Kendrick is a 9-10 to me. Joey is a 7. I don't think Kendrick only outshines him in delivery/uniqueness/style, but he's also just a stronger writer in general. Kendrick can deliver conceptually, he can tell stories, he can get introspective, he's got rhyme schemes when he wants, he can convey characters outside of himself. Only element he's really missing is punchlines, but that's just not the type of rapper he is.
Joey is good, but much more undeveloped. His talent is there, but it's too raw for me to give him an 8 or higher. Maybe this comparison will be more even in 3-4 years.
3. "Using that logic that means you have Redman as a 7/10 lyricist" In response to Reply # 2 Mon Mar-17-14 12:21 PM by Starks dunked on Bul
>Kendrick is a 9-10 to me. Joey is a 7. I don't think Kendrick >only outshines him in delivery/uniqueness/style, but he's also >just a stronger writer in general. Kendrick can deliver >conceptually, he can tell stories, he can get introspective, >he's got rhyme schemes when he wants, he can convey characters >outside of himself. Only element he's really missing is >punchlines, but that's just not the type of rapper he is. > >Joey is good, but much more undeveloped. His talent is there, >but it's too raw for me to give him an 8 or higher. Maybe this >comparison will be more even in 3-4 years.
Kendrick and Joey have different styles. Kendrick spits concepts/stories. And just like Redman, Joey spits irrelevant lyrics.
Just because you prefer story's doesnt mean Kendrick is a far better lyricist.
5. "??? Redman told stories, rapped from different personalities, " In response to Reply # 3
could do rhyme scheme/pattern based verses, had introspective nuggets in his songs, could do punchlines etc. so based on Ketchums metrics he definitely would not be a "7". _________________________________________
Lately I've had the strangest feeling.... that you were GOOOONNNNEEEE
6. "Joey tells stories as often as Redman" In response to Reply # 5
>could do rhyme scheme/pattern based verses, had introspective >nuggets in his songs, could do punchlines etc. so based on >Ketchums metrics he definitely would not be a "7". >_________________________________________ > >Lately I've had the strangest feeling.... that you were >GOOOONNNNEEEE
Believe it or not, Joey has stories too.
But for the most part, I wouldn't classify them as concept rappers like Kendrick.
7. "It isn't Kendrick's "story."" In response to Reply # 3 Mon Mar-17-14 12:43 PM by Ketchums
It's that Kendrick is a better writer. He does just about everything he does at a 9 level, while Joey is only a 7 level at what he does, IMO. I'm familiar with Joey's style, I've listened to his records. But if you want to show me examples of some of these metaphors you think I'm sleeping on, I'll check them out.
I'm not calling Joey trash, but I don't think he's close to Kendrick at all. Not sure if you watch basketball, but it's like comparing LeBron James to Damian Lillard: even though they play completely different positions and have different skill sets, it's still clear which one is the better player.
Maybe a better comparison would've been Overly Dedicated Kendrick vs. current Joey Bada$$? I don't think it's even a good comparison right now because of how much further along Kendrick is. I think Joey is talented, but I think he's more skilled at delivering certain feel than he is at being an actual lyricist; not to say that he isn't lyrical, because he is. But Kendrick is top 5 lyricists right now, and Joey isn't even a top 10-15 lyricist.
21. "^^^^^^^^^^^ Doesen't listen to Joey Badass^^^^^^^^^^^^^^" In response to Reply # 2
>Kendrick is a 9-10 to me. Joey is a 7. I don't think Kendrick >only outshines him in delivery/uniqueness/style, but he's also >just a stronger writer in general. Kendrick can deliver >conceptually, he can tell stories, he can get introspective, >he's got rhyme schemes when he wants, he can convey characters >outside of himself. Only element he's really missing is >punchlines, but that's just not the type of rapper he is. > >Joey is good, but much more undeveloped. His talent is there, >but it's too raw for me to give him an 8 or higher. Maybe this >comparison will be more even in 3-4 years.
23. "I bumped 1999 pretty tough for a while..." In response to Reply # 21
Summer Knights did nothing for me. but it's not like I've never listened to the guy. I think he's dope; just not as dope as Kendrick. To me, 8 is elite - Joey's a notch under that.
4. "The "lyricist" term is a loophole here, Kendrick is a much better writer" In response to Reply # 0
>I would give both of them an 8.5/10. > >Kendrick outshines Joey in other ways delivery, uniqueness, >style, voice, etc. > >But when it comes to the lyrics, I think they are in the same >class. > >Agreed?
and that's what matters. However if you call it "lyricism" you can always make a mystified argument that they are on the same level.
_________________________________________
Lately I've had the strangest feeling.... that you were GOOOONNNNEEEE
16. "I actually only rate Kendrick at an 8 for lyrics" In response to Reply # 0
I love K-Dot but he has made me scrunch my face up once or twice. 8.5. Pharoahe is a 9. Kurupt at times hit a 9 but mostly hovered around 8.5. Joey is more of a 7.5 or a 7. Both are very good though in different ways.
17. "both hover between 7 and 8" In response to Reply # 0
nowhere near 1o and neither probably will ever improve that much
__________________________________________ CHOP-THESE-BITCHES!!!! ------------------------------------ Garhart Ivanhoe Poppwell Un-OK'd moderator for The Lesson and Make The Music (yes, I do's work up in here, and in your asscrease if you run foul of this
18. "pure rap skill or as an artist?" In response to Reply # 0
Kendrick 9-9.5
Joey 8
I guess it implies pure rap skill when you say lyrically, but lyrics also implies songs/songwriting skills to me which is somewhat different to me than pure rapping.
I would consider pure rap skill to be who would spit a doper freestyle over the same beat. In pure skill I would definitely give Kendrick the 9.5 and Joey I might drop to a 7.5.
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
The Lesson
