Rhyming and lyricism aren't the same thing

[Accor]

what did you think of lupe's last album, are you disappointed? i think i like it more than lasers but it's nowhere near his f&l

it was bad and made me incredibly sad

[Blu]

Blu won't be able to make a legendary thread because people know him now. He could've done it some times ago though.

Making legendary threads isn't about the OP. I could go into the Eminem Section right now and turn in thread I want into a legendary thread.

Making legendary/classic threads is all about the OP. People would automatically assume it's a troll if I made a thread in the Eminem section about him or his music.

[JamaicanPattlez]

I see lyricism more focus on WHAT you're saying, like the word choice. Words are powerful and they're able to paint pictures, so knowing what words to use and what words might hit the audience is huge. Same with similes, metaphors, alliteration, word play, stuff like that. Rhyming is a tool of lyricism, but since this is Hip Hop, the emphasis on rhyming is that more important... because I've seen a lot of people going "Yo, this nigga rhymes only two syllables?! WACK, get off the mic and go work at McDonalds!". Stringing multi-syllables doesn't always mean it's great, and me writing a lot and listening to other rappers made me come to that realization, however you're held in a high regard if your rhyming skills are top-notch PLUS you have a strong lyricism ability of painting a visual image without sacrificing anything. I believe that's what separates the greats from the average underground emcees today, technical impressive rhyming abilities plus being able to weave it in with a vivid image and story or topic/concept.

[classthe_king]

Blu won't be able to make a legendary thread because people know him now. He could've done it some times ago though.

Making legendary threads isn't about the OP. I could go into the Eminem Section right now and turn in thread I want into a legendary thread.

Making legendary/classic threads is all about the OP. People would automatically assume it's a troll if I made a thread in the Eminem section about him or his music.

That's why you go into a thread asking about an opinion on Eminem and then make it a negative one and watch the stans squirm

[Innovation]

I divide lyricism into rhyming, complexity (metaphors/wordplay etc.) and content. The content is basically what is being said i.e. the meaning of the words and the complexity and rhyming add to how you put that meaning together i.e. how you say it (the word choice).

You can have good content without a lot of rhyming (multies, alliteration, assonance, etc.) and without complexity. Example - 2Pac and Biggie.

To me, a rapper is good lyrically as long as he's saying something with great meaning i.e. has a great content, and if there's good rhyming and/or complexity involved then that's even better.

Whether you prefer good rhyming or complexity is totally up to you, but a lack of "good" rhyming or complexity by no means = bad lyricist; and that's what I think Blu is trying to say here, something that I agree with completely.

*For the record, I personally prefer complexity over rhyming.

This.