I’ll be honest and say I’ve jumped the gun a few times with certain rappers. Dismissed them early on in their career only to come back later and decide they’re not too bad or even become a Stan for them. My list:
• Drake: Honestly could stand Drake at the beginning of his career. I thought he was whiny and So Far Gone was overhyped. Over time though, he just became undeniable. Nothing Was the Same was the album that won me over, and after that…nothing was the same lol.
• 21 Savage: Thought he was another simple minded “ain’t talking about nothing” rapper with Savage Mode. What initially made me see him differently was his first interview at The Breakfast Club. Then, when “a lot” came out (especially the video), that’s when I really started paying attention to him…Been rockin’ with him ever since.
• 2 Chainz: Kind of similar to 21, just thought he was a joke. Even his name was a joke to me🙄…Over time though, his consistency, punchlines, and charisma are what won me over. Once I learned to not take him seriously, it allowed me to just enjoy the fun in his character.
• Lil’ Yachty: He came out during the height of mumble rap, and on top of that, had a goofy image and an annoying marshmallow voice. Wrote him off expeditiously! He was a part of a new school of hip-hop that I felt didn’t have any respect for their elders or the art form itself…He disappeared for a minute, then my boy played “T.D” (Lil Boat 3) in the car one day. I liked it, and that made me listen to more. Ever since then, he’s rebranded and made respectable moves, especially with his album Let’s Start Here and latest collab joint with James Blake. Now, I like the guy.
• Tyler the Creator: Don’t care what anyone says, first couple albums from him were crazy…And I mean that in the worst way possible. He was really on some other sht and I didn’t want nothing to do with it. I did like “Smuckers” off *Cherry Bomb, but that was it…until, Flower Boy. He, admittedly, changed his song writing process, started to work with some dope producers, and honed in on his own style. Been incredibly consistent ever since. Also, watched a couple interviews with him and like where his heads at. Love the dude.
All in all, some rappers were just a case of me being too judgmental and jumping to conclusions prematurely. Other times, it’s because they rebranded their sound/image which is what made me change my mind.
Who are some of yours?