Rhyme and Reason: Public Poetry Slams

The recent flurry of diss tracks between rap artists Kendrick Lamar and Drake has set the internet ablaze. "Not Like Us" and "Family Matters" are the latest battle fought not with swords, but with crafted verses and biting rhymes. Diss tracks, as they're known today, hints at a historic human impulse – to use poetry as a weapon.

Imagine the roar of the crowd in a packed stadium, a modern-day colosseum buzzing with anticipation. Two rappers stand center stage, Kendrick Lamar and Drake, locked in a lyrical duel. This verbal battle mirrors the history of human beings using poetry to take down an opponent.

Historic poets and modern rap artists utilize a mix of raw emotion, wordplay, and strategic bars (or stanzas), all delivered with a captivating rhythm. Think to the iconic scene in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, where Mark Antony, seeking to sway public opinion, delivers his famous "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!" speech, to stir up the crowd against Brutus and the other assassins. Mark Antony, the play’s smooth-talking antagonist, utilizes metaphors and allusions, Brutus, on the other hand, is more akin to a conscious rapper, using logic and reason to dismantle Antony’s emotional appeals.

While Antony and Brutus’ battle lacks the modern-day beatboxing DJ – the rhyme schemes, the rapid-fire delivery, the clever wordplay – it shares a core element: the use of poetry to outmaneuver or discredit an opponent and win the hearts (or ears) of the audience. Even the revered works of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, composed centuries before Shakespeare, can be seen as epic diss tracks, immortalizing conflicts between warriors and gods.

Along the West African coast, centuries before Shakespeare was born, revered storytellers, genealogists, and social commentators, known as the griots. Griots mastered the art of language, using it as a powerful tool, for both praising patrons and delivering sharp critique.

Griots served as a form of oral historians, passing down knowledge and traditions through generations. Like musical artists today, griots were skilled wordsmiths. They employed complex metaphors, witty insults, and rhythmic delivery to captivate their audiences. Their narratives contained subtle critiques of powerful figures, similar to how artists may use their music to address social issues.

Griots held a prestigious position in society. Many villages had their own resident griot, responsible for keeping the communities history alive through stories and songs. They would perform at village gatherings, weddings, funerals, and other important events.

Powerful kings and rulers often employed griots as advisors, praise singers, and historians. The griot would chronicle the ruler's lineage, achievements, and victories, essentially acting as a court propagandist. Griots also held the power to deliver subtle critiques or veiled warnings to the ruler, ensuring a balance of power. Similarly, wealthy patrons employed griots to sing of their accomplishments, solidifying their social standing. 

Their skills were honed through years of training and practice, and there was likely a lot of competition among griots, each vying to be the most skilled storyteller and verbal jouster. This competitive spirit can be seen in the world of modern day rappers, as many compete for attention, respect, and record deals, constantly striving to outdo their rivals with their lyrical prowess, flow, and stage presence. Both poets, griots and rappers use their words and music to entertain, educate, and sometimes even critique society (or each other). While the tools and techniques may differ, the underlying creative drive and competitive spirit are strikingly similar.

So, from Ancient West Africa to Ancient Rome to the modern day, poets and musicians have used their craft to engage in lyrical warfare. Kendrick Lamar and Drake's lyrical jabs are delivered not from mountaintops or marketplaces, but through meticulously crafted verses.

These lyrical battles expose a fundamental human truth: our desire to be heard, to establish dominance, and to prove ourselves. They tap into a historic instinct, using wordplay as a form of combat. But perhaps there's more to it. Perhaps diss tracks, when you read between the lines, serve a hidden purpose. They can be seen as social commentary, reflecting the anxieties and tensions of a generation. They can push artistic boundaries and spark innovation within a genre. Kendrick Lamar and Drake's recent beef is just the latest iteration in this age-old tradition.