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View Full Version : ATTN: Recording Artists That Write Lyrics


luke_warm
04-14-2008, 08:52 AM
I was bothered by Carrie Underwood singing about poverty on Idol Gives Back because I knew she didn't write her song. While she sung I kept wondering how much she really cared about the less fortunate and whether the passion she clearly had was empathy, grief, self pity, pennance, or an act. Whichever, I eventually wondered what the level of connectivity was that any artist could feel towards a song that was not their own.
I also wondered if it mattered, which of my favorite songs were not written by the artist who performed them, and what the difference between a great song written by the artist that performed it and the other was?

After going through all these thoughts I realized that I have much respect and admiration to anyone writting their own lyrics.

Similarly, what is the disconnect between vocalist and producer and how does this compare to artists who are both vocalists and producers of their own music? How well can a singer connect to a song they have wrote [written?] but did not produce? What about emcees? Is it possible even?

To what extent can an artist write lyrics, perform them, and produce the music and still then still approach classicness? If you have an opinion like every person is a professional at one thing and that is what they should do then you would probably agree that if your a singer, sing -don't write lyrics, if you're an emcee rap, don't make beats then you may not see the benefit and strength in this.

I think one of the great things about underground rap is that people like The Grouch, Style MISIA, Mr Brady, Count Bass D, and El-producto do this. When you listen to something that they release you know your almost looking at the world through their eyes.

Nasty
04-14-2008, 09:38 AM
I think one of the great things about underground rap is that people like The Grouch, Style MISIA, Mr Brady, Count Bass D, and El-producto do this. When you listen to something that they release you know your almost looking at the world through their eyes.

I agree, I really like when an artist does everything for their album. Lyrics to production to album artwork. Its really amazing when what you are experience is 100% one persons vision.

luke_warm
04-27-2008, 01:36 AM
Found an article on yahoo.com that says the same thing in a much more indirect way: http://new.us.music.yahoo.com/blogs/thelefsetzletter/1005/american-idol

Mad Squirrel
04-27-2008, 06:46 PM
Yeah, when I did my BIG SQUIRREL album, that's pretty much what it was all about. Except for that one song where Ayentee made the beat.

American Idol is Capitalist Propaganda!! You should know better.

luke_warm
04-29-2008, 01:42 AM
ive been thinking about this, and i don't really care too much.lots of lame'os write lyrics.

spearman
04-29-2008, 03:44 AM
I agree, I really like when an artist does everything for their album. Lyrics to production to album artwork. Its really amazing when what you are experience is 100% one persons vision.

yeah-that's cool and all, but sometimes you gotta leave certain aspects to the pros. like, my beats ain't shit. yeah, i can make them...but i wouldn't want to throw them on an album and call it a day. i can't draw worth shit...well, nothing other than a barely above par piece.

my strongest attribute is my mic skills. been doing it for a long, long time now and constantly concentrate on improving my craft and expanding as an emcee. (and i take that word serious...nothing worse than some new jack deciding he/she wants to rap all of a sudden and bestowing the title "emcee" upon themselves.)

so, basically, i try to connect with folks who's vibe coincides with my own and bring what i have to the table and let them bring theirs.

shit, i wish i was pumping out beats like pete rock or dilla...but it isn't my gift.


anyways, back to the original topic...yeah, i never really understood people who don't have any involvment in the creative process shining the most. i mean, it's cool to cover songs or whatevers...but to have somebody present you with a brand new song, new lyrics, instrumentation, arrangement, and then instruct you on how to hit the notes or lay the emphasis...what the fuck is that? unless you're an aretha franklin who can blow like no other...but if you're just a run of the mil singer then get the fuck outta here with that.

and it's 180% worse with these bitch motherfuckers in hip hop and their ghost writers. that shit is just blesphemy. if you can't write a rap that's worth putting out for the people to hear, then you just weren't built for this shit. if you need a ghost writer, then how the fuck are you gonna freestyle? you ain't. period.

now, i know, i know...the landscape has changed and mafuckas don't give a shit about hip hop anymore. they're only concerned with the "swagger", getting that scrilla, and all that other wak shit (nah-getting money isn't wak but...you know what i'm saying)....but still-have some fucking integrity ya ol' bitch made faggots.