By Daniel Paiz

Somehow time has flown by in the slowest year ever; the end of the year is nigh, which means it’s time for another NaPoWriMo 2020 piece. To close things out, it kind of feels like maybe there’s a generational gap between who I’m listening to and what might be on the charts right now. Growth is important, change is inevitable. However, the change currently going on is one that’s a bit disturbing.

Sure, “only good vibes” or “it’s a mood” makes sense for music you want to vibe out to. But when there’s an imbalance between lyrical skill and storytelling, that’s when you start to lose something. There is no “right kind” of Hip-Hop to be fair. But, when there’s a lack of learning about those before you, it feels like things are going kind of askew. With no further ado, let’s get into what I’m talking about.

In Check

Examine the problem at hand,

flavoring options various modes of bland,

stand upon your own two feet I see scurrying and squeaks,

remind me how vibes last longer than your local OG?

Buttressing everything

you know this “mood” coming to an end

when these projects are lacking basic product

or any kind of lyrical plan,

oh so you’re making money and wasting it on exotic rentals?

Clearly afraid of the pen as you cloud up your mental

coincidental I think not but I’m just an old man bot,

what I’ll get shot? by who, not you, you, or you,

won’t work on exit strategy just ‘Gramming your tool

while the profits are rescinded cuz you gambled with image,

not penmanship so the 360 ran circles ’round you fool

If I post your bail, with me you’ll be checked into solute

Wondering why you haven't been put in check,
likely due to no discipline or self-respect,
I'm all for some fun but when the funds are done,
did you plan an exit or to your mood you succumbed 

Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good time,

but if there’s always a party and all those vibes,

what are you celebrating? Where’s the lie,

You’re afraid to fail, you’re afraid to lose,

what exactly is winning if the flip side is new to you?

I could extrapolate some ridiculous conclusions,

but no comic-style ending to see your lack of fusion,

to your desires and those longstanding pipedreams,

those things you long for yet finding that effort seems obscene,

But wait,

let me get this straight,

you think you just become famous by your own say?

Learn your strengths and plan out your reps,

your muscle memory skills even still forget,

never sit idle and that’s my starting point too,

that idling mood of boredom in check is your first move

Wondering why you haven't been put in check,
likely due to no discipline or self-respect,
I'm all for some fun but when the funds are done,
did you plan an exit or to your mood you succumbed 

Now what?