How Logic Has Changed the Landscape and the Future of Hip-Hop, for the Better

I started listening to Logic around 2016 which just so happened to be the last year of my education. Found through the predictable post-exam social media scrolling, I found myself looking up the most impactful rap songs of the 2010 era.

Surprise, surprise, Under Pressure was the top of the list and, MY GOD, this guy can spit. The story he told throughout the songs of the grind of the music dream, the pain and torment that he felt at home, and the overall elation of making it and being able to tell your family that you made it. With continuous success seeming to hit him after every project, this rags-to-riches Cinderella story seems to be only creating a new chapter with every passing project.

How did he make Wu-Tang relevant again?

A song that I seem to be listening to a lot on YSIV is "Wu-Tang Forever" which brings back the entire Wu-Tang Clan in all of its nostalgic glory. Now, personally, I've never been one to listen to the Wu-Tang Clan in its prime, just like I never listened to NWA, Nas, or an up-and-coming Jay Z. Being brought up in an alternative Manchester household seems to have that effect on you to find your own sound in the world of music. However, even a parka wearing Gen-X millennial such as myself cannot deny the effect that Wu-Tang had on the music industry in the early 90s. Their cultural shake up of the world inspired a generation to simply stop caring about real-life and enter a world that only seemed to exist in those cheesy Bruce Lee movies. With this new album, Logic seems to have brought back that "Boom-Bap" ish that was born and died with Wu-Tang. It really demonstrates the old school hip-hop that most modern rappers seem to forget. The clarity of lyrics, the definition of beats and the story that is told through the song is undeniable Wu-Tang-esq. A trait that, it seems, has been forgotten in the modern rap and hip-hop scenes.

You could probably say that the reincarnation of Wu-Tang has come through Logic, this shown through his albums Under Pressure and The Incredible True Story. Where both display aspects of story telling and how those events have contributed to the creation of those albums. He goes back to the old school beats, unquestionable flow with said beats and keeping the audience intrigued with every syllable.

A New Rut in the Track

A look back to the first albums of Logic will determine what he was trying to accomplish. It's like the rap version of Jekyll and Hyde, with the studio albums representing the more serious logic. The one that narrates personal stories through deep lyrics and subtle music. The songs that describe Bobby's pain, torment in trying to get into the music industry and the many distractions that this line of work offers, as demonstrated in the song "Nikki," detailing his cigarette addiction whilst recording. The mix-tapes were Logic's specialty. This is how he got into music and were the first projects he created when getting into music, going back as far as 2009 when he first put out music, elegantly named, Logic: The Mixtape. However, Young Sinatra hasn't forgotten his roots and has continued to release mix-tapes projecting the boom-bap and hardcore beats that he was ultimately discovered upon. The Bobby Tarantino albums are, in my opinion, Logic's best work. The flow, the rhymes, the lyrics, the metaphors, the similes, the hard beats, the unwillingness to give any. He raps about what most mumble rappers rap about, but actually being able to tell what he's saying, whilst taking shots at mumble rappers himself, which is just bonkers to me.

Wait, what's the point?

My point is, this style of rapping is going to be mimicked, and should be. It's a style that was forgotten from the Wu-Tang style that took over the 90s. The two sides of a rapper should not be hidden until it comes out in beef and slate tracks. It should be displayed for the world to see and be commemorated in album form that was recorded in a dusty basement. It should recognise the artist's full potential and let the world realise that. This is exactly what Logic does, and more. Whilst doing all of the music, tours, PR and interviews, he still takes time to upload to his YouTube channel and communicate with his fans through Periscope and other social media outlets—be it on tour, at home or at work in the studio. In my time, I have never seen a a rapper commit so hard to a craft than Logic has. To see the effort that goes into this type of grind is truly mesmerising, is a joy to watch and be a part of, as part of the Ratt-Pak. Thank you Logic, for your continued success and participation to this game that I love so much.