Rappers, ranked by the number of unique words used in their lyrics:
For the full breakdown check it out here: Rappers, sorted by the size of their vocabulary
A few interesting notes:
#1 - Aesop Rock
When I first published this analysis, I excluded Aesop Rock, figuring he was too obscure. The Reddit hip hop community was in uproar, claiming Aesop would absolutely be #1. Sure enough, Aesop Rock is well-above every artist in my dataset and I was obliged to add him to the chart. In fact, his datapoint is so far to the right that he should be off the chart (I'm lazy and didn't adjust the scale).
#2, #6, #7, #9, #20, and #23 - wu-tang clan aint nothin ta fuck wit - Wu Tang Clan has a larger vocabulary than Shakespeare
Wu-Tang Clan at #6 is fucking impressive given that 10 members, with vastly different styles, are equally contributing lyrics. Add the fact that GZA, Ghostface, Raekwon, and Method Man's solo works are also in the top 20 – notably, GZA at #2. Perhaps their countless hours of studio time together (and RZA’s mentorship) exposed each rapper’s vocabulary to one another.
#67, #68, #71, and #72 - snoop dogg, 2pac, Kanye west, and lil wayne
Some of the biggest names in hip hop were in the bottom 20%. While Lil Wayne has never been celebrated for the complexity of his word choices, I expected 2pac, Snoop, and Kanye to be well above average.
It's also worth noting that Drake, one of the most popular artists of late, is #83 on this list.
#85 - DMX
At #85 and in last place: DMX. But this shouldn't undermine an artist whose raw energy and honesty were the most memorable qualities of his music.
For the full breakdown check it out here: Rappers, sorted by the size of their vocabulary
A few interesting notes:
#1 - Aesop Rock
When I first published this analysis, I excluded Aesop Rock, figuring he was too obscure. The Reddit hip hop community was in uproar, claiming Aesop would absolutely be #1. Sure enough, Aesop Rock is well-above every artist in my dataset and I was obliged to add him to the chart. In fact, his datapoint is so far to the right that he should be off the chart (I'm lazy and didn't adjust the scale).
#2, #6, #7, #9, #20, and #23 - wu-tang clan aint nothin ta fuck wit - Wu Tang Clan has a larger vocabulary than Shakespeare
Wu-Tang Clan at #6 is fucking impressive given that 10 members, with vastly different styles, are equally contributing lyrics. Add the fact that GZA, Ghostface, Raekwon, and Method Man's solo works are also in the top 20 – notably, GZA at #2. Perhaps their countless hours of studio time together (and RZA’s mentorship) exposed each rapper’s vocabulary to one another.
#67, #68, #71, and #72 - snoop dogg, 2pac, Kanye west, and lil wayne
Some of the biggest names in hip hop were in the bottom 20%. While Lil Wayne has never been celebrated for the complexity of his word choices, I expected 2pac, Snoop, and Kanye to be well above average.
It's also worth noting that Drake, one of the most popular artists of late, is #83 on this list.
#85 - DMX
At #85 and in last place: DMX. But this shouldn't undermine an artist whose raw energy and honesty were the most memorable qualities of his music.