Grandmaster Caz: I Don't Respect a Single New Rapper's Lyricism

The legendary MC, who helped to erect and fortify the blueprint of what it is to be an actual Hip-Hop lyricist, readily praises contemporary artists like Joell Ortiz and Immortal Technique for their innate ability to twist and amplify their respective vocabularies. However, when asked to name any "new" rappers whose ability he respects, Caz draws a blank. As he goes on to offer his unadulterated truth, the Cold Crush Brother reveals that a lot of the genre's popular new artists are merely "Rap music cats who got a deal," adding "anybody can do that" and lists A$AP Rocky as an example.

A debate ensues regarding the infectious work of 2 Chainz, and Caz eventually concedes, "I'll listen to his work a little more, because I appreciate a lyricist all day long; that's what I do."

Soon the "Wild Style" waxed poet admits, "I don't try to dismiss the whole new music -- like everybody sucks -- that's not me. I'm not checking for everybody that's out right now." While Caz admits he isn't a new music connoisseur and reveals that his iPod is full of classics from yesteryear, he insists that he doesn't discredit today's music.

Next Grandmaster Caz breaks down the list of lyricists who comprise his top five MCs. Humble enough to remove himself from this categorization he names Nas, Jay Z, Big, Jadakiss, and Kool G Rap. Although Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, and 2Pac were not included within the original list, Caz gives major props to each of these lyricists as well.

As Caz is challenged to account for Hip-Hop's large cache of incredible lyricists, the list is expanded to include ten artists.
Check out the clip to hear more from Caz on today's lyricists, including his thoughts on Eminem, whom he places in a category all by himself.

[crisleroi]

VLAD: I actually would consider 2 Chainz a lyricist.

CLOCK OUT NIGGA YA FIRED!!!!

[irvynmeaga]

I hope y'all understand that this man was there for damn near all of Hip Hop's existence.

[TJWells-sxgp]

It bothered me a lot when i heard 2 Chainz get called a lyricist

[blakeloington]

“I don’t even consider at hip hop” it just rap music, cats that just got s deal”👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[evole]

Rakim, KRS, G Rap, Kane, Black Thought, Masta Ace, Slick Rick, Nas, Biggie, Kool Keith, Big L and the list goes on.

[moozycla]

382 people didn't even know who's *Grandmaster Caz* is..

[freddiefrankling]

Glad he put Em in his top 10. Every other name he mentioned is also dope. Glad he doesn't think 2 Chainz & all them other clowns are Hip Hop.

[kaikai]

Grandmaster Cas: "I dont wanna discredit it either"

Vlad TV "What shoul we make the title?"

[PoulenGrimsley]

Totally disagree with his opinion on Pac.

[DCMFR]

This why rap is the only genre with an age limit… because the older dudes hate giving the new generations credit, and they lose touch

[Twizzledoc]

He’s cut from that cloth of an era where your pen game had to be on fire!

KRS One, Rakim, NAS, Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Jadakiss, Biggie Smalls, Common, Method Those dudes are legends on the MIC.

[michaelryan]

I'm glad he said that he can't discredit anybody's music cuz he doesn't listen to it. To many artist talk shit about music without listening to it.

[Theonecamcam]

Bro not even Kendrick or j.Cole.... smh

[israelagape]

Caz is it's simply rap instead of Hip-Hop. Anybody. can rap but Hip-Hop is the name if the whole game. Real Hip-Hop is a competitive sport, focused on skill, rhythm and charisma. And also wowing and entertaining
the listener. It also includes the incredibly fun art of mixing and scratching records, . And last but not least, let's not LYRICS!!!

[BBroadnax]

damn did vlad say 2 chainz is a good lyricist?. Soon as you hear some shit like that you should hear a life ending slap afterwards.

[MarleyHitsBills]

how can u tell grandmaster caz what hip hop is

[mindelevation]

I'm a hip hop head... I can listen to KRS 1, camron, 2Pac & chief keef in the same hour.... A true hip hop head enjoys it all.... He sounds like someone who's stuck in the 80's

[marckristian]

That's when you realize that no matter how deeply entrenched he is in the movement, Vlad is still a visitor.

[kirkg]

I can listen to Caz all day because he was there. He knows!

[trelltinsley]

kool G rap one of the best of all time