You never really hear people who are not mathematicians call a mathematician “a genius”; unless they heard other mathematicians call them that, first. Why? Because “genius” is best defined by those in that field. They are the ones that understand the complexities of that specific occupation or culture.

A “genius” sees or does something no one before them has seen or done before. They do something first, and they make that thing a new “matter of law” or the “goal to achieve”. It becomes a new way of doing things, OR it is something that other people in that field WISH they could do, but can’t quite pull it off. It often becomes an “aspiration”.

You would often hear professional athletes brush off critics because they “never played the game”. They don’t understand the complexities, and what goes into it. They just sit back at home and watch the games. So, realistically, how could they say who is “the best”; the “G.O.A.T.”?

The same thing could be said about everything; but since my focus is hip-hop, that is going to be the focus of today. Let’s get into it.

Marley Marl invented “boombap” style. It was something no one else was doing. Every other rap act used a drum machine or an instrumental (live band) like Sugar Hill Gang did. Marley Marl, however, took small sampled classic drum sounds and patterns, manipulated them, and created a whole new sound that is still done today. That’s “genius”. He created a new rule of thumb. He created a culture inside of a culture.

Kool Moe Dee reinvented rap cadences which separated him from everyone else at that time, and changed the landscape of delivery. That too, was “genius”.

Let me move the needle up a decade plus, to J Dilla. His MPC3000 is now displayed behind a glass case at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Dan Charnas teaches a course about Dilla, which is how his book originated, as an associate professor at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York. University.

One of the foundational Dilla myths is how he arrived at his signature sound, in which the rhythm can feel off, different or just wrong. Some have said it was a failure to quantize his compositions, a feature in digital recording that eliminates human error and puts the timing of drum beats in their “correct” place.

Charnas explains that Dilla’s process was more complex and that he took multiple steps to purposefully accentuate the sonic effects of error. The result was a fresh rhythmic feel that Charnas labels the titular “Dilla time” — differentiating it from straight time and swing time, the two rhythmic patterns that defined Western music. Dilla’s explanation for his innovation? He would just say that’s how he nodded his head.

Dan Charnas, by the way, is a writer who penned the book “The Big Pay Back: The History of The Business of Hip-Hop“, traces Dilla’s influence beyond hip-hop and soul, as it extended to pop, electronic music and jazz. His imprint can be found in songs by artists like Michael Jackson, Flying Lotus, the 1975 and Robert Glasper. (“Dilla Time” reveals that Dilla blew off potentially working with ’N Sync, twice.) Sometimes Dilla’s impact has been circuitous. He inspired young Los Angeles jazz musicians like Terrace Martin and Thundercat. Then Kendrick Lamar had those artists work on and expand the palette of his landmark 2015 album, “To Pimp a Butterfly.”

I said all that to say J Dilla was “a genius”. And like mathematicians, the only ones that really realize that, are other producers and beat makers.

Kanye, on the other hand…not so much. Let me expand: Like I said, J Dilla was “a genius”. He reinvented the art of chopping, and changed “rules” in drum patterns and production. Quik was an underrated genius with his engineering. Even Dre is a genius because he LITERALLY created legends of the individuals who he produced. He put the sounds together (voice, beats, and melodies) to make classic music.

Just because Kanye SAYS he is a genius, doesn’t mean he is a genius. That’s a Jedi mind trick. Who or what has he innovated or better yet, reinvented? I could give him the chipMunk style of speeding up voice sample, but nothing other than that, he’s “inspired”. He’s some people’s “favorite producer”, but “genius” isn’t merely “inspiring”. What he has done, is carry on from those that inspired him. Kobe was inspired by Jordon. People who didn’t see Jordon play, was inspired by Kobe; like LeBron. The players a decade under, HE inspired. What has Kanye changed and made other people do? Speeding up vocal samples. Does that qualify? He isn’t the best rapper, best writer, best beat maker, best producer, best engineer, and is arguable the worst fashion designer who has ever received a contract (thanks to Trump). He’s not even “the best” business man. And before you say “but he’s a billionaire“, follow the money.

He was in debt to the sum of over $50 million dollars up until 2016. He couldn’t get anyone to pick up his clothing line (“you don’t have the answers, Sway!!!!”), and was even begging Mark Zuckerberg on his birthday to “invest” a billion dollars into him. But thanks to PPP loans, Kim’s investments, and The Gap “suddenly” agreeing to back his clothing line after multiple years of rejection, up until he put on the infamous red cap, I stand by my “he’s not the best business man” statement. Then he plugged with Joel Olsteen, who some would call the biggest religious con man with a pulpit, he began charging outrageous amounts of money to “Christians” for various events.

Every dollar ain’t a good dollar. Kanye is the best at saying he’s a “genius” though. After all, he did crown himself the new “king of pop” immediately after Michael Jackson’s death. He is also a genius at saying stupid stuff to stay relevant. But….those aren’t qualities everyone is trying to obtain. A “genius” makes people copy them; not talk about them. If that were the definition, then the “cash me outside girl” was “a genius”, as well.

My opinion? Stop throwing words like that around. They diminish the definition, and take away from the true geniuses who blessed us with their many contributions.

….I said what I said.