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Ghostwriters In Hiphop by VOFO.
by Rapjoint Lagos
Ghostwriters In Hiphop by VOFO.
For some of us deeply rooted into the music industry you won’t be surprised to find out that most of your favorite jams weren’t written by the said artist.
There are some dare we call them magicians who work behind BEHIND the scene to compose these gems we now love and appreciate.
Ghostwriting stretches back to the beginning of time. Whether you had your friend write up your English essay or helped write a ‘risky text’, it exists in almost every aspect of life.
Typically, ghostwriting is not deemed as detrimental as the term may suggest with celebrities using ‘writers’ to help publish a biography or book.
However in hip-hop, fans and contemporaries tend to hold artists accountable for their lyrics, frowning upon the use of ghostwriters. Celebrating the five year anniversary of a pivotal project, one of the biggest ghostwriting controversies in hip hop has resurfaced.
Generally, fans justify Kanye and Dre’s use of writers by resorting to their original role in the genre: the producer. With their main focus being on creating the instrumental and putting together the track, it’s a given that they may need help to pen together the perfect hit.
On the other hand, Drake is considered a rapper first and foremost, placing a greater emphasis on his ability to write. In an interview with MTV, ‘Aaron’ explains why hip-hop frowns upon rappers using ghostwriters.
“The requirements in hip-hop are not about being a dancer, it’s not about being able to play the guitar and drums while you’re rapping, or even DJ’ing while you’re rapping. It is literally about what you’re saying […] I know an R&B artist may not have written their song, but I’m not coming to them for that, I’m coming because their voice is amazing […] With rappers, you’re only coming to them because they can rap. So if you’re not rapping, what are we doing, why am I here?”
For the next couple of weeks we would be taking a journey into the lives of some of hip hop’s famous ghost writers or as I like to call them sometimes (anonymous nobodies).
This week we’d be making a list of some popular ghostwriters and their hit tracks.
According to liveabout.com ; here are 10 hits and their ghost writers.
1. Foxy Brown - "Get Me Home"
Artist: Foxy Brown (ft. Blackstreet)
Song: "Get Me Home"
Ghostwriter: Jay Z
2. Lil Kim - "Crush on You" (Ft. Lil Cease)
Artist: Lil Kim
Song: "Crush on You"
Ghostwriter: Cam'ron
3. Eazy E - "Boyz N the Hood"
Artist: Eazy E
Song: "Boyz N the Hood"
Ghostwriter: Ice Cube
4. Will Smith - "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It"
Artist: Will Smith
Song: "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It"
Ghostwriter: Nas (co-writer)
5. Biz Markie - "Vapors"
Artist: Biz Markie
Song: "Vapors"
Ghostwriter: Big Daddy Kane
6. Lil Kim - "Queen B---"
Artist: Lil Kim
Song: "Queen Bee"
Ghostwriter: The Notorious B.I.G.
7. Dr. Dre - "Still D.R.E."
Artist: Dr. Dre
Song: "Still D.R.E.”
Ghostwriter: Jay Z
8. Diddy - "I'll Be Missing You" Ft. Faith Evans
Artist: Diddy
Song: "I’ll Be Missing You"
Ghostwriter: Sauce Money
9. Dr. Dre - "Nuthin' But a G Thang"
Artist: Dr. Dre
Song: "Nuthin' But a G Thang"
Ghostwriter: The D.O.C.
10. Kanye West - Jesus Walks
Artist: Kanye West
Song: "Jesus Walks"
Ghostwriter: Rhymefest (co-writer)
Join us next week for more.!!!
1 comment
Nice work!!!