Alecjweatherwood’s Weblog

Humility is not a trait that is respected amongst rappers. You are the best, you are the pinnacle of machismo, you have no qualms and accept no alms.

This creates a bit of a problem for me. I have had a sheltered upbringing, read lots of books, have doubts and cannot really claim to be a great playboy or moneymaker. As a result, in the beginning of my rap ‘career’, I had trouble finding my perspective in hip-hop. I oscillated between writing obscure underground-style lyrics (as a fan of Company Flow and Wu-Tang) and straight-up ruff, rugged and raw lyrics (as a fan of 50 Cent, Onyx, DMX etc.). Reading back my old writings, you can probably find traces of conscious rap (Common), try-hard polysyllabic rhymes (Chino XL, Big Daddy Kane) and much more. But it’s impossible to do something well if you don’t fully believe in it. The hardcore rhymes sounded strained, the obscure lyrics sounded corny. Of course: I AM not and cannot be the sneer of Chino, the swagger of BDK, the cool of Common, the nihilism of Sticky Fingaz or the 5%-ness of Wu-Tang. It was like M.O.P. trying to be all sensitive and cute.

Listen to El D Rhyme and Riddle here:

http://www.zshare.net/audio/13151654490b3ab3/

On Rhyme & Riddle I found the solution. Which was: fuck you, you know what, I AM a nerdy dude with glasses from Hardenberg who likes to read books and enjoys weird references in his lyrics. This is what I do: I rhyme and riddle, try to shine just a little. In the first two verses I explain what my music is all about: taking chances, showing who or what I am and not trying to be what I’m not. The second verse relies on re-made parts of the hook that are expanded into a full verse, reflecting the last line “Just realize that/Every loop is the same/still I deliver/a different rhyme to your brain”. Also, this line reflects the nature of the beat, which is a straight up loop from a very very dope old soul record with only minor additions.

The third verse is the real riddle, though, and I give the answer away at the end. But there is perhaps a deeper answer: I try to show I’m a rapper who puts thought into his shit, sarcastically mocking dumb raps by creating a completely monosyllabic verse (which, of course, is quite crafty).

It pays to listen to these lyrics if you want to. That’s what I think the rap game needs: a keen pair of eyes, quick wit, high speed.

So Rhyme & Riddle is my lyrical A-game (and, if I remember correctly, one of Magical’s favourite tracks on the album). In that sense, it is also in full compliance with the rap convention that on the first few album tracks you should have at least one bragging and boasting rap. This is mine. But I don’t claim to be the best, I make my case for it. You be the judge.

If you have found more meanings and more riddles (there might be) or want to share some of your own feel free to leave a comment.

Next up is the first song on which you hear a different voice on the album. Stay tuned for the story behind Diary of a Man (Who Disappeared).

RANDOM BONUS: Before Cee-Lo Green became part of Gnarls Barkley he was an extremely gifted rapper/poet. On the little clip below he drops a piece of poetry which is mindboggling. Watch Sway & Tech look in amazement.

Cee-Lo Drops Knowledge on the Wake-Up Show