Newer-age hip-hop fans are less considered with the notion of lyrical greatness or excellence and the criteria for what constitutes a solid lyrical performance has shifted. The lyrics are the bread and butter of a song, or at least that has been the case in the past. Although Drake has never been placed in this spectrum of artistry, the idea of the ghostwriter trivializes those very principles hip-hop purists stand upon. This, in turn, placed the audience’s attention squarely on production and how to most productively ride the beat. These young men were crowned “mumble rappers”, a style that hip-hop purists frowned upon because it removed the importance of the words and the story of the music. LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 21: Rapper Drake poses in the press room with his awards for Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album for ‘Views,’ Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Streaming Artist, Top Streaming Song (Audio) for ‘One Dance,’ Top R&B Song for ‘One Dance,’ Top R&B Collaboration for ‘One Dance,’ Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Album for ‘Views,’ and Top Rap Tour during the 2017 Billboard Music Awards at T-Mobile Arena on in Las Vegas, Nevada. Artists like Migos and Lil Yachty are two of the most popular acts of this time in hip-hop, but at the beginning of their careers, both were scolded for the lack of acknowledgement they showed for the history of the art form and the lack of lyricism either of the four brought to the table. Just check the landscape of the industry. There are far less hip-hop purists setting forth verdicts about the matter. The criteria for GOAT status in music, hip-hop specifically, changes with the generation. There were a few punchlines that swarmed the internet for a moment, but with an intervention from another Drake hit, the mumblings grew silent and Drake was once again lauded for his propensity to drop hits, no matter the swing – be it from Pusha T or Meek Mill.Īt the end of it all, though, where will Drake sit in the timeless hip-hop GOAT conversation? Drawing a commercial-size audience is one thing, but does the presence of ghostwriters demote Aubrey Graham’s legacy among the greatest lyricists the game has seen? When Meek Mill “exposed” Drake for using Quentin Miller as a ghostwriter, a large sector of his fans was not surprised. So does that mean Meek is mistaken or lying in claiming that the “R.I.C.O.” verse was penned by Miller? Or is it true and there’s another writer behind the reference track Meek allegedly heard?Īt this point, the only excuse for Drake’s silence is he better be crafting the most vicious diss since “Ether” for Meek.Drake has been a non-stop hitmaker in hip-hop, but does the presence of ghostwriters in his camp dilute his legacy as a GOAT? Q says he only co-wrote for the tracks he was credited for on IYRTITL. You’ll recall when there was the Nas ghostwriting controversy a few years back, everyone involved including Nasir himself issued direct statements refuting the allegations. The fact he’s been in hiding all week is not a good look. This was a good statement, but one that won’t absolve Drake from addressing this himself. but i could never take credit for anything other than the few songs we worked on together. I am not and never will be a “ghostwriter” for drake. We came together and made something special. Two artist in exact opposite spaces in their career. When nobody would pay attention, drake saw something in me and reached out… Of all people… drizzy. Showing me the QM, telling me they put me on the credits (Ghostwritter?) … He attached my name to something that touched the world. I remember him Showing me the thank you notes in NY before the album dropped. I witnessed him light up, go in and freestyle madonna…. I watched him write/ replace bars 2- 3 at a time on 6pm in NY. I watched this man piece together words in front of me… ![]() i remember him playing it for me for the first time thinking “Why am I here?” like. Most of the project was done before i came in the picture. ![]() Hearing that from someone that I’ve been studying since 2009, bar for bar…. I told him i worked in a bakery and his exact words were “Fuck that, your destined for greatness”… And somehow found myself on the phone with One of my idols. Winter 2014… I was just another guy working a job he hated with a passion for music…. Quentin Miller has broken his silence on the week-long controversy surrounding the extent of his writing contributions to Drake’s IYRTITL and verse on Meek Mill’s “R.I.C.O.” Below is Miller’s statement unedited.
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