Zack de la Rocha

[Voodoo Child]

I've been reading through this forum, and most of the hip-hop fans who emphasize lyrics have really shallow tastes (no need to get defensive, because I'm not singling anyone out, and a lot of ppl in here have great taste).

To kind of add some depth to the forum, here's Zack de la Rocha, who is, in my opinion at least, the greatest rapper in the game today in terms of lyrical content. He's the most socially conscious lyracist I've ever heard, moreso than Pac, etc.

Check out some of his work with the band Rage Against the Machine backing up him up -

Sleep Now in the Fire -

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Testify -

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Renegades of Funk -

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Bombtrack -

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Bulls on Parade -

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[Chutney]

Preaching to the converted dude. My cousin's favourite band has always been RATM and I was exposed to them at a pretty early age. De la Rocha is one of my favourite lyricists and Morello is one of my favourite guitarists. However, I can't say he's the best in the game today since I haven't heard anything after the breakup.

btw, Pac can't even be in the same discussion, in terms of social consciousness.

 

[Voodoo Child]

Yeah, I read your post in the other thread. Good to see another fan.

<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">btw, Pac can't even be in the same discussion, in terms of social consciousness.</div>

In what way do you mean that? That Pac wasn't on de la Rocha's level or the other way around?

 

[Chutney]

Pac wasn't on Zach's level. He definitely produced songs that dealt with social issues (especially early on) and you could tell he was socially aware. But he ended up contradicting himself with his later music and his music was more observational, while de la Rocha's lyrics usually have some sort of driving message to them.

 

[Voodoo Child]

<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Pac wasn't on Zach's level. He definitely produced songs that dealt with social issues (especially early on) and you could tell he was socially aware. But he ended up contradicting himself with his later music and his music was more observational, while de la Rocha's lyrics usually have some sort of driving message to them.</div>

Interesting take. I've gotta agree with you too.

People really have to look past the name when it comes to Pac. I know a lot of people who see Pac as infallible. Maybe it's because of the fact that he was launched into martyrdom by being killed.

 

[NTC]

I've always been a fan of RATM. 'Killing In The Name' is one of my unofficial all time favourite songs.

 

[Chutney]

<div class="quote_poster">Voodoo Child Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">People really have to look past the name when it comes to Pac. I know a lot of people who see Pac as infallible. Maybe it's because of the fact that he was launched into martyrdom by being killed.</div>
Absolutely. The whole glorification of a martyr has spun out of control, to the point where there's a clothing line named after him and every couple of years another album is released with remixed songs made of unreleased material. When I first got into hip hop, I fell into the same sort of thing and it took a long time and a lot of listening before I was able to look at him as just another MC. A very good one, but not some sort of messiah.

I've always admired de la Rocha's committment to a certain political stance. It may be incredibly extreme at times, but it succeeds in at least making you think about the issue and form your own opinion. System of a Down works in a similar way.

 

[44Thrilla]

I'm a huge fan, as well. One of my favorite songs with him is one that a lot of people have never heard:

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[NTC]

After watching that, I think he is better suited to rapping over a band, he's too hardcore for Hip-Hop, lol.

Loved how they sampled The Enemy though.