Legacy (Insight)

Legacy is a poem about my biggest inspiration when it comes to my writing: Hip-Hop. I’ve been listening to it since I was about 5, but my love for it really developed in the early 2000’s when the radio was dominated by Eminem & Ludacris, my two favorite rappers to this day. This poem is not a critique of Hip-Hop itself, but more so about the commercialization of it. When Hip-Hop started it was raw, rebellious, gritty and unapologetic. In its more recent state, mainstream rap feels more artificial, artists come and go at will and it seems like viral moments are more sought after than lasting impact. Don’t get me wrong, you can still find amazing artists making music in this genre today. JID, Denzel Curry, Rico Nasty and Snow Tha Product are some examples just to name a few, but quality used to be the STANDARD. I hope you enjoy reading Legacy by Daniel Peiffer. Bonus: A top 5 is very common in Hip-Hop, but for me there is a definitive top 3 and the other two spots fluctuate now and again, so I’ll share my favorite 3, that I am confident will NEVER change.  3. Kendrick Lamar: In my opinion, Kendrick is the best writer in Hip-Hop, period. Reincarnated is the best writing in Hip-Hop, period. While Good Kid M.a.a.d City is my favorite album of his, I connected most with Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers. That album came out during a time when I was attending therapy and doing a lot of self-reflection of my own. Seeing his honesty and vulnerability on that album, for better or worse, inspired me to do the same. 2. Ludacris: A lot of people look at Luda as a hitmaker, which he was, but they see him as only a hitmaker. For those that have heard his deeper cuts, they know he is a punchline rapper. His metaphors and similes and their cleverness have inspired me to get creative with my own. Back For the First Time is my favorite album of his and I believe in a time where every artist had their own distinct style, he still managed to stand out even more so. 1. Eminem: It’s pretty cliché at this point, “white guy’s favorite rapper is Eminem”, I know. I can admit his most recent work is not my favorite and there are newer artists making better music than him at the time of me writing this. But if we are speaking about all time, I would be lying if I said he wasn’t my favorite. His first 3 albums were legendary, The Marshall Mathers LP being my favorite, he was weird, funny, demented and most of all, he could rap. I truly believe that at his prime, no other rapper could lyrically match his pen. He definitely inspired the darker themes that I often write about. These three to me aren’t just artists I listen to, they are part of me, part of my identity. That’s why for me, their spots will never be replaced. Honorable mentions: Nas, J. Cole, JID, Denzel Curry, Snow Tha Prouduct, Tech N9ne, Hopsin, Cassidy, Missy Elliott, Doja Cat, Asher Roth, Busta Rhymes, Joyner Lucas, Chamillionaire, Army of the Pharoahs, Big L, Tupac, Biggie Smalls, Outkast, DMX, Lupe Fiasco, Slaughterhouse, Mac Miller, Jadakiss, Token, Rico Nasty, Run the Jewels & 50 cent. Of course, there are many more artists I know and love but those listed above really shaped my writing and music taste today in terms of Hip-Hop influences.