Breaking Down the New Generation of Emcees

Published on Friday, July 23 2010

Written by Super User

2010 marks the beginning of a new decade, and each of these emcees are finding themselves wondering the same two things: How much longer do I have, and how will I be remembered?

I am not saying that their careers are coming to a close, or even that they are on the out. But after achieving the level of fame and popularity that each of these stars have enjoyed, it's merely sequential that they begin to envision just how they will be remembered.

So, how would you preserve your legacy? Labels can be dissolved, songs slowly fade out, and articles from your personal clothing line will eventually be found only at Goodwill and the occasional T.J.Maxx. No, material possessions will not keep you relevant. The answer is much more simple: emerging talent. What better way to keep your name in new music than to put your name on a new musician? Well, Wayne, T.I., and Kanye are a step ahead of you.

Let’s take a look at each of these Emcee masters, and their respective protégés...

KANYE and KID CUDI

The year is 2004. The place is a Virgin Music store in NYC. Scott Mescudi is perusing the music and suddenly realizes he is standing next to Kanye West. Without any sort of pitch or spiel, he blurts out, “I am Cudi... Scott. I have great potential... and you should sign me.” Despite his flawlessly constructed argument, Kanye declines Cudi’s proposal at the time. But several years later, Kanye recognized Scott Mescudi’s talent and signed Kid Cudi to his label, G.O.O.D. Music.  You can trace Kanye’s style sneaking its way into some of Kid Cudi’s music (see “Make Her Say”), and they have collaborated on multiple tracks. This lyrical influence, combined with the way Kid Cudi sing-raps, makes it clear that Kanye has taken an active role in Cudi’s “graduation” to star-status.

T.I. and B.o.B

Besides the obvious acronym connection, these two have a lot in common. For instance, they are both from the south. And they are both rappers. T.I. caught wind of Bobby Ray when he heard the track, “Haterz,” and nabbed B.o.B for Grand Hustle Entertainment. This occurred soon after T.I. was released from prison. I am sure he had a lot of time to think in the clink, so it would make sense that one of the first things he does upon his release is to secure an heir to his “king”dom. B.o.B wasn’t just a random choice though. They have similar styles and play to similar crowds (both musically and geographically). Why is it smart for T.I.? B.o.B is going places and exploring many musical possibilities. By attaching his name to not only this up-and-coming star but also this up-and-coming movement, T.I. will stand to benefit as Bobby Ray’s mentor. 

LIL WAYNE and DRAKE

Think about the last time you got your hair cut. Now imagine getting a phone call from Lil Wayne while in the barber chair. Well, if you are Drake, that’s pretty easy to imagine. One day back in 2008, Drake was in a barber shop getting his ears lowered when he got a phone call from the Dwayne Carter of Young Money Entertainment. Drake was on a plane the very next night to Houston. Lil Wayne must have recognized the fact that Drake was about to be big. So, what did he do? He made moves. Lil Wayne secured Drake for YME. But it wasn’t all take for Weezy. Lil Wayne can be fully credited for the speed at which Drake rose to stardom, if not Drake’s rise to stardom period. All of a sudden, Drake was touring with arguably the biggest name in music today. He wasn’t just an opener either. Lil Wayne was on stage, and he would step aside to showcase the Canada native. With thousands of fans holding on to Wayne’s every word, his endorsement of Drake, night after night on two separate tours, made Drake’s ascension to fame inevitable. Let’s be honest, it wasn’t a huge leap for Wayne fans. They have very similar voices and styles, and they even help write each other’s lyrics.  As Birdman (Wayne’s mentor and Drake’s grand-mentor) says, like father, like son. Even now, after Wayne has been locked away for several months he has been advancing Drake's career. From the slammer, Wayne rapped over the phone to be on one of Drake’s new tracks, and they even have plans for a joint album release following Lil Wayne’s prison release. For Drake, times are good. For Wayne, well, one of the hottest young players in the game is your protege. Bravo.

Of course, one day this young class of emcees will find themselves in the same position, and the cycle will continue.  Like most things in life, it can all be traced back to The Sandlot:  “Remember kid, there’s heroes and there’s Legends.  Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” 

- Patrick Berry, YH Staff