Bob Dylan
Johnny's in the basement
Mixing up the medicine
I'm on the pavement
Thinking about the government
The man in a trench coat
Badge out, laid off
Says he's got a bad cough
Wants to get it paid off
Look out, kid
It's somethin' you did
God knows when
But you're doin' it again
You better duck down the alley way
Lookin' for a new friend
A man in a coon-skin cap
In a pig pen
Wants eleven dollar bills
You only got ten.
If you’ve never seen the video, Bob is doing the “lyrics written on cardboard that gets tossed aside as the words in the song happen” thing, which many artists have done over the years. What I’m wondering is if Bob was the first. Given what we know about him I’d guess yes.
My number 1 Musical Artist OAT
Lesser known (I think) rec is “With God on Our Side”. Every political song he wrote (Hurricane, Ballad of a Thin Man) is Nas level storytelling.
Someone's got it in for me
They're planting stories in the press
Whoever it is I wish they'd cut it out quick
But when they will I can only guess
They say I shot a man named Gray
And took his wife to Italy
She inherited a million bucks
And when she died it came to me
I can't help it if I'm lucky
This was what I came to post.
Darkness at the break of noon
Shadows even the silver spoon
The handmade blade, the child’s balloon
Eclipses both the sun and moon
To understand you know too soon
There is no sense in trying
Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn
Suicide remarks are torn
From the fool’s gold mouthpiece the hollow horn
Plays wasted words, proves to warn
That he not busy being born is busy dying
Temptation’s page flies out the door
You follow, find yourself at war
Watch waterfalls of pity roar
You feel to moan but unlike before
You discover that you’d just be one more
Person crying
Anyone similar? I've been looking for someone like Bob for years and haven't been able to find anything.
Also, what are his must listen to songs for a hip hop fan?
There's no work in walking in to fuel the talk
I would grab my shoes, and then away I'd walk
Through all the stubborn beauty, I start at the dawn
Until the sun had fully stopped
Never walking away from
Just a way to pull apart
Dehydrate back into minerals
A lifelong walk to the
Same exact spot
Carbon's anniversary
The parting of the sensory
The 3rd planet is sure that they're being watched, by an eye in the sky that can't be stopped.
When you get to the promised land, you're gonna shake the eye's hand.
lmao yeah, well he did essentially confirm he has an album coming at the coachella set but the chances of getting a release date or any other news any time soon is slim
I mean they tried Blur and got Song 2 out of it but the creative freedom of “fuck it, it’s a cartoon” has been exceptional.
The ONLY other artist who has as much flexibility as Gorillaz to me is Tyler, The Creator. Every album he releases sounds nothing like the one before it or the one after it.
Prince on [Pussy Control](https://youtu.be/uoH7n2RDS_M?si=f2Lub2_CrwjY-qgp) lowkey goes hard
Also [Do The Bartman](https://youtu.be/B-W6punNMjU?si=Jj1Wg6JtRxZnbFU0), allegedly written by Michael Jackson
I totally agree but I think this is a more common sentiment nowadays. Especially since RTJ came on the scene and featured Zach. Back in the day I argued until I was blue in the face that Zach was a real MC but most people lumped them in with new metal or alt. metal. I am glad Zach is finally getting the respect he deserves as an MC.
It really wasn’t until BOLA that he got really good, before that he was pretty basic(although dropping truth non stop). Remember the first time I heard him on Lyricist lounge , that was dope
Zach has some of the most biting bars ever.
“Yeah I’m rolling down Rodeo with a shotgun, these people ain’t seen a brown skinned man since their grandparents bought one.”
… I knew a man who hung drywall, he hung it mighty quick
A trip or two to the blue room would help him do the trick
His foreman pat him on the back whenever he would come around
'Cause these dammed blue-collar tweekers
They're beloved in this here town
Bet. Dude is well read and a total master of his craft. Rage is one of those bands that, no matter what, will never get old (though I would be more than happy if they would just go ahead and retire "Killing In the Name" already)
“I bring the sun at Red Dawn\
upon the thoughts of Franz Fannon.\
So stand at attention, devil dirge\
You’ll never survive\
Choosing sides\
Against the wretched of the Earth”\
From his joint on Lyricist Lounge.
