What do you prefer? Beats or Lyrics?

[Bedford Iz Active]

I'm about to go get Common's new album, i know that's been hype ever since it's release a while ago and i've heard nothing but good news about it. The same with DJ Jazzy Jeff's Return of the Magnicifcent i've heard it myself and had no complaints what so ever, those 2 are really showing what it is to make music. The reason i mentioned this is because it has the perfect combination in my opinion of beats and lyrics.

But anyway the main point of the topic, what do you prefer yourself/catches your attention more, beats or lyrics??  If i had to choose between them it probably would be beats. I can't listen to any tracks if it has a bad beat. (example, LAX on Blue carpet treatment, Ice cube and Snoop is a great collabration but i've never gone through more than 10 secs of it).

[NotoriousTDA]

Yeah i gutta go with beats too, because its the first thing u hear on the track. But it all depends, cuz theres been plenty of of great beats wasted on horrible mc's, and the track is unlistenable.

[G. Sean Peters]

Yeah i gutta go with beats too, because its the first thing u hear on the track. But it all depends, cuz theres been plenty of of great beats wasted on horrible mc's, and the track is unlistenable.

True but there also plenty of good verses spit over wack ass beats too.

[DreSnoop00]

To me this depends on the person on the mic...
Look at Immortal Technique...his lyrics are amazing on his Revolutionary albums,
if you notice, he doesn't have any famous producers making the cuts on the album,
most of the beats and catchy, but nothing too complex or anything,
but once you start to listen to his lyrics, its like it cancels out the beats because you start to pay attention to the words he is saying

look at that song "its me bitches"
the beat is hot...I don't pay attention to what Swizz Beatz is talking about, I tried to listen to his words, it was garbage, the beat carries the track
I don't like 50 cent's mic styles, but he usually picks catchy beats for his album

so to me it depend on the rapper/MC on the mic

most of the time though its beats because thats what keeps you hooked on the song but there are exceptions

[Paul]

i dont think i could give a fukin shit bout the lyrics if its over a shitty beat

although i could listen to guys like snoop, kurupt jus cause i like listening to what they hav to say

[Layeth THe Smacketh Down]

They both go hand and hand.  I can't listen to a dope beat with wack lyrics or vice versa.

[TRG]

i'd have to go beats aswell.. its hard to get into a song that doesnt have a good beat.

[SmokinDro520]

They both go hand and hand.  I can't listen to a dope beat with wack lyrics or vice versa.

True i feel the same way.For example Pop Lock n Drop it the beat is tights the lyrics are whack.

[The Watcher]

They both go hand and hand.  I can't listen to a dope beat with wack lyrics or vice versa.

[MontrealCity's Most]

Being a beatmaker myself i have to go with beats but i find that over the years a good mc and good lyrics are very important as well for me now.

[Blu Lacez]

Being a beatmaker myself i have to go with beats but i find that over the years a good mc and good lyrics ahev evry important as well for me now.

i'd have to go beats aswell.. its hard to get into a song that doesnt have a good beat.

Guess both of these messages explaied how i feel!!
But if the beat is not very good, but the artist has a strong presence,and dope Lyrics
then i'll overlook the beat!!!

[AnybodyKilla]

Im a sucker for beats n hooks man!!!

[QuietTruth]

Both. It wouldn't be a good sound or a 'classic' if it didn't, right?

[K.Dub]

Lyrics

[Okka]

Both.