Do rappers that also produce deserve more credit?

[OMEGA]

I think so and I was wondering what others thought.

For me, a rapper definitely gets extra points if he has a balanced combination of his own great lyrics + great own beats. I think the ones that excel the most, and because of this, I'd consider them more "complete" artists are, obviously, Eminem, J.Cole and Big K.R.I.T. All of them dudes not only are great rappers, but they are also great producers. Kanye is an interesting option too, although his production vastly overshadows his rapping ability. I'd say the same about Dr. Dre; his production is 80/20 compared to his rapping.

So, does a rapper that writes and produces music gets extra points in your book, or you don't give a damn?

[classthe_king]

I think if you're looking at it from a music standpoint then yes, but if you're looking at it from a rapper standpoint then no. Rapping and producing are two separate entities in my book.

[Atone]

of course, it would be even cooler if they were their own dj, on stage pullin double duty lmao

[Willy]

Depends on what the artist is trying to do... Of course if an artist has a particular sound/style in his mind, there is no way a producer is going to be able to perfectly replicate what the artist envisions. So in that way, I think being a rapper/producer is definitely helpful in terms of the artist being able to create his art without compromise.

Just being a rapper/producer combination though is not enough for me to give them more credit as an artist. It all depends on the finished product.

So in summary, I think it gives them the potential to do greater things, but that does not necessarily always happen and it depends on the song/album/whatever.

[EminemBase]

Well, as class said, rapping and producing are separate things; so I don't think you could say someone is a better rapper, if they produce... however, a rapper producing their own music and rapping to it could be said to be better in the sense; if a rapper makes the beat that they rap to, they're going to naturally grasp melody, and song structure, and rhythm and all these things as a result, which could result in better, tighter rapping and a deeper understanding of technique.

But, they definitely deserve more credit as an artist. The more an artist does, the better they are to me. Because, all aspects contribute to what and who they are and appear to the public, and if I were an artist (which I am, I'm kind of the Universes n shit yo x), then I'd want to do it all, I'd want to be involved in every aspect of anything resulting in a new aspect of my art.

The video matters, the album covers matter, the font on the album covers matter... design matters, image matters, so you have all these things aside from the music even; but I'd also want to produce if I were a rapper, as that's the essential marriage (rap, and music) which results in the song, it's a huge huge factor in the mix, I think it's similar to a director who doesn't write their scripts. I have way more respect for directions that write and direct their own material aka QT. Because that makes it different, and in my opinion better; I have more respect because I think it shows the artist cares more, they don't want another mind creating a huge aspect of their work, and that's noble. That's how a great artist should be, a controlling fascist.

So, yes as artists, I think rappers that produce are better artists, and have more of an identity and deserve more credit. Because they're responsible for more of their art.

[dead prez]

They're two separate entities like class said so not really. I can understand why people would think so but it's not necessary, it also seems to me like rappers only get this treatment even though the production is completely absolved of this. I mean no one criticises a great producer if he mostly produces great albums for great rappers or makes instrumental only albums. Rapping and using your voice is still an instrument so it shouldn't be looked at like the rappers is filling an incomplete segment of work and being a lazy fuck by teaming up with a guest star of producers.

I have more respect for rappers that stick to rapping but try to find the best production they can or form a duo or whatever than one that just haphazardly makes his own beats but is completely unqualified for whatever reason and his beats end up sounding like gutter trash. Sure some great rappers can produce and vice versa but that usually isn't the case and one side usually ends up taking a backseat to the other.

Also completely unrelated but the greatest comic book writer of all time doesn't illustrate his own work (Alan Moore) does that somehow make him a lesser artist than someone who has a completely bland and cookie cutter art style that looks like it's rehashed every other comic.

[OMEGA]

Well, as class said, rapping and producing are separate things; so I don't think you could say someone is a better rapper, if they produce... however, a rapper producing their own music and rapping to it could be said to be better in the sense; if a rapper makes the beat that they rap to, they're going to naturally grasp melody, and song structure, and rhythm and all these things as a result, which could result in better, tighter rapping and a deeper understanding of technique.

But, they definitely deserve more credit as an artist. The more an artist does, the better they are to me. Because, all aspects contribute to what and who they are and appear to the public, and if I were an artist (which I am, I'm kind of the Universes n shit yo x), then I'd want to do it all, I'd want to be involved in every aspect of anything resulting in a new aspect of my art.

The video matters, the album covers matter, the font on the album covers matter... design matters, image matters, so you have all these things aside from the music even; but I'd also want to produce if I were a rapper, as that's the essential marriage (rap, and music) which results in the song, it's a huge huge factor in the mix, I think it's similar to a director who doesn't write their scripts. I have way more respect for directions that write and direct their own material aka QT. Because that makes it different, and in my opinion better; I have more respect because I think it shows the artist cares more, they don't want another mind creating a huge aspect of their work, and that's noble. That's how a great artist should be, a controlling fascist.

So, yes as artists, I think rappers that produce are better artists, and have more of an identity and deserve more credit. Because they're responsible for more of their art.

Good post man. Basically that's what I had on mind when creating the thread, but you explained it pretty well. Speaking of which, have you had a chance to listen to Big K.R.I.T.? If you haven't, and based on what you say on this post, this dude is the perfect example of a complete artist from top to bottom; writes his own stuff, produces his own stuff, his projects are amazingly cohesive and even the cover arts are part of the whole story.

[Elision]

I have a massive amount of respect for artists that produce their own work. Even if I don't necessarily like their music

[trentimus]

Like saying the lead vocalist of a band should get less credit because he has a guitar player in the band.

[Elision]

Like saying the lead vocalist of a band should get less credit because he has a guitar player in the band.

The lead singer of a band should get less credit than the lead singer who's also doing the guitarists work

[Fa-Q]

Listen m'ere....Eminem is the best rapper who is an amazing produces; Kanye is the best produces who is an amazing rapper.