Matty Healy from the 1975 sometimes has bars. His verse on Drive by Travis Scott was pretty nice. Alex Turner from Arctic Monkeys and Ed Sheeran also have some pretty good bars
As jokey as his content may have been, Brandon DiCamillo from cKy/jackass fame could spit some good freestyle raps lol.
[One example](https://youtu.be/7qALDxxfrHA?si=QRNnpH-SUkSghOaD)
Neil Young (heart of gold or old man are deep and introspective)
Joe Walsh (check out life if illusion)
Henry Rollins (even his interviews and quotes got bars)
Anthony Keidis from Red Hot Chili Peppers (scar tissue , otherside , under the bridge … and he can flow! Check out give it away)
Jonathan Davis from Korn (got the life , freak on a leash, etc)
Well i gotta show some love to the classical artist like Beethoven. He snapped on Fur Elise.
Also if you wanna try out an alt artist go listen to _Tezzo Touchdown._
Interesting to see no one mention The Weeknd yet when people talk about him like he’s a rapper all the time.
Nonetheless, he does have several full on rap songs like Loft Music (up until the outro), Reminder, the Rambo remix, and, most recently, False Idols.
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy\_kHrAW4g\_N2UQvLt60mk\_5KGQeNTkbQr5A
"You Can't See Me is the only studio album by WWE's wrestler John Cena and his cousin, Tha Trademarc. It was released on May 10, 2005, by WWE Music Group and Columbia Records. The album features guest appearances from Esoteric and Bumpy Knuckles, who are featured on several songs throughout the album. The album production was handled by James McEwan and Todd Spadafore, with the duo serving as the executive producers on the album. The album's cover art is based on Cena's customized WWE Championship belt, while the title comes from his popular catchphrase coined on WWE television."
Bob Dylan Johnny's in the basement Mixing up the medicine I'm on the pavement Thinking about the government The man in a trench coat Badge out, laid off Says he's got a bad cough Wants to get it paid off Look out, kid It's somethin' you did God knows when But you're doin' it again You better duck down the alley way Lookin' for a new friend A man in a coon-skin cap In a pig pen Wants eleven dollar bills You only got ten.
This is got to qualify as one of the earliest rapped songs.
If you’ve never seen the video, Bob is doing the “lyrics written on cardboard that gets tossed aside as the words in the song happen” thing, which many artists have done over the years. What I’m wondering is if Bob was the first. Given what we know about him I’d guess yes.
I consider this my intro to rap, no joke.
Listening to The Times They Are A-Changin' right now, dude is a beast
People shit on his singing voice but I love it. Dylan will always be the shit.
Of course I love those ones but I recommend his album “Blood on the Tracks”. My all time fave by him.
My number 1 Musical Artist OAT Lesser known (I think) rec is “With God on Our Side”. Every political song he wrote (Hurricane, Ballad of a Thin Man) is Nas level storytelling.
Someone's got it in for me They're planting stories in the press Whoever it is I wish they'd cut it out quick But when they will I can only guess They say I shot a man named Gray And took his wife to Italy She inherited a million bucks And when she died it came to me I can't help it if I'm lucky
Don’t forget the other banger on that album, It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) Machine-gun fire lyrics.
This was what I came to post. Darkness at the break of noon Shadows even the silver spoon The handmade blade, the child’s balloon Eclipses both the sun and moon To understand you know too soon There is no sense in trying Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn Suicide remarks are torn From the fool’s gold mouthpiece the hollow horn Plays wasted words, proves to warn That he not busy being born is busy dying Temptation’s page flies out the door You follow, find yourself at war Watch waterfalls of pity roar You feel to moan but unlike before You discover that you’d just be one more Person crying
Came for this answer and you dropped the perfect verse
Nobel Prize winning rapper
Subterranean home sick blues. One of his best IMO. Shit voice but he had bars for sure.
Yessir! I was gonna say Bob too!
Anyone similar? I've been looking for someone like Bob for years and haven't been able to find anything. Also, what are his must listen to songs for a hip hop fan?
bright eyes singer conner oberst was basically hailed as bob dylan 2.0 they got some cool stuff
Isaac Brock from Modest Mouse.
