Street Politics: Ghostwriters in Rap

What if your favorite rapper had help writing that hit single you so fondly posted to your MySpace page? You may love the song just the same but how about the artist? How can rappers boast of being the best, if the words aren’t even theirs? Should it be considered cheating? I read an article once where ghostwriting was likened to “lyrical steroids.” When we listen to hip hop music, we assume that we are listening to the thoughts and experiences from that artist first hand.

The truth of the matter is ghostwriting has been a part of rap since its inception. In fact, some have placed the amount of ghostwritten lyrics in today’s rap songs at 40%. Some artists, like Smitty, have used ghostwriting to gain exposure in the industry, and eventually, as a stepping stone to securing their own record deal. Only now, it’s really brought to the forefront as people are far more attentive to the credits inside the CD insert these days. Magazines, television shows, DVDs, and, you guessed it, websites, afford everybody the opportunity to shine, from the MC, to the DJ, to the producer, to the label owner, and, yes, even the ghostwriter. There are plenty of cats eating well on account of their pen skills. There’s Jay-Z, Cam’Ron, Pharoahe Monch, and Skillz to name a few. And they’ll all tell you that publishing checks are a beautiful thing.

But on the flip side, if artists don’t write, then what do they have? What are they bringing to the game? Most artists, who we know utilize ghostwriters, are more or less label owners and producers (i.e. Dre, Diddy, Jermaine Dupri) seeking to enjoy a different facet of the game. In which case, we accept what is usually, for the most part, a radio-friendly club song, for what it is. These artists rarely make it into the discussion of elite lyricists, but I’m sure that wasn’t their goal from the start. In these instances, the rap fan is more lenient. But what about the artist paying the ghostwriter for exclusive rights, and we are made to believe that the lyrics were written by the artist themselves? Is this lyrical fraud??

See, rap is different from all other genres of music. Rappers don’t play instruments and, thus, have no use for sheet music. Voice training is moot as holding a note is not required (as one can attest to with the plethora of tone-deaf rappers singing their own hooks). The one skill rappers do take pride in possessing is the art of arranging words uniquely. Flow. Word play. Ghetto prose. The best take pride in being a triple threat; a hit song maker, hot freestyler, and slick battle rapper. Those who have expertise in the “Trilogy of Rap,” are your true Masters of Ceremony. MC’s. Rappers of the highest integrity. These are the artists who are proven authentic. Record sales aside, I’m talking about dudes that spit!!! I understand it’s a business and I’m not knocking the ghostwriter who is cashing the check. But at the end of the day as an MC, if the words ain’t yours, then what are you good for?? If the lyrics aren’t yours then neither is the story, in which case, you are merely reading a script. Actors belong in Hollywood. MC’s belong in the booth.

Ghostwritten songs through out Hip-Hop history: