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Is Lil' Dicky One of the Most Underrated Rappers?

More than just the musical love child of Weird Al and Eminem, Lil' Dicky may be one of the most underrated rappers in the game.

By Annie KielyPublished 7 years ago 3 min read
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Even if you love a few of his songs, it can be easy to dismiss Lil' Dicky. This white rapper emerged out of no where, and has made no secret that his background is very different from many others who have found fame in rap. His comedic choice of lyrics can be distracting as well, making you forget just how intelligent the rhymes really are. Some people even tend to dismiss his talent because there is often a humorous tone in a genre that is often very serious. With the release of his new video for Pillow Talking, more and more people are noticing Lil' Dicky for the creative genius that he is.

Lil' Dicky's Lyrics

If you take the time to listen to listen to Lil' Dicky's lyrics, you'll realize that they are intelligent, hilarious, and on point. It can be easy to dismiss the actual skill level, when at first you might assume you're listening to a parody of some kind. But under this humor is some really intelligent word-play and rhyming that puts Lil' Dicky on par with some of the best emerging rappers today. See just one example of what Lil' Dicky does in the song Pillow Talking. This fun, smart song about a one night hookup is easy to dismiss as simply comedic, but Lil' Dicky uses this scenario to lay out a fairly complex conversation between two people.

What if tomorrow is the day.

That the fucking aliens cameAnd invaded our nation?Like, would we even be able to fuck with their shit?

Like do we have the type of weaponry to fuck with their ships?So not at all, like would they just walk up in this motherfucker

Laughin' at us, and blastin' at us

And makin' everybody disintegrate and assimilate

Some people will never get into the comedic style that Lil' Dicky offers, but whether it is your style or not, there is no denying the sharp wit, intellect, and story-telling ability that are apparent in every song.

Lil' Dicky's Performances

Even music critics that once doubted Lil' Dicky have had to grudgingly acknowledge his amazing live performances. Praised for his banter, long showtimes, and mix of song selections, fans are quick to hype a Lil' Dicky concert as an incredible experience.

Another element that fans love is the fact that Lil' Dicky will often choose emerging rappers he loves as his opening act, taking the time to nurture new talent and help them to build their audience.

He has even taken some notes from other performers like Adele, often inviting fans onto the stage to participate in the show in some way. Super fans looking to get up close and personal with their favorite rapper won't ever be disappointed by a Lil' Dicky show.

In the days of auto tune and easy music money, it is rare to see a performer who is as good live as they are in recordings.

Lil' Dicky's Beats

Lil' Dicky admits himself that he began rapping to get attention, and did not intend to become a serious artist. That said, it is clear that he found some raw talent, and this has been clear in every part of his music. Lil' Dicky is praised for his performance and his lyrics, but the music he mixes and selects for his album are also pretty impressive. The beats are deceptively simple, but always have the perfect tone and rhythm to get your head bouncing. Even those who aren't fans of Lil' Dicky's lyrics have had to grudgingly admit that his beats are catchy.

An advertising background has obviously helped to contribute to the success of Lil' Dicky. He knows what he is selling and how to sell it, and this is so apparent in the videos he has produced. Dicky first became internet-famous when his video for "Ex-Boyfriend" was released, and went viral within a day. People loved the premise, the video, and most of all, the song.

When he released the video for "$ave Dat Money," and hadn't spent a dime on it, his audience grew even larger, and people were on the lookout for more songs and more work. The mastery of Lil' Dicky's videos are undoubtedly part of what has helped him to build such a successful career so quickly.

We get it. It is easy to under-rate a white rapper who has emerged admitting he was raised in complete comfort and luxury, especially when humor is his main topic. But keep in mind, we aren't talking about how we feel about his attitude. Talent is talent, and Lil' Dicky has it in spades. From his lyrics, to his beats, to his videos, it is clear that Dicky is one of the more talented names to emerge in rap in recent years.

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About the Creator

Annie Kiely

Annie Kiely is a freelance writer, editor and researcher who lives in the 'burbs of Toronto with her pets and her partner. Annie is an advocate for wellness, mental health education, and literacy. She loves animals and gardening (and food).

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