LUCKI Says Lil Wayne and JAY-Z Partly Responsible for Freestyle Misunderstandings
Chicago rapper LUCKI recently stirred the pot with his latest hot take, attributing the younger generation's confusion about the true essence of freestyling to none other than rap legends Lil Wayne and JAY-Z.
On Thursday (July 4), LUCKI took to Twitter to share his thoughts, claiming that these iconic artists unintentionally misled aspiring rappers by blurring the lines between freestyling and punch-in writing.
"Lil Wayne & Jay Z kinda the blame for our generation being confused on what’s actually freestyling & punch-in writing btw. They didn’t even do it on purpose tho. They’re literally the 2 best rappers EVER…. So yeah they basically accidentally mislead every rapper from our generation to thinking taking your time & writing is a FLAW."
LUCKI Blames Lil Wayne and JAY-Z for Freestyle Misconceptions:
Lil Wayne & Jay Z kinda the blame for our generation being confused on what’s actually freestyling & punch-in writing btw. They didn’t even do it on purpose tho. They’re literally the 2 best rappers EVER…. So yeah they basically accidentally mislead every rapper from our…
— Neptune 🖖🏾🙃 (@FLAWLESSLUCKI) July 4, 2024
This critique touches on the widespread practice among newer artists who often mistake the off-the-cuff, spontaneous nature of freestyling for the more methodical approach of punch-in writing—a technique where artists record their verses line by line, refining each segment as they go.
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LUCKI’s comments follow a 2023 interview where Lil Wayne revealed how JAY-Z inspired him to abandon traditional pen-and-paper writing in favor of rapping directly from his mind.
Speaking on “The Pivot Podcast,” Wayne mentioned that the last time he wrote down a rhyme was for his 2002 track “10,000 Bars,” which is just over 35 minutes long.
Wayne's shift from written lyrics to impromptu delivery significantly influenced the rap game, leading many to view freestyling as an entirely off-the-dome exercise.
However, LUCKI argues that this perspective has inadvertently set unrealistic expectations for newer artists who may feel pressured to abandon thoughtful writing.
LUCKI’s controversial take comes in the wake of his defense of Rich Amiri, who walked out of a cypher for XXL's 2024 Freshman Class.
This incident further highlights the ongoing debate about the nature and value of freestyling versus written lyrics in the rap community.
While legends like Lil Wayne and JAY-Z have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the genre, their influence has also sparked critical reflections on how their methods are interpreted by the next generation of rappers.