Look at it this way, Madlib releases about 5 albums a year. Even then, it's breathtakingly complex stuff. He's dedicated as well as mega talented.

Iunno about that...unless you can provide some examples. He has some pretty original style though, especially quasimoto


Your favorite rapper?

Madlib produced him, guaranteed.

I guess my examples would be anything Madlib has rapped on versus anything Black Thought has rapped on. I've always considered Black Thought only a so-so rapper honestly.

anything madlib has rapped on eh?

even Madlib knows he's a horrible rapper, he says hes a DJ first, producer second and rapper dead last, there is no way that he is more talented than Black Thought

What's your point? I'm not arguing that he's a great lyricist. In fact, I'm not even arguing that he's a great rapper, just that he's better than Black Thought.

You're right that he's better at other things than he is at rapping. And yet he's still better than Black Thought!

Just how bad do you think Black Thought is?
Even if he's totally generic (which he totally is) he's still technically more proficient then madlib.

His voice is better(which is why madlib uses speeds it up or does effect) and his rhymes are actually coherent..

I feel like your being a little snobby janzoon :(

Well at least we agree that Black Thought is kind of generic! And I don't hate The Roots or anything, by the way, I just don't think Black Thought's rapping is what makes them a good band.

I don't know how you measure who is "technically" better and I don't really care honestly, the end result is what's important to me. Madlib's vocals are unique, interesting and entertaining, all of which require talent to pull off well. Black Thought's vocals are serviceable. They work in the context of The Roots music and that's fine but I don't think he's tremendously talented compared to other rappers.

Because I think Madlib is more talented than The Roots? How is that snobby? Are you being snobby for having the opposite opinion?

No, you already know i agree with him being better overall. Saying he is a better rapper is blasphemous

When you compare The Roots and Madlib, you have to take into account that most of what you hear when you are listening to The Roots is live. Madlib on the other hand primarily samples. So as far as technical ability goes, The Roots win by a long shot. It takes far longer to get good on an instrument than it does to learn how to produce, and whether production is quality or not is subjective. I like Madlib waaaaaay more than the Roots, but when it comes to raw talent, you have to admit the roots win.

Definitely not. 90% of the time, black thought is far ahead of Madlib lyrically. Just because he has a weird voice doesn't mean he's good at rapping (the Unseen is the only album of his that I've actually enjoyed his verses on). He certainly isn't a better rapper, but Madlib is more creative and more fun to listen to.