GHOSTWRITING IN HIP HOP

GhostWriter by Skillz

Ghostwriting is a very controversial subject in hip hop, with a lot of people viewing the increase of ghostwritters in hip hop as the “perversion of hip hop”, but few people know that ghostwriting goes back as far as the classic rap track by Sugar Hill Gang “Rappers delight”, which is considered to be the first rap record. Big Bank Hank a member of the Sugar Hill Gang had his verse in the song written by Grand Master Caz of the Cold Crush Crew. Caz never received credit for his contribution to the song and is regarded as the first hip hop ghostwriter.

Ghostwriters never receive credit or any writer’s royalties for their work. They are considered, work for hire. In most cases they are paid to keep quiet about their involvement in composing a song. In some cases a rapper will write for another rapper and receive full credit and royalties, an example would be Rhymefest contribution to Kanye’s “Jesus Walks”, but this isn’t ghostwriting because the credit is given.
Rappers like Dr.Dre and Diddy are said to have used ghostwriters to write for them, but they get away with it because they are recognized as producers more than rappers, other rappers like Will Smith, Lil Wayne, Foxy Brown and Mase have been rumoured to have also used ghostwriters.
In 2000 a ghostwriter named Skillz dropped a track called “Ghostwriter” where he named rappers he had ghostwritten for which included Diddy, Jermaine Dupri, Will Smith and Foxy Brown. While other rappers like Jay-z and Nas have publically admitted to ghostwriting for other big performing rappers.
Chuck D of Public Enemy has stated that he doesnt mind ghostwriters in hip hop, saying "...not everyone is equipped to be a lyricist and not everyone is equipped to be a vocalist.” While American Dj, Dj Bee has said “As a person that lives the hip hop culture, I don’t like it, I can’t have a ghost DJ, you can’t have a ghost B-boy, you have to be there doing it, you can’t have a ghost graffiti writer.” Bee believes that ghostwriters should at least be given the writing credits on their compositions.
I personally feel that ghostwriting is deceiving and fake, if a rapper is getting someone to write for them then that person should receive the credit that they deserve, not get paid off to hide the fact that they wrote your verse.
*The game needs change and Im the muthafuckn CASHIER*