(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Had a discussion with afew work mates today about the state of hiphop and how it has changed in good ways aswell as bad. Here are afew relatively 'newish' semi-mainstream artists I thought were overlooked and deserved more props for what they have contributed to hiphop so far.

- J. Cole. Had some good mixtapes in the past and dropped his debut album last year 'Cole world: The Sideline story' which I enjoyed and consider a classic. He's not the typical bling, blunt and bitches type rapper too that we see alot of today, he covers some good topics with his dope lyricism.

- Lupe Fiasco. Not really new, he's been in the game awhile but I feel like he's overlooked and deserves more attention. Hasn't reached his full potential yet but same as J. Cole, has some good variety in his music and can also be enjoyed by non hiphop listeners.

- Wale. I started listening to his 'Ambition' album and I'm enjoying it so far. Expecting more from him in the future.

- David Dallas. New Zealand born up and coming emcee. Recently signed with Duck Down records and released his free to download album entitled 'The Rose Tint' which can be downloaded at [url]www.daviddallas.co.nz[/url] .


Now afew rappers I think are overrated and/or have gone mainstream.

- Lil' Wayne. Pretty self explanatory.

- Drake. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy afew of his tracks but he has lost his touch after his 'So far gone' mixtape. He has alot of potential but I think the young money influence has tarnished his career. Also the fact he made alot of female based songs about past relationships and heartbreak in his 'Take Care' album which in my opinion was crap. Sometimes goes overboard with his hashtag punchlines (not as bad as weezy) but overall good lyricist, just need more diversity.

- Wiz Khalifa. Pretty much listened to by kids who think they're 'gangsta'. Started out good in his career with his earlier mixtapes but now all he raps about is basically smoking weed and money etc.

I have alot more to add but I CBF'ed anymore lol. You may or may not agree which is all good, this just my opinion but please leave a reply with your reasons why and with your opinions on who you think are overrated and underrated in hiphop.

ASAP Rocky - Doubt hes considered mainstream. Really good rapper and beats are amazing. He makes sure he isn't tought as a sell out like other artists. He raps about what other artists are and he actually is. But, he did go on tour with Drake but I still respect him.

Kendrick Lamar- hes somewhat underground but he is way to underrated i mean he spits FIRE! he was also featured on the xxl freshman 2011 magazine!

Hopsin- He can rhyme. enough said this guy is very very good at rapping but not really known at all

^I agree, A$AP Rocky is a beast as well

Don trip. nuff said

All Hopsin does is diss other rappers

---------- Post added at 06:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:52 PM ----------



Wale is signed to MMG, J Cole to Roc Nation. Neither underrated/overlooked. Lupe, well I could never get into him. Wale though, J Cole as well, have a few mixtapes worth checking out :y:

---------- Post added at 06:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:53 PM ----------



Just heard about him a few weeks ago. Got Drake amazed, asked if he could be called ASAP Drizzy lol. This is how they get more attention though, made rappers, giving them shout outs. Don't want your favorite rapper to stay broke.

Overrated: Rick Ross, just really bad lyrics, he was also a correction officer lol, and he raps about another mans life

Underrated: Lloyd Banks, hes got an amazing flow and he adapts to any beat and kills it, his lyrics are on another level