HipHopMadness has released a new video looking at self-depreciation in hip-hop, and how J. Cole is a good example of the uncommon trait. The argument comes after Cole seemingly intentionally removed himself from the discussion on who the top artist is between Drake, Kendrick Lamar and himself.
“If there’s anything that’s uncommon in a genre such as hip-hop, it’s self-depreciation. Built upon an immovable bedrock of bravado, hip-hop is a sport in which the boastful prosper and the modest are all too often forgotten. Based on the days of battle rapping in which the goal was to prove your superiority while taking aim at your opponent’s weaknesses, it’s not uncommon to hear rappers make outlandish proclamations of their own abilities.
Little more than two major projects into his career, Polo G was already labeling himself “the goat.”
Similarly, rappers such as JAY-Z and Lil Wayne were dubbing themselves the “best rapper alive” long before the culture was willing to accept those tags at face value.
With the industry more overcrowded and competitive than ever, it pays to be cocky, and if a fanbase wants to fight your case for you, then it doesn’t make much sense to dispute their claims
Courtesy of this culture-wide endorsement of bragging, hearing any shred of humility can be hard to wrap our heads around. So, when J. Cole seemed to be purposefully eliminating himself from all of the endless discussion over who’s at the top of the mountain out of himself. Drake & Kendrick in the modern era, the world was taken aback.”
The video was narrated by Spencer Pearman, written by Robert Blair, and edited by Roman Bill. The music comes courtesy of Josh Petruccio.
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