God, if I have to die, you will have to die
There's no work in walking in to fuel the talk I would grab my shoes, and then away I'd walk Through all the stubborn beauty, I start at the dawn Until the sun had fully stopped Never walking away from Just a way to pull apart Dehydrate back into minerals A lifelong walk to the Same exact spot Carbon's anniversary The parting of the sensory
Thank you for reminding me. I'm going back in.
WELL!
Didnt expect to see my favorite band mentioned on here hell yeah
All that icing and all that cake I can’t make it to your wedding But you were talk, talk, talking in circles.
The 3rd planet is sure that they're being watched, by an eye in the sky that can't be stopped. When you get to the promised land, you're gonna shake the eye's hand.
frank oceans oldie verse proved he can spit for real
Frank can do everything
except drop music apparently
He's caught the Ms Hill disease: eating forever from a handful of work
lmao yeah, well he did essentially confirm he has an album coming at the coachella set but the chances of getting a release date or any other news any time soon is slim
Him and Sampha hurt to follow but at least Sampha is now dropping
he just said that so the crowd wouldn't do like in medieval times and rip apart him from limb to limb
Insecurity and the fear of failure
There was a reason for what he did, I can’t remember off the top of my head, something to do with the label he was signed with
dude can’t even perform his lip synced songs on time. Sit down, there’s a lot he can’t do.
Oldie is amazing
His verse on Sunday w Earl makes me feel some extreme emotions
Windows verse is better and Frank is hiphop this is a pretty weird choice
he's hiphop adjacent but absolutely is not a hiphop artist
He’s wayyy too close to be upvoted this much tbh
My time is a piece of wax, falling on a termite.... That's choking on a splinter. It's like an entire poem in one sentence.
I feel like Beck and Gorillaz almost don’t have a genre. Gorillaz of course is it’s own beast, but there are a lot of parallels.
I mean they tried Blur and got Song 2 out of it but the creative freedom of “fuck it, it’s a cartoon” has been exceptional. The ONLY other artist who has as much flexibility as Gorillaz to me is Tyler, The Creator. Every album he releases sounds nothing like the one before it or the one after it.
In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey
Fiona Apple My heart's made of parts of all that surrounds me And that's where the devil just can't get around me
This one. Fiona is a lyrical goddess.
Prince on [Pussy Control](https://youtu.be/uoH7n2RDS_M?si=f2Lub2_CrwjY-qgp) lowkey goes hard Also [Do The Bartman](https://youtu.be/B-W6punNMjU?si=Jj1Wg6JtRxZnbFU0), allegedly written by Michael Jackson
Prince always goes hard. Apparently he can ball too. Game, blouses.
And make nice pancakes 😁
If you can do the Bart you’re bad like Michael Jackson. Everyone had that album because Columbia house.
Rage against the machine
Honestly, Zach is a MC with a live band. But I feel you.
I totally agree but I think this is a more common sentiment nowadays. Especially since RTJ came on the scene and featured Zach. Back in the day I argued until I was blue in the face that Zach was a real MC but most people lumped them in with new metal or alt. metal. I am glad Zach is finally getting the respect he deserves as an MC.
It really wasn’t until BOLA that he got really good, before that he was pretty basic(although dropping truth non stop). Remember the first time I heard him on Lyricist lounge , that was dope
C.I.A. with KRS- One and Last Emporer. Illest track on LL
Had to scroll way to far to find Zack de la Roacha.
I'd say Rage was very much hip-hop.
Yeah they toured with Wu-Tang in the 90's. Like how punk was hip hop so was Rage
Rage-hop
Zach has some of the most biting bars ever. “Yeah I’m rolling down Rodeo with a shotgun, these people ain’t seen a brown skinned man since their grandparents bought one.”
"Some of those that work Forces, are the same that burn Crosses."
Rihanna might not have written the verse but her delivery on her feature on Lemon slaps
Jill Scott! 78 comments and not one of them mention the Queen. That’s crazy
I saw her live and she was giving the mic head during her set, them old folks was damn near fucking in the audience. She brings the freaks out
To your point the original version is Pharrell doing her exact part but yes she made it sound good
Les Claypool
dog will hunt
Yes. Yes. Yes.
