What's the difference between a lyricist and a rapper?
- LeeLah Moore
- Sep 17
- 5 min read
September 9, 2025
Written By Mrs. Alisha "LeeLah" Moore, VP of Operations, Management, & Business Development of Dreko Music Productions LLC
The "Lyricist"
A lyricist is the writer of song lyrics. In the context of rap, a lyricist crafts intricate, clever, and poetic verses, placing a strong emphasis on content rather than performance. A lyricist is a wordsmith focused on the artistic and lyrical quality of writing, while a rapper is the performer who delivers those words with rhythm, cadence, and charisma. Although many rappers are also lyricists, these two roles highlight different skill sets within hip-hop.
Key Skills of a Lyricist
- Literary Technique: A skilled lyricist utilizes poetic devices such as advanced rhyme schemes, alliteration, assonance, double entendres, similes, and metaphors.
- Storytelling: By focusing on narrative and substance, a lyricist creates songs that resonate with deeper meanings or compelling stories.
- Conceptual Complexity: Lyricists often craft complex lyrical pictures and multilayered themes that can be analyzed and appreciated on multiple levels.
- Ghostwriting: A lyricist may write rhymes for another artist without performing them. While this practice is sometimes frowned upon in the hip-hop community, it is a well-established career path.
Examples of Revered Lyricists
- Nas: Celebrated for his poetic verses and vivid storytelling.
- Kendrick Lamar: Widely praised for his intricate concepts and profound lyrical complexity.
- Tupac Shakur: Recognized for his poetic style and ability to captivate a mass audience.
- Ms. Lauryn Hill: Her debut album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, proves that being a female in the hip-hop community does not mean lowering standards to convey a musical message. She is regarded as one of the most influential female hip-hop artists of all time, ranking among the top ten best female lyricists alongside Nicki Minaj, Eve, Queen Latifah, and Left Eye.
VS
A Rapper: The Performer
A rapper is the performer who vocalizes the rhythmic and rhyming lyrics, emphasizing the delivery of the song in addition to the words themselves.
Key Skills of a Rapper
- Flow and Cadence: A rapper's skill is often measured by their "flow"—the seamless integration of words and rhythm with the beat. Superior flow is smooth, dynamic, and captivating.
- Delivery and Voice: This skill involves the tone, projection, and emotional inflection used during a performance.
- Breath Control: This technical skill is essential for delivering fast-paced verses and intricate wordplay without losing breath.
- Freestyling: The ability to spontaneously improvise rhymes is a traditional measure of a rapper's skill.
Examples of Rappers Known for Performance
- Twista and Busta Rhymes: Known for their fast-paced delivery and complex rhythmic patterns, often without a strong focus on lyrical substance.
- Jay-Z: Praised for his charismatic, confident, and versatile delivery, in addition to his lyrical abilities.
- The Notorious B.I.G.: Renowned for his effortless and memorable flow, even though his lyrical content was sometimes less complex than that of his peers.
- Sexyy Red: Known for her raunchy, overtly exposed lyrics, some consider her music to be lacking in substance. However, in terms of musical delivery, she excels at energizing crowds and creating a party atmosphere.
- Cardi B: Regarded as one of the best female rappers of her generation, she has achieved massive success with party anthems like "WAP" and "I Like It Like That," which are known for making audiences dance and enjoy the moment.
Many artists embark on a journey of self-discovery as they explore their identities and explore their own selves. Throughout my 25 years as an industry executive, I've observed that many talented individuals, despite their abilities, often grapple with low self-esteem and confidence. This lack of self-awareness can lead to frustration and a diminished desire to create meaningful and inspirational content. It’s worth noting that our words often reflect our inner thoughts and feelings. When artists feel good about themselves internally, that positivity shines through in their work.
For instance, individuals who are confident and aware of their identities tend to produce content that promotes self-worth, self-respect, and resilience. They exhibit a proactive mindset, embrace their imperfections, and are open to learning from criticism. Rather than comparing themselves to others, they focus on personal growth and express their unique perspectives through their art.
To fully understand and embrace their artistic identities, individuals need to cultivate self-discipline and self-control. This journey can be challenging, as it requires confronting flaws and mistakes honestly. By accepting the truths about ourselves, artists can create content that genuinely aligns with wholesome inspiration. While some may achieve commercial success with less meaningful work, true fulfillment comes from creating art that resonates authentically.
As George Bernard Shaw aptly noted, "Hell is full of musical amateurs." This statement highlights the importance of responsibility for our actions and words. Each of us has the power to inspire or harm through our speech. Being mindful of our words is essential, as they can foster positivity or contribute to negativity.
Music, as a universal language, provides tremendous support for individuals in ways that other forms of therapy may not. Music therapy, for instance, utilizes music as a clinical and evidence-based intervention to address a range of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. Delivered by certified music therapists with extensive training, music therapy has proven benefits, including reduced anxiety, improved mood, enhanced communication skills, and better physical coordination.
Studies have shown that music therapy can:
- Help individuals relax
- Facilitate emotional exploration
- Alleviate anxiety and depression
- Lower stress levels
- Regulate mood
- Strengthen communication and social skills
- Build self-confidence
- Develop healthy coping strategies
- Enhance problem-solving abilities
- Improve physical coordination and overall quality of life
Given the powerful impact of music, it is clear that it can uplift and enrich lives, as well as possess the potential to harm individuals in their journeys. Music is not merely a collection of words; it is a vital aspect of life. Each person has a connection to music that resonates during challenging times. Consider how integral music is to moments of significance: funerals with farewell songs, weddings filled with love, graduations celebrated with joyful tunes, and even elevators adorned with motivating sounds.
Music has been beautifully designed to heal and uplift us. The Book of Psalms in the Holy Bible, rich with musical content, illustrates the profound ability of music to address the emotional needs of humanity. This understanding drives home the idea that our Creator recognizes the importance of positive motivation for us all.
At the core of life lies the gift of music. The sound of a newborn's cry signals not only their arrival but also brings immense joy to parents who have endured the journey of bringing new life into the world. By embracing the empowering and healing potential of music, we can journey together towards a brighter and more inspired existence.
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