Do rappers write their own lyrics?

[Apex]

Originally Posted by Dopamine

I was just wondering if the majority of big guys like 50, Busta, Snoop, JZ, etc. always write their own stuff. Or do any of them employ "ghostwriters". If so, is this a sort of hush-hush thing?

Another question that comes to mind is how much would ghostwriters typically get paid (for hit records), do they ever get points and do they sign a contract that prohibits them from telling people or taking credit?

I would love to know the scoop on this and possibly some examples (not speculation).

In most cases rappers write their own lyrics, I know it's customary in a studio if they get stuck most will ask for some help. Ususally hooks are co-written if theres someone else on the track, that sorta thing, but for the most part most rappers write their own shit, as far as I know. I heard of one case how true it is I dont know, but a group of cats wrote Mack 10's last album. Someone told me Em wrote all of Dre's lyrics on Chronic2001. Who's knows really, I'm sure if it goes on that much it must be real hush hush. I just never met or heard of a rapper that really tried to make it big knowing he can't write. Seems futile.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Apex

In most cases rappers write their own lyrics, I know it's customary in a studio if they get stuck most will ask for some help. Ususally hooks are co-written if theres someone else on the track, that sorta thing, but for the most part most rappers write their own shit, as far as I know. I heard of one case how true it is I dont know, but a group of cats wrote Mack 10's last album. Someone told me Em wrote all of Dre's lyrics on Chronic2001. Who's knows really, I'm sure if it goes on that much it must be real hush hush. I just never met or heard of a rapper that really tried to make it big knowing he can't write. Seems futile.

Jay-Z wrote Dr Dre's parts for "Forgot about Dre"

[Apex]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Jay-Z wrote Dr Dre's parts for "Forgot about Dre"

Yeah that doesnt surprise me, Dre said himself he's not a lyricist. Ah wait, didn't someone ghost write for Kanye too? Damn producers, haha.

[DirtyMan]

busta writes his own for sure .. just to sick ... dre hasnt wrote for himself since he was anti drugs

[Dopamine]

Yeah, I guess with producer/rappers it's a little different. <cough> Diddy <cough>

I just figured there have to be some guys w/ great voices and flow, but substandard lyrical ability.

[filterayok]

Originally Posted by Dopamine

Yeah, I guess with producer/rappers it's a little different. <cough> Diddy <cough>

I just figured there have to be some guys w/ great voices and flow, but substandard lyrical ability.

dont worry if he writes rhymes, he writes checks...take that take that uh huh badboy

[Apex]

Originally Posted by DirtyMan

busta writes his own for sure .. just to sick ... dre hasnt wrote for himself since he was anti drugs

Busta freestyles are better than half the cats that come written. Dre wrote back in the days of The Chronic and NWA

[boodah]

Originally Posted by Apex

Busta freestyles are better than half the cats that come written. Dre wrote back in the days of The Chronic and NWA

I thought Cube wrote for NWA and when he left D.O.C. wrote for them. But I agree Busta is crazy with the freestyle off the dome. Not these prewritten crap that you see on Fight Club and the like, where their man's and em finishing the rhymes.

[Im That Guy]

DMX? Absolutly. Seen with my own eyes.

MH