Not That Bad Explained

I can sum up the most common theme in hip-hop music with one word: braggadocio. Pardon the SAT vocabulary, but that’s the best way to describe the lyrical content of almost every rapper I hear. It’s almost guaranteed that you’ll be told how great the rapper is, how all the haters are fools, and how other MCs are trash.

Arrogance really is the most widespread topic in hip-hop, which is why I thought it would be hilarious to write a parody about my mediocrity. So like in “Ice Water,” I focused on writing opposite sentiments to prevailing practice.

There were two main components I needed to deal with in “Not That Bad.” The first is that MCs so often claim that they’re the very best and no one else is better. I had two options in writing a response. I could have rhymed about how I don’t think I’m any good at all, but it seemed to me that a rapper who actually felt that way wouldn’t be rapping at all. So I chose to flow on how I’m decent, but there are definitely others who are better.

The other thematic component is dealing with the complaint that everyone else is terrible. The number of sucka MCs has reached epidemic proportions according to most rappers, so I take this opportunity to commend the other mic controllers out there. You know, because they’re really pretty good.

I’m honored to be joined in the song by 909, who spits his own satirical piece on the last verse. So now the next time you want a hip-hop joint to throw on that’s not filled with boasting, you won’t have any trouble finding one.