Lyrics Vs Rhythm: Which Is More Important?

I think the lyrics are most important but for nigerians its the rhythm that is anything danceable not minding what the person is really saying, like "Nigerian girls like koboko".

Pls help me ask dbanj what that means and a lot of other nonsense he says in his songs.  Wande coal has better words. Anyway he said it in his entertainer track that music does not have a language so anybody can wake up one day and say anything and yet people will buy.

What do you think?

I was gonna say lyrics first but I have to say Rhythm first. . . because we tend to pay attention to the rhythm first then listen to what they are talking about!

its 50-50,

none is more important.

Jeez eldee and rap

@topic
I'm attracted to the rhythm first before lyrics. But lyrics' very important. It shows creativity and allows me get into the mind of the artiste, and if he or she is worth listening to the next time.

Rhythm innit.

Most of those Makossa tunes, most Nigerians dont understand what they saying. But as soon as the beat is dropped, straight to the dancefloor

@ Topic

It essentially depends on the genre of music for moi. . . . .

for some its the rhythm. . .and then most i say its the lyrics. . .i pay close attention most of the time. . .

true talk
i would say it is so for me too

v@@@ all abegi leave it there, rythm is really all its about, but the lyrics matter, nooooooooo moooreeeeeee postttttttt

If Rhythm is that important. . . . .Why not listen to instrumentals strictly and forget about the lyrics??

If the rhythm is superb, it is down to the beatmaker/producer(this is why Dr. Dre/Timbaland and Swizz Beats make their money).
The lyrics is about the artiste. . . . . .His philosophy, his sanctum, his poetry and his state of mind.
Lyrics everyday of the week.

Bloody hell, how did this become a rap thread?

Eldee, you took the whole darn words outta ma mouth keyboard.

You've said all I wanna say. It's not good enough to just pen your lines on paper for all to see (how're we even sure you did not copy them from somewhere). I might sound harsh but I got no respect for so-called MCs who only pen their lines and don't spit 'em. Tell me how poetry, prose or even ghostwriting are supposed to be different from this? Of what use is your great-lyrics-but-written-only kind of rap when we have Shakespeare et al? I've read some really poorly constructed lines in the Rap Battle Thread (though with fine lyrics) that made my stomach turn. If it's all about lyrics only, I'd rather read what folks like Shakespeare write . . .

I don't care how good your lyrics are if I can only read and not hear them. And by "hearing" 'em, I mean they must sound pleasant to ma ears. Of what use is the beat if you cannot ride smoothly over it? I have a penchant for good lyrics but being a great lyricist ain't enough. Let's listen to your flows, your delivery, your rhythm.

Some artistes like Eminem and Biggie are not reverred for what they say but for how they say what they say. Tell me it's only lyrics that made stars out of Pac and Nas. Listen to Michael Jackson and tell me what you can make of his lyrics? Even poems ought to have a rhythm. How much more music? Have you ever listened to some nicely constructed poems being recited? It's like what a cold squashed drink does to a thirsty soul. And if it's Rap, forget it if you've got no rhythm. Artistes like Canibus as someone noted earlier are good on lyrics but he's not acclaimed cos his delivery is poor.

There's an artiste in Nigeria called Sage Hasson. He recites what he calls spoken words/poetry over beats. Great lyrics. But go cop his album, listen to it and come back to tell me he's a rapper . . .

The delivery of a message is as important as the message itself.

Music MUST NOT be lacking in refreshing lyrics though. I agree with the OP who said some Nigerian artistes just say rubbish. Zero lyrics and all rhythm is very disturbing and it's becoming the trend in Nigeria.

So - which is more important . . . Lyrics or Rhythm?

None. It's a tie for me.

Yep I agree it's neutral. But I had to kick off with the "Lyrics are not the all in all" angle cos of some of the arguments being put forward by the Pro-Lyrics proponents. My "write up" would have been more direct but I had to deal with that first

I love good lyrics but none should be put above the other. They're both important.

uhmm bamsyle and eldee keep it up
am enjoying the arguments
talk about words like
comeback argument . .
Pro-Lyrics proponents
"write up"

For the question, Lyrics is more important.

 

Please do that and i will tell you Canibus whups anyone with his pin-point delivery.
How can anyone say Bis' delivery is not on point. . . . . The fact that majority of hip-hop listeners are illiterate does not make Canibus wack.
He is not your average rapper who talks about Hublot watches, Moet, Caviar and  Women. . . .so 50 cent might prolly sound better than him in that respect cos garbage reigns supreme these days. If not, how did Weezy rise to the top of of the echelon??

If anyone chooses rhythm over lyrics is because he/she has a poor listening skill.
It is easy to understand the rhythm but some words are thrown on rap lyrics and only a sane educated mind can grab what was being said instantly.
Rhythm is overrated to me and i do enjoy acapellas more than instrumentals.
If u have good rhythm and you spew nonsense lyrics. . . . .Who would buy your album??
Eedris has rhythm of flow. . . . .How many of his albums have u copped?