Lyrical rap has seen its spotlight fade in the mainstream, with artists like Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole being the rare exceptions on today’s radio waves. The shift from intricate wordplay and storytelling to melody-driven, vibe-first rap like that of Lil Uzi Vert and Future has sparked debates about whether the genre’s substance is being lost. While tracks like Nas’ "Illmatic" and Biggie’s "Juicy" used to balance flow with meaning, modern rap, driven by trap beats and autotune, often prioritizes sound over message. But is this change killing lyrical rap, or just evolving it into something new?
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