No mention of MF Doom? Metalface? Doom? Victor Vaughan? (All the same gentleman from LA)
Actually he is from UK
Rappers, Sorted by Size of Vocabulary
161–170 of 276 posts
Re: Rappers, Sorted by Size of Vocabulary
#162Looked for Canibus near the top and wasn't surprised to find him 4th. If anyone hasn't heard of him, highly suggest listening to his older stuff such as his first Can-I-Bus, 2000 BC and Mic Club. He raps about science and space all the time which is cool. Here's an example of his ridiculous lyrics: http://rapgenius.com/Canibus-poet-laureate-infinity-lyrics
Additionally, many HN users have probably already heard Canibus rapping even if they don't know it, since he wrote the Office Space theme song. :)
Always loved that song.
My personal favorite Canibus track is Master Thesis, though.
Re: Rappers, Sorted by Size of Vocabulary
#163Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't know man, I listened to a couple of the tracks and he definitely has lyrical skills, and I like some of the tracks, but the quotes you selected aren't very good at all, at best obvious topics with all the insight of a million college freshmen. Having said that I like "None Shall Pass" that has a really great sound. To be entirely honest, I love rap, but not for any insight rappers have in world affairs, but f…
> at best obvious topics with all the insight of a million college freshman Art is weird like that. We have to remember that it isn't all about needing to learn something new from the experience. Sometimes it's just about getting something out of it. Looking over the lists of the best songs of all time[1], we can see that there aren't a lot of incredibly insightful songs. Quite frankly, most speak of your "obvious to…
I think the point is that giving lengthy quotes of the lyrics is a little pointless if the merit in the art isn't the insight of the lyrics.
Re: Rappers, Sorted by Size of Vocabulary
#164Was it mentioned where the data was sourced from? I'm not seeing anything and I went back and checked. Did I miss it?
> All lyrics are provided by Rap Genius, but are only current to 2012. My lack of recent data prevented me from using quite a few current artists.
Re: Rappers, Sorted by Size of Vocabulary
#165Re: Rappers, Sorted by Size of Vocabulary
#166Re: Rappers, Sorted by Size of Vocabulary
#167Why Jedi Mind Tricks is not counted? He'd be the first in this list; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlZgiK6FiO0
Jedi Mind Tricks is not one person. It's two rappers (Vinnie Paz and Jus Allah).
Jus Allah has been in and out of JMT. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jedi_Mind_Tricks
Re: Rappers, Sorted by Size of Vocabulary
#168author here: hit me up with questions you've got.
Any chance you would release your code for this? I'd love to run an analysis on some lesser known rappers and play around with some of the filters. Awesome project btw.
EDIT: The reason I ask is that I assume you don't have the time or desire to add every rapper every person asks you for.
Re: Rappers, Sorted by Size of Vocabulary
#169Just a note, those artists don't necessarily use all their vocabulary. Eminem for example clearly holds back on his vocabulary. Rap is as much an art as anything can be so there are all sorts of factors. Be careful what you might want to draw here other than curiousity.
> Eminem for example clearly holds back on his vocabulary. What makes you say this?
He would spend hours studying the dictionary.
Re: Rappers, Sorted by Size of Vocabulary
#170Not particularly surprised at the list. Aesop Rock, the whole Wu-tang Clan, and guys like Nas, Wale, all near the top. DMX and Too Short at the bottom... Definitely comes out in their music...
> Definitely comes out in their music...