Is Future Really The Best Rapper Alive?
Intro:
One of Atlanta’s youngest legends is trending online after dropping his 9th solo studio album I NEVER LIKED YOU. Recently, Future was named the “best rapper alive” by GQ magazine. Some agree with the sentiment while many bring up other names such as Drake, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, etc. Personally, I’d probably give the title to Compton’s hero Kendrick Lamar. However, let’s investigate the evidence & argument for Future’s recognition as the best rapper alive.
Highly Influential
There are too many artists that could be named as direct disciples of Future. He’s up there with Lil Wayne, Chief Keef & Young as being the most influential rappers of the 2010s decade. While artists like T-Pain & Kanye West introduced autotune to the genre on a massive scale, Future’s use of it is what we hear many other artists imitate in 2022 (Lil Baby, Lil Durk, etc.). Additionally, his work with veteran producer Metro Boomin heightened psychedelic drugged-out synths/sounds in Trap that revolutionized the genre.
Classic Album & Hit Records
Another element any GOAT should have is timeless discography. Future is one of few artists that’s been able to have a long-lasting career full of classics (despite not being the most substance-filled lyricist). Many would say his best work dropped during his peak in 2014-2015. The mixtape run of Monster, Beast Mode & 56 Nights is seen as legendary among Hip-Hop fans. He even followed that up with his classic DS2 album & memorable collab tape with Drake. In addition to these classic projects, Future has TONS of hit records (Life Is Good, March Madness, etc.) & runs numbers up on all platforms.
His Versatility & Experimentation
Last, one thing anyone can appreciate about Future is his willingness to experiment with his vocals & try new things on occasion. Granted, he’s still not the most versatile artist at all. It’s not like he really has to be either though as his signature sound works well for him & we don’t ask for much else from Future. He can always deliver either a hard trap anthem, a Pop smash it, or an emotionally melodic ballad.
Still, we get moments like his feature on TDE’s Kings Dead single where he reaches the highest falsetto we’ve ever heard from him. There’s also his recent feature on Rick Ross’ last album where his auto-tuned vocals don’t sound forced over the laidback traditional beat.
Overall:
In short, I think there are some valid arguments to be made in support of Future. I still don’t believe he is the best alive, but he at least deserves to be in the conversation. It’s very hard to deny the impact, influence & classics of Future’s discography. He arguably might be the greatest rapper alive in the Trap sub-genre though; which is still an amazing title. Thank you all for reading, and enjoy Future’s newest album below.