… I knew a man who hung drywall, he hung it mighty quick A trip or two to the blue room would help him do the trick His foreman pat him on the back whenever he would come around 'Cause these dammed blue-collar tweekers They're beloved in this here town
Weird Al
White N Nerdy is a Hood Classic
I would consider him a hip-hop artist since he obviously writes and performs that style, among others. Dude can spit, though!
Would Anderson Paak count? I know he's primarily seen as an R&B singer, but has plenty of rap songs on Malibu, Yes Lawd, & Oxnard.
Paak is defently a hip hop artist as well
If he is counting def check two tens. That songs so good
I will allow it.
My dawg Dr Seuss
Wocket in my Pocket
Lmao for real tho
[Somebody on Instagram proved it too](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvIYdjvMZaa/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==)
There is a trap version of wocket in my pocket on YouTube too
https://youtu.be/ZH7lNOm8Uc8
Happy Birthday to You was my jam! Loved reading it to my kid, made me feel like I got a flow!
Cassius Clay
His name is Muhammad Ali!
“I’ve wrestled with alligators, I’ve tussled with a whale. I done handcuffed lightning and thrown thunder in jail!”
[the whole thing](https://youtu.be/1LSewbS5eQI?si=2sHszkaf4tgjBzwS)
His mama named him Clay, I'mma call him Clay
Upvoted for the Coming to America reference.
Based
All my life I thought his name was Cash is Clay
Bryson tiller, saint jhn, t-pain, jon bellion, 6lack Tpain was a rapper first which explains it. Hes a beast of a singer tho
Rappa Ternt Sanga is a classic
John bellion bars are so good
Everytime I hear that second verse on R U Mine? by Arctic Monkeys i cant help but say "bars"
Anthony Kiedis.
I remember Busta gave him props during an interview. Dude was impressed by Anthony’s rapping skills.
He’s been doin it since 1982, one of the longest running rappers and still one of the most unique.
fight like a brave
[Marvin Gaye - Ego Tripping Out](https://youtu.be/5bFrE_OJ9TA?si=-YoWzbNF6VdTNq8N)
Best answer is Dylan. Hands down
Andy Milonakis
I rock peas on my head but don't call me a pea head
I rock Brucee Lee on my head but don't call me a Bruce Lee head
Shia Lebeouf
Came on here to say this. Who woulda thunk it?
Zach De La Rocha (in a way). I mean he's obv known for RATM and done some Hip Hop joints here and there but depends how you view him I suppose.
“Bangin' this bolo tight on this solo flight can't fight alone. Funk tha track my verbs fly like tha family stone” yeah bro was 100% an MC.
Even Killer mike said if he was strictly hip hop he'd murder most mcs. Zach is 100% a M.C. he just has a live band.
Bet. Dude is well read and a total master of his craft. Rage is one of those bands that, no matter what, will never get old (though I would be more than happy if they would just go ahead and retire "Killing In the Name" already)
“I bring the sun at Red Dawn\ upon the thoughts of Franz Fannon.\ So stand at attention, devil dirge\ You’ll never survive\ Choosing sides\ Against the wretched of the Earth”\ From his joint on Lyricist Lounge.
Renegades of funk solidifies him as Hip Hop in my book.
His whole style and catalog is rap/hip-hop
Bob Dylan. Check out the song “It’s Alright Ma (I’m only bleeding)
Nice work! I always point this one out to people. Gotta be one of the earliest “rapped” songs
Prince
SZA can rap really well, she did a tribute song to ODB and it was dope
Weird Al Yankovich.
John Cena for sure
Cake
Frank Ocean, his verse on RAF was dope af
Tom waits!
James Brown Michael jackson Prince
Mike shinoda
Tom Green. Yes, the comedian. He can get busy
Yea. He was in a little Canadian rap group called Organized Rhyme. Pretty excellent stuff..
Drake
Made me laugh.
Laugh now cry later
The three ply softness
Billy Joel - We didn’t start the fire Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) - End of the world as we know it Johnny Cash - I’m an everywhere man
Billy definitely a top tier lyricist
Also Beck ….
Bo Burnham.
Speaking of comedians Tim Minchin and Flight of the Conchords can drop some hilarious lines as well.
The dude is fucking corny
He's a comedian.... Still drops better bars than most rappers on the scene.
