"Makin choices, that determine my future under the sky
To rob steal or kill, I'm wondering why
It's a dirty game, is any man worthy of fame?
Much to success to ya, even if you wish me the opposite
Sooner or later we'll all see who the prophet is"
-Nas
"Hip Hop will simply amaze you
Praise you, pay you
Do whatever you say do
But black, it can't save you"
- Mos Def
Those are both great lyrics, but neither is a punchline. Both great lyrics from all-time great MC's.
Being serious here, im confused. isn't:
Much to success to ya, even if you wish me the opposite
Sooner or later we'll all see who the prophet is"
a punch line?
What's the definition, i thought it was just a sick end to a verse, which both those seem to be.
Too me anyways, a punchline is kind of like a joke you can tell at a party, usually flipping the meaning of words.
It should be able to stand alone, shouldn't be longer than 3 lines top, and usually its kinda funny.
Some artists use it a lot, some don't. Mos Def isn't a big 'punchline' guy.
Like look at Ms Fat Booty, Mos Def's biggest single.
http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/mos_def/black_on/fatbooty.mos.txtHe's a story teller, a talker.
Then look at like "Can't Knock The Hustle" by Jay-z
http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/jigga/doubt/knock.jyz.txtHe makes a lot of his living on flipping the meaning of words, usually in a tongue in cheek manner.
All Kanye's raps are basically punchline driven, especially tracks off "College Dropout".
Just because a rapper doesn't use punchlines doesn't mean they couldn't, or they can't be amazing rappers...its just kind of a style thing.
Lil' Wayne also uses punchlines a lot..but nobody knows what the heck he's talking about.
EDIT: Its kind of like playing the dozens or doing 'yo momma' jokes...
Line one: Setup
Line two: Joke
Yo momma's so stupid,
She thinks a quarterback,
Is a refund.
If it rhymed, it would be a punchline.