to you?

Answers don’t have to be logical and ofc we getting old af to where we not even the target demographic anymore but still

What would bring back the (perceived) excitement it had from 96-2015/18ish?

more top tier artists putting on small tier artists, on some risky s*** like for example ye giving nine vicious a chance to go crazy on adlibs for THIS A MUST and MAMAS FAVORITE

s*** can make rap a bit more interesting when we not using the same 5 features all the time

or top tier artists hopping on underground beats, like i was expecting to hear rocky on some crazy f1lthy s***

Make songs that the whole nation wants to sing and dance to again, songs they’d want to quote. Start from there

End of the opioid epidemic

actual songwriting not just vibes

Good lyrics

I deadass think we just don't have enough actual rappers anymore. That's not even to say the d***ged out crooning niggas shouldn't exist or have their own space, but they've completely taken over the game. That's why it's still an event when Drake, Cole, Kendrick or even Kanye drops. Them niggas should've been replaced by now

Another Ill Mind of Hopsin.

i could easily see a scenario where we look at the deaths of XXXTENTACION, juice WRLD, and pop smoke collectively as the death of mainstream rap.

even at the time they died i thought it was a massive blow to the future of the genre, but now i look it as downright fatal. there was really no one whatsoever lined up to take their place as the standard bearers of the next generation.

to answer your question though...i guess just artists who are good at rapping but have some pop sensibilities? the bar is on the floor, honestly.

Isn't it insane that there hasn't been a "big 3" in over a decade? I don't have the answers. But one of the issues that crosses my mind is that we live in a short attention/instant gratification era. Back then, labels had to not only invest in their artist but also back them to ensure their investment was worth it. We don't have that anymore. Money is able to be made without labels and I feel like the independent wave made Hip-Hop too accessible for too many people. The excitement isn't concentrated anymore.

all the answers so far bein "make monoculture chart friendly hits" got it

We’re in an exciting time rn. Lot of great new artists just getting signed to majors or getting buzz on their own but it’s happening

I’ve been saying for years that should be a whole separate genre and both genres would thrive for it

But niggas for some dumbass reason get so butthurt at the idea of Carti Thug Uzi Travis not being actual rap music

Why would a nigga try to learn how to skillfully rap when he can just croon some bullshit throw Autotune on it and “have aura” which just means let Ian connor (or whatever hypebeast or high fashion mf of the week) style you in some bullshit and take weird ass pictures

They had their strengths but i think people overdo that whole “the next generation of rap died with them”

X was special in that he was like the anti Drake (can do any genre/subgenre, at times lyrical but had substance) and Pop smoke could have been one of those ones but imo Juice wouldnt be that out of place in the modern rap landscape to where he’d change much. Pop smoke could have ended up like Lil Tjay or Lil Baby where people just got tired of their whole “thing” as a rapper. Xxx had the most potential but i dont think any of them were above some of the plights that has kinda made most rappers we have now not that exciting

They were not the last 3 intriguing rappers to ever grace earth, salute to them and respect/no negative energy to the dead

Next wave of Slayr prettifun Lucy n them will blow up soon. Feel like mainstream gonna swing back from street rap the other way to more pop and singing styles.

How many new rappers can actually perform without a backtrack?

You lost me when you said ye. Nothing ye related will ever be exciting.

you weren't excited for his King Combs collab ⁉️

end of drake glazing

90s style hip hop

They shouldn't be replaced. There should just be more rappers alongside them

Not replaced as in they should retire, I mean there should be rappers that are held in the same esteem they were around 2012-2017

Alright ima say it this is a usually related topic to the thread: we need at least a couple new niggas that are arguably better than Drake and Kendrick are at rapping and songwriting

They are the walls that must be broken down. They are the dragons that must be slayed. And I think deep down we all know it