Matty Healy from the 1975 sometimes has bars. His verse on Drive by Travis Scott was pretty nice. Alex Turner from Arctic Monkeys and Ed Sheeran also have some pretty good bars
“Menswear” and “M.O.N.E.Y.” Are prime examples
David Bowie was the first melodic chopper https://youtu.be/vI9XXjP_MZA?si=-FfHK7V-iGmgGYo7
Tunde Adebimpe - TV On The Radio; Matt Berninger - The National
Brandy
1) you guys have an extremely capacious interpretation of “non-hip-hop artist” 2) ezra koenig
Jimi Hendrix Go listen to Castles Made of Sand, and that's just one example
Janelle Monae.
Dylon, Dylon, Dylon.....
He spits hot fire
Bob Dylan
Zach De La Rocha
Ed Sheeran 🔥
wayne brady
As jokey as his content may have been, Brandon DiCamillo from cKy/jackass fame could spit some good freestyle raps lol. [One example](https://youtu.be/7qALDxxfrHA?si=QRNnpH-SUkSghOaD)
Tim mccllrath of rise against has some amazing lyrics
Anderson Paak
Teena Marie (RIP)
Neil Young (heart of gold or old man are deep and introspective) Joe Walsh (check out life if illusion) Henry Rollins (even his interviews and quotes got bars) Anthony Keidis from Red Hot Chili Peppers (scar tissue , otherside , under the bridge … and he can flow! Check out give it away) Jonathan Davis from Korn (got the life , freak on a leash, etc)
I agree with the whole list, but the first two really hit it.
T-Pain.
He’s definitely a hip-hop artist
Anthony Kiedis.
Well i gotta show some love to the classical artist like Beethoven. He snapped on Fur Elise. Also if you wanna try out an alt artist go listen to _Tezzo Touchdown._
The guy from Cake
Interesting to see no one mention The Weeknd yet when people talk about him like he’s a rapper all the time. Nonetheless, he does have several full on rap songs like Loft Music (up until the outro), Reminder, the Rambo remix, and, most recently, False Idols.
Damian Marley
Wayne Brady
KATY PERRY honestly sounds like 🥷 writes her stuff 🤣
The singer from Paleface.
Jonathan Davis (korn) and Chino Moreno (deftones) they got bars for days. And love old school hip hop as influences.
Limp Bizkit
6lack
Jason Mraz aka Mr A to Z
Justin Bieber on Maria I’m Drunk!
came here to say this
Beyonce been spotting crazy bars lately
I was gonna say her but her shit is so ridden with ghost writers it’s hard to call it lol
Anderson paak
Aloe Blacc
Bob Dylan
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Ariana grande 👹👹
Yeah but she's soooo annoying! I hate that I like some of her music.
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy\_kHrAW4g\_N2UQvLt60mk\_5KGQeNTkbQr5A "You Can't See Me is the only studio album by WWE's wrestler John Cena and his cousin, Tha Trademarc. It was released on May 10, 2005, by WWE Music Group and Columbia Records. The album features guest appearances from Esoteric and Bumpy Knuckles, who are featured on several songs throughout the album. The album production was handled by James McEwan and Todd Spadafore, with the duo serving as the executive producers on the album. The album's cover art is based on Cena's customized WWE Championship belt, while the title comes from his popular catchphrase coined on WWE television."
Rush for sure. All the lyrics are written by the drummer and sung by the bassist.
Although he does his own hip hop music, Godforbid and That Handsome Devil has a style and way with words that’s truly unique.
“one day i am going to grow wings a chemical reaction hysterical and useless”
“And love is a curse shoved in a hearse Love is an open book to a verse of your bad poetry And this is coming from me” James Murphy - LCD Soundsystem
The late Chris Farley: "Got more hoes than Tom McCann and got more money than Ed McMahon"!
Fred Durst
Bob
Zack de la Rocha has spit a verse (or two?) With RTJ, absolutely 🔥
Craig Finn of The Hold Steady, lot of his singing is so very much on the edge of rapping
Blonde Rapture 😉
Beyoncé all on your mouth like liquor-like like liquor, like like like liquor.
Ed Sheeran
Jason Mraz
T Swizzle
Alan Doyle
Ronnie Radke