meaning there has to be at least one attempt by the MC to forego everything else and just black the fuck out on the spit. Concepts might be the exception but even then I think blackout verses can happen. I ain't tested this theory yet, but just realize that when i listen to a rap album I'm literally listening for the blackout verse. No matter how tight everything else might be, without that something feels lacking.
1. "We need to define "blackout verse" a bit more" In response to Reply # 0 Mon Oct-14-13 05:12 PM by Anonymous
Is there a bar limit?
Can it have a concept?
If there is a bar limit and it's a group album where the MCs evenly distribute the bars, does this mean a group like Kast doesn't have a rap album to their name?
2. "Even "Love Below" had a blackout verse" In response to Reply # 1
I said it could be conceptual. I think the key to a blackout verse though is just clear show and prove that one is masterful with their words. They they can lyrically hold you in the pocket for the length of a song without need for additives to make you think you like it.
4. "Saafir blacked out on "Fear Itself"" In response to Reply # 3
I consider "Against the Grain" a blackout joint, and that has a hook even if it's just repeat the name of the song.
It's one of those you know it when you hear i type things.
I think the value of the blackout verse is getting more and more lost. I mean there was a time when you had Organized Konfusion making whole albums of blackout verses (yes I realized I just broadened the scope too much). Nigga hear a beat. Don't think about hooks or being catchy, but is just got that oooohhhh imma murder that shit ethos.
5. "False-Goin Off By Biz Markie is an example" In response to Reply # 0
That's an undeniable classic to me without any "Blackout verse" and Biz isn't even really someone who that description would fit but it's still a great album and most definitely a real rap record.
8. "RE: BDK Blacked the fuck out on the title track" In response to Reply # 6
Well when you said the MC Blacked out I assumed you meant the guy who's album it was not a guest MC. I still think the point stands because Biz wasn't that kind of MC. Lots of my favorite MC's aren't. Jeru didn't on The Sun Rises In The East. Doug E Fresh isn't someone I would ever describe as blacking out on a track. Chuck D, Q Tip or Paris either unless you are expanding your definition of Blacking out to be extremely wide. I take Blacking out to mean an MC just going for his showing that no one can fuck with him (or her) on the mic on some straight I'm better than you type shit. I don't think you have to be in that lane to be Hip Hop or make a great rap album.
10. "Biz executed it perfectly so he blacked out too" In response to Reply # 8
Just wanted curb any well he ain't write it shit. I think I'm using blackout in the most liberal sense, state as much above. As an indication that at some point in the making of the album the artist set to show and prove they are a dope MC.
12. "So then executing a quality album is Blacking out to you?" In response to Reply # 10
>Just wanted curb any well he ain't write it shit. I think >I'm using blackout in the most liberal sense, state as much >above. As an indication that at some point in the making of >the album the artist set to show and prove they are a dope >MC.
13. "the *verse* itself was blackout" In response to Reply # 12 Tue Oct-15-13 01:54 PM by imcvspl
like can you see that, based on my descriptions so far liberal as they may be. it's a display of lyrical skill. Kane wrote it is the only 'complication'. But Biz owned it. He didn't fumble like Dre spitting a ___ verse... feel me?
It's not the execution of the song. it's owning the verse. Owning the mic for a verse.
I know folk use blackout for 40 bar spit and shit like that, but its the intent behind it not the length.
I fucked up using blackout because of that, but I don't know how else to describe
Redman made albums of blackout verses. I'm not even saying it has to be the best or good for that matter, it's just the attempt to show you da best on the mic has to be displayed somewhere.
"Goin Off" qualifies because on that track Biz is clearly just showing off even if BDK wrote it.
14. "Ok then I guess I misunderstood your intent" In response to Reply # 13
>like can you see that, based on my descriptions so far >liberal as they may be. it's a display of lyrical skill. Kane >wrote it is the only 'complication'. But Biz owned it. He >didn't fumble like Dre spitting a ___ verse... feel me? > >It's not the execution of the song. it's owning the verse. >Owning the mic for a verse. > >I know folk use blackout for 40 bar spit and shit like that, >but its the intent behind it not the length.
> >I fucked up using blackout because of that, but I don't know >how else to describe
Because that's exactly how I interpreted what you said. I think a lot of other people in here thought the same as me though. If someone asked me for examples of Blackout verses I would think of BDK, Canibus, Chino, OC, etc and not MC's like Biz, Chuck or Doug E Fresh who aren't trying to prove they are the best to ever touch a mic and murder MC's. > >Redman made albums of blackout verses. I'm not even saying it >has to be the best or good for that matter, it's just the >attempt to show you da best on the mic has to be displayed >somewhere.
See that's where I'm still not clear because I don't think Biz does that. His whole intent is the fun loving, weird, quirky, crowd rocking MC in that Busy Bee line of party MC's and not the Moe Dee or Caz model. Biz is much more concerned with making you laugh than "Blacking out" or "Killing It". > >"Goin Off" qualifies because on that track Biz is clearly just >showing off even if BDK wrote it.
25. "Nope... guarantee some of your favs have blackout verses" In response to Reply # 23
This has absolutely nothing to do with rappity rap. And reducing it to rappity rap is what's wrong with the perceptions of rap. Mofo's just need to accept the fact they don't like rap.
28. "It's not a great one without a blackout verse" In response to Reply # 0
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37. "u mean, when they just spit a written then free style at the end?" In response to Reply # 